"An Underrated ARPG!" - Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance Retrospective Review (Development/Analysis)

Thank you for watching!
What were your thoughts on the game?
Video Note: Game Key Provided by Developers
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Game Development Sources:
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www.ign.com/ar...
www.ign.com/ar...
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#DarkAlliance
#Baldur'sGate
#ARPG

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Time Stamps: Intro: 00:00 Development: 01:32 Gameplay Discussion: 04:29 Conclusion: 14:42 Thank you for watching! If you want more ARPG videos, here is one I did on Justice League Heroes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn6rgHWEZdJkb7c Along with this game's very fun Sequel in Dark Alliance 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmmvg2t5bbt0eZI

[@derekmaldonado4672]

I love the enemy variety of this game. The dog and lizard tribes had better mobility to pursue you while you try to run away. The monkeys would set up ambush sites and traps. Zombie enemies lose their combat capabilities when you dismembered their arms and head. Skeletons were more bulky but also had disruption weaknesses which resulted in kill on critical hit. Ranged enemies tried to find you if you’re out of their line of sight.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Lots of different things to kill lol

[@oghren6617]

Dark Alliance 1 & 2, Champions of Norath and Champions Return to Arms And Dragon Age Origins will always have a special place in my black heart lol

[@KhunShawn]

11:41 my first Videogame crush and why turquoise is my favorite color

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Lol

[@Paul_McSeol]

Really nice retrospective! I remember this game very fondly. Thanks for the video.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Thank you :) What made this game memorable for you?

[@karadanianoI]

i tried this game for the first time back in the pandemic lockdown and i fell in love with it instantly. i never was a fan of the ARPG genre or beat'em ups for how repetitive they tend to feel but this game has so many different locations and setups, that help this world feel more real and alive. many people complain about its difficulty but i think its part of its charm. you can beat any mode if you're patient enough and you can always import your leveled up character to a new game if you feel you got stuck.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Awesome :)

[@xxhogarthhugesxx1170]

Currently playing through with my younger brother and I never realized how unforgiving the combat can be Don’t get me started on the wolves in the mountain regions 😭

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Get good lol jk! Yea this game is tough!

[@nichmcintosh2699]

The fourth character can be accessed by holding i think l2 + r2 and selecting anyone at the new character screen! Youll be really overpowered at the start, and the theives wont knock you out at the beginning! I picked up this game at a garage sale as a kid and never could finish it but I loved using that cheat to play around in the game 😂

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Cheats are great :)

[@nichmcintosh2699]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 honestly some of my fondest memories are using cheats to fool around in games, I wish modern games had more of that kind of freedom

[@harrywright2408]

I had this on the ps2 and then I got the remaster on my switch. I love playing it on the go. ❤

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Awesome!

[@paladin276]

I ALWAYS turn the sorceress into an eldritch knight. This games legit, my childhood. My brother, my dad and I played this for HOURS while I was growing up.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

It is a good path!

[@omnissiah4434]

Dude it's a Fukin game, no one asked you to write the story of your life. I played it with my father my brother my grandma my grandpa blah blah blah. Get a life.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

@@omnissiah4434 you’re a douche canoe Personal nostalgic stories are great to hear when I cover these older games

[@Sbeve_One]

My favorite game of all time and always will be everything about this game was amazing and perfect back in the day and it still holds up to this day I really hope they revive this gem

[@jdsd744]

😢what do you think of baldurs gate 3 my friend?

[@Sbeve_One]

@@jdsd744 phenomenal can’t tear myself away from it!

[@TheBagManGamer]

Please make Retrospective videos for the Champions of Norrath and Untold Legends series, too!

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

I’ve been thinking about that 😉

[@daver7178]

Great review. Next up, Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance II!!!

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

I might need to cover that one as well! Cant leave you all hanging after one 😉

[@Nathan-i8p]

Just beat the game. Thought the last boss was a little to easy and game was kinda short for a rpg but a fun to play over all. Looking forward to playing number two.

[@88Opportunist]

I don't know how underrated it is given it got a re-release this year, that generally doesn't happen for underrated games. And a spiritual successor.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Maybe, but so did Vanquish and other great titles that deserve more attention

[@derekmaldonado4672]

Maybe because the newest game came out and this new game is what the newer fans of D&D would think whenever they think of Dark Alliance. If this new D&D game continued the story arc of how the 2nd one finished and stayed true to the original formula, I think it would’ve had even more recognition than it does even after its rerelease.

[@orbitgabby]

My favorite game to play as a kid!!

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

@@orbitgabby great time in gaming!

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

A very solid retrospective! 🔥💯🔝

[@SourRobo8364]

I wish Marvel and DC made more ARPGs. Ultimate Alliance 3 didn't quite fix that itch, and DC gave up after 1 try. Feels like they missed a great opportunity. Like a Justice League Dark ARPG or a Suicide Squad version.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Yes!!!! More!!

[@arinelliott9124]

I love the music in this game

[@ramsram2418]

Nice work 🎉

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Thank you :)

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

11:50 I actually liked the story . Especially the start It wasn't this cliche story with a character that wants to be a hero knight , does a lot of good deeds and in the end he becomes a hero You are just some random regular all dude or gal that tries to make a living in the big city of baldurs gate when suddenly a group of thigs steals your fortune and you make it your mission to get it back . Once you get it back ( pretty soon if you ask me ) the game passess the ball to you where it basically tells you that a real threat is coming towards both you and baldurs gate . It gives you a new purpose and makes you wanna go for it

[@riccccccardo]

No one ever talks about this game? Think I should get it on GameCube.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

It’s fun

[@riccccccardo]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 I’ve ordered it now and got it have no idea when I’ll play it I like playing with others.

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

Am still mumbling the music from the bar

[@mickyhansen6869]

One of my favorite games from back in the days, I just wish they would give the re-release / remaster a decent trophy list (really really really weak) and re-release / remaster the 2nd game. The couch co-op is great and almost as good as diablo 3's. The fact that it allows both players to see inventory or shop at the same time (something diablo 3 can't do in couch co-op).

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

This is a gem! I do agree the trophy list was very easy!

[@blakejanssen1135]

Isn't that 2nd song from dragons dogma?? Either way sound track is great

[@Ghost-ul8eu]

when I picked up Baldurs Gate 3 I was curious if these games were available because I grew up with the first one. I was very happy to play this again I managed to beat Extreme Mode for the first time which was very painful especially with the dwarf who has no good ranged options fuck the orb of the undead. Use the sorcerer for extreme mode not the dwarf.

[@TheJacklikesvideos]

BG:DA's biggest weakness was the superior ARPG's that came before it. it was a great game, only after playing the life out of works like diablo 2 and dungeon siege. dark alliance didn't really do anything groundbreaking.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

I counter that with its biggest weakest is that it ends!

[@TheJacklikesvideos]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 that's true i was upset when it was over. the dark alliances are definitely underrated in the fact that there isn't much youtube content about them, so thank you for this. i'm thinking about replaying it and playing 2 for the first time so it's nice to have a review.

[@dsambernardo]

Joe how about a review on neverwinter nights enhanced edition? (Or the original)

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Maybe at some point! I played it a bit when I was younger. Was the recent release on PS4 any good? What do you love about the game? :)

[@dsambernardo]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 Well its a typical remaster with not so much improvement. Includes al DLC at the time. In my opinion, it still remains that old classic feel with that old graphics and atmosphere. Also the background story with a complete history of the world you are in, is only matched by games like elder scrolls or dragon age.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

And is it related to that free to play mmo never winter or two different things?

[@dsambernardo]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 no, this is like "the original one", single payer only. The MMO is based on this one but they are different games. If you have played dragon age 1 (not the two sequels) it has the same feel. A game made with love, more based on telling a true story and epic adventure rather than a refined gameplay or awesome graphics. In my opinion, that special sense with the 90's and 2000 games will never be matched. That special feeling whilst playing during the night on the PC with this kinds of games. The "remaster" is more a port than a remaster, but I think it gives the opportunity to new players to play a true RPG game. Give it a try Joe ;)

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

@@dsambernardo thank you for the info! I do love Dragon Age Origins

[@JazzyUnderscoreTrumpeter]

Fabulous

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

:)

[@wolfenstein12]

Why did you have to make such a good case for this game!? Now I have to part with 29.99 USD for the steam release.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Lol! I will not apologize for talking about great games!

[@Solus1994]

Love this game

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

It is a solid and very fun game! What do you love about it!?

[@Jonazzz]

Cd projekt started working on the pc port, but someone warned them that "Interplay is going bankrupt, so stop everything you are doing"

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Ahhhh! I didn’t know that part of it!

[@derekmaldonado4672]

Yes. This is what ended the dark alliance saga, if you completed the 2nd game there’s also a hint of a part 3 that was in the works. The games sold pretty well for a console title, enough to make a 3rd installment. But not enough to save interplay.

[@civilwarfare101]

Are the save points plentiful at least? I hate doing large amounts of content again after dying.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

They are pretty well paced out. Usually a save point at the start of a new location. Some times one at the end or middle as well.

[@civilwarfare101]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 What are some mandatory tips for first time players to make the game less frustrating?

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

@@civilwarfare101 grinding helps. To do this you need to start a new game and import your prior save. The campaign progress is reset but your character is not

[@civilwarfare101]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 Is it faster in that than just killing weaker enemies?

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

@@civilwarfare101 it is just an option and the only way to grind. After you clear an area In the campaign the enemies do not respawn

[@baumapfel4463]

Still waiting for the pc release

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

I think it is coming to pc, just no date yet

[@timothyconrad2024]

Is this a 4 player game

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Two players

[@gawaniwhitecrow2731]

Good 👍

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

:)

[@zopelix1870]

Just started playing this seems good so far but really hard

[@simounobrien9096]

Play as the Sorceress, Save up your points for Ball of Lightning and by Level 7, Get it and your in for a breeze.

[@richardrahl2685]

😂😝 just ordered this game through Ebay. Im excited.

[@redeemedfoe4375]

This is Dark alliance 2 not 1

[@Vokdor1]

No

[@OspaykO]

"Unexpectedly, in 2022..." ...wut?

[@bossaddict08]

Underrated? I think everyone loved this game.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Everyone who plays it! But it rarely gets brought up!

[@BobExcalibur]

I remember seeing PC gamers seeing the comparatively tactically rich and narrative driven Baldur's Gate series they loved getting an overly simplified Diablo-esque game under the same label and lamenting this as a sign that eventually the filthy casuals would despoil the market and cause publishers to pander to the lowest common denominator, leaving those who wanted games with depth with dry ankles in the kiddy pool. How right they were. I'm glad we've had a low roll of CRPG revival over the last five years or so, and ARPG fans have Path Of Exile available on every platform. It was a long drought, but I hope everyone is happier now.

[@supersmashbro596]

the worst thing about this game i can say is that without this game we wouldnt have gotten fallout: brotherhood of steel. not really baldurs gates fault, but still. i do think one issue i can see people have is the design of the female characters. this was in the age where "fantasy girls have big tits with jiggle physics and wear revealing clothing" not to say cheesecake can't exist in a fantasy setting, but when every female is like this you tend to get sick of it. more a problem with the time than anything. i personally don't really care, but i can see people being put off by this.

[@deideisayskatsu]

I mean, the armor you get for Adrianna (I think it's her name) in later stages of the game is basically the same style as the ones the guys wear- and not revealing at all.

[@yurtthesilentgod1225]

I don't get sick of it.

[@langlearnkorean8774]

Honestly it is a bit annoying how you constantly end every line you say with a lower intonation. It makes it seem like your ending a topic of even though you are still continuing.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

I suck at talking lol

[@omnissiah4434]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 Nah he's sucks at commenting

[@TheJacklikesvideos]

vastly superior to the alternative where people inflect all the time like they are questioning every statement as they make it.

[@michaelcoffey1991]

Was fun to see you discuss this. This is in our top 10 (wife and I) and we can only hope an pray part 2 gets a re release, Champions of Norrath, and Yes those amazing PS2 Xmen games too. Thanks Joe for letting your younger fans know about this beloved title. We just heard about it last week and got it for the PS4 before it goes away from PSN

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Thank you :) Yea release all those games again!! Wonderful coop games

[@craigfunk3453]

Well. Dark alliance 2 remaster is soon! Only a few days away

[@michaelcoffey1991]

@@craigfunk3453 hoping it still comes out this year :)

[@craigfunk3453]

@@michaelcoffey1991 its literally set for the 20th of this month. Would have seen or heard of delays by now I would think if that was gonna happen

[@michaelcoffey1991]

@@craigfunk3453 Thank you so Much for the knowledge, Craig is it psn only or also getting a physical released?

[@GamingMyWholeLife]

A fantastic Game and the follow up was awesome as well. A very polished experience and I still think it looks nice even today :)

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Well said! I agree!

[@chriswinspear7965]

Loved this game back in the day, I remember being impressed by the water effects, jump running around like a tit making water trails and puddle splooshes.

[@Alucard_asher204]

I remember playing this when I was younger and since I noticed I can get on the switch I have and it has nothing but fun since I did

[@dzdogg]

Just beat this game for the first time Today(march 21, 2022) and it was awesome. If you played this back In the day, you'd be pumped for Dark Alliance 2.

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

I wish we could get a Dark Alliance 3 😢

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Me too!

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

@@joethealternativegamer3935 🥹😔

[@jeremyhoarau3159]

Ahh the soundtrack ♥..

[@deideisayskatsu]

'you are not gonna play this for the Story or the Characters.' I beg to differ.

[@krane5649]

My fav RPG and PS2 game

[@tony_mke]

Really enjoying your videos. Keep up the great work fam.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Thank you so much :)

[@Aurinkohirvi]

Ah this is the Playstation review? It may be different in PC, gotta go see that.

[@joethealternativegamer3935]

Yes this is based on the PS4 version

[@unsubme2157]

My first rpg game ever. Wow. Shout out to the real ogs with the gba version of this