Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

55%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,983 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance Game Cover
A furiously entertaining action RPG whose horrible monsters are a delight to slay, whether you're playing solo or co-op.
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"Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance" is an action RPG set in the frozen destroyed city of Braveruck. Players can choose from four different characters, each with unique abilities and skills, and fight against hordes of monsters in real-time combat. The game features a rich storyline, based on the popular tabletop game, and allows for cooperative gameplay with up to four players.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

55%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,983 reviews
story162 positive mentions
stability251 negative mentions
  • The game has beautiful graphics and a great atmosphere that captures the essence of D&D.
  • Combat can be fun and engaging, especially when playing with friends, and the character abilities add depth to gameplay.
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original Dark Alliance games, with familiar characters and settings.
  • The game is riddled with bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
  • Combat feels clunky and unresponsive at times, with issues related to hit detection and animation locks.
  • The matchmaking system is poor, often placing players in games with mismatched levels, making solo play particularly challenging.
  • story691 mentions

    The story in "Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it shallow and lacking continuity between missions. While some appreciate the nostalgic references to beloved characters and the D&D lore, others criticize the narrative for being simplistic and poorly integrated into the gameplay, often leading to players skipping cutscenes. Overall, the game is seen as a hack-and-slash experience with a minimal story that fails to capture the depth and richness expected from the D&D universe.

    • “The story is fantastic, and the cinematics are very good to complement the story.”
    • “The story is good and I look forward to playing more.”
    • “The story itself takes place after the events of the Crystal Shard, by R.A. Salvatore.”
    • “The story is largely non-existent and unless you've read the books by R.A. Salvatore, you won't really care about what's happening.”
    • “The missions are short and shallow, and all access is from a central hub area, making the story feel disconnected and unengaging.”
    • “The story elements are insultingly brief and bereft of content, leaving players feeling like they are just grinding through missions without any real narrative.”
  • gameplay495 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many players citing clunky mechanics, unresponsive controls, and a lack of variety as significant issues. While some appreciate the potential for fun in co-op play and the engaging story, the overall experience is marred by bugs, repetitive gameplay loops, and poorly designed combat mechanics that detract from enjoyment. Many reviewers suggest that the game requires substantial patches and improvements to reach its full potential.

    • “The gameplay is challenging, takes skill to use the character's abilities properly.”
    • “The mechanics and combat of all characters are very clunky.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, I seem to find something new on a map every time I get to experience it again and the boss mechanics become pretty fun especially in the dungeons.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and there is not enough variety, reward or challenge to replay the same dungeons over.”
    • “The mechanics are clunky and busted and don't even bother thinking for a second that you can play this single player.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly clunky and needs a lot of work to compete with similar games on the market.”
  • graphics322 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the beautiful visuals, detailed environments, and character designs, often rating them highly. However, several users report issues such as graphical glitches, inconsistent performance, and a lack of optimization for different hardware setups, leading to a perception of the graphics as sometimes outdated or poorly executed. Overall, while the aesthetics are generally appreciated, technical problems detract from the experience for some players.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and story very good, but with some patch work it will make it more polished.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, but gameplay is meh.”
    • “The graphics are the most polished aspect of the game currently.”
    • “The graphics are poorly done, the gameplay design seems amateurish, and the bugs... my god.”
    • “The graphics look really outdated when you play this game in person and really do look like a last-gen console game.”
    • “Graphics are pretty terrible, I don't claim to have the best eye for these sort of things but boy is it rough, like the lighting is just really really overexposed and the character designs look like they forgot to add in details, their faces look really smooth in a very bad way.”
  • stability257 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting it as "buggy" and "clunky," often describing it as a "mess" at launch. Many have experienced game-breaking glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes, while others noted minor issues that still detracted from the overall experience. Despite some players finding enjoyment in the chaos of the bugs, the consensus is that the game requires significant patches and improvements to reach its potential.

    • “No glitches whatsoever.”
    • “From the 12 hours I have put into the game, I've had the luxury of playing a few bug-free highest difficulty boss fights that led to victory, and man those are truly some memorable moments.”
    • “First of all, the game runs great for me; I know that has not been everyone's experience.”
    • “To this day it still can't handle multiplayer and is a buggy mess.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess.”
    • “It's a broken, buggy mess; wait a couple of months before even considering touching this meandering excuse for a game.”
  • music91 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many users praising the soundtrack as immersive and enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players noted inconsistencies, such as moments of silence during gameplay and a lack of variety in the music, which detracted from the atmosphere. Overall, while the music and sound design are highlighted as standout features, there are calls for more consistent audio integration throughout the game.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “The music fits perfectly and the general feeling you're having when entering the levels is just wow.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the music, sound design, and voice acting are top notch as well.”
    • “You go back to camp and you're greeted by the exact same dialogue, every single time with the exact same soundtrack playing.”
    • “I did notice for a few missions there that no combat music had ever triggered which led to uncomfortable stretches of silence.”
    • “There were entire sections of the gameplay with no soundtrack or background music; I would be hacking and slashing in dead silence.”
  • grinding78 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often requiring them to replay the same levels for gear and experience. While some enjoy the loot grinding and cooperative play, others criticize the clunky controls, bugs, and lack of meaningful progression, leading to frustration and a sense of boredom over time. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate extensive grinding but may deter players seeking a more dynamic and rewarding experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “After grinding for a couple of hours and leveling up, we finish the level only for all of my XP and loot to be lost.”
    • “In a game that is solely about grinding, it is unforgivable that there would be a bug that robs you of experience when you finish a mission.”
    • “Combat is clunky, loot is boring, the endgame/grinding for gear is tedious, and ultimately, it needs a lot of work.”
  • humor68 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the goblin banter, character interactions, and environmental design genuinely funny. While some appreciate the comedic value of the game's bugs and glitches, others feel that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with some jokes landing well and others falling flat. Overall, players who enjoy a lighthearted, chaotic experience with a touch of absurdity seem to have a good time, especially in cooperative play.

    • “The things that the goblins and verbeeg say and the songs they sing are hilarious!”
    • “There's also a fair amount of character in the environmental design and enemy chatter, which is funny to listen to.”
    • “The cutscenes for the game are probably the best part, had a good couple of laughs in some scenes with funny moments.”
    • “I think they spent more time writing the lame, unfunny humor than trying to make this game good.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
    • “I expected clever wit, but instead, I was met with tired clichés and predictable punchlines.”
  • optimization60 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing near-flawless performance at high settings, while others report significant issues such as clunky movement, poor multiplayer stability, and unresponsive controls, particularly for mouse and keyboard users. Many users express frustration over persistent bugs and performance problems that detract from the overall experience, indicating a need for substantial patches to improve gameplay and technical performance. Overall, while some players find the graphics well-optimized, the game's mechanics and multiplayer functionality are seen as lacking.

    • “I am running the game at 4K on max settings, and the performance is near-flawless.”
    • “It is clear optimization time went into development.”
    • “The graphics are great and optimized, can easily hit 144 fps.”
    • “The movement and combat is clunky; it's not optimized for 4K monitors either. Lowering the resolution makes it look like PS3-era Dragon Age.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized for online multiplayer, with constant latency issues and enemies teleporting all around the field.”
    • “Controls suck, menus suck, combat sucks, optimization sucks, overall quality sucks, but somehow I can't shake the gambling addiction pushing me to hunt down more treasure chests.”
  • replayability29 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its variety in difficulty levels and character options, while others criticize it for lacking long-term engagement and being overly grindy. Many feel that once the initial content is completed, the game loses its appeal, especially in solo play, though co-op modes and loot mechanics offer some incentive to return. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, significant issues remain that hinder the experience.

    • “Action packed and awesome replay value.”
    • “Has tons of replayability.”
    • “It's a 4-player co-op beat 'em up, with loot drops emphasizing replayability.”
    • “Not much in the way of quality of life improvements even after quite some time... and now they are pushing 20 dollar DLC for a very incomplete game with no replay value?”
    • “The replayability of this game is absolute garbage; once you've completely run through a mission and all its collectibles, it becomes a bland grind.”
    • “This game is short and the replayability as an individual is pretty dismal.”
  • monetization28 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits a recognizable brand without delivering a polished product. While some appreciate the absence of in-app purchases and microtransactions, concerns about future monetization strategies and deceptive advertising persist, leading to skepticism about the game's long-term value and integrity. Overall, the sentiment reflects disappointment in how the game leverages its franchise for profit rather than focusing on quality and player experience.

    • “I really appreciate that there are no pay-to-win mechanics or microtransactions, which plague our current gaming industry.”
    • “Lots of options for upgrading your character, and none of which seem tied to in-game purchases.”
    • “Combat visually looked clean, and when the trailer guy said no microtransactions, I felt really hyped.”
    • “Clearly a cash grab game.”
    • “Feels like a sad cash grab using a huge fan base to make their money without delivering a decent and polished product.”
    • “This game is barely functional and honestly feels very much like a cash grab by Wizards of the Coast.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic vibes reminiscent of classic titles like Diablo 2, enhanced by beautiful graphics, detailed level design, and an engaging soundtrack that complements the theme. Players appreciate the immersive lore and character behaviors that align with traditional fantasy elements, creating a rich and memorable experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of old-school charm and modern execution, making it enjoyable both solo and with friends.

    • “We love Diablo 2, and this game has vibes that resemble the atmosphere of that game. Plus, the loot and RPG elements are awesome.”
    • “I also love all of the lore and atmosphere of the game; the goblins act like goblins should, and the same goes for the other mob types you encounter.”
    • “It's been made by people who clearly have a lot of love for the source material - as the characters and locations you visit have been depicted with incredible care and attention to detail and atmosphere.”
    • “I also love all of the lore and atmosphere of the game, the goblins act like goblins should and the same goes for the other mob types you encounter.”
    • “The atmosphere: the looks and feels of the environment are on par.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in this game has been widely criticized, with reviewers noting it as mediocre and lacking depth, especially for a Dungeons & Dragons title. Many feel that the character designs are uninspired and fail to engage players, while the overall story and development feel underwhelming compared to other games in the genre. Suggestions for improvement include a remaster that enhances the party system and character engagement, as the current execution leaves much to be desired.

    • “It’s a much older game with pretty much the same concept of this, but the storyline and character development are so much better than this game.”
    • “The best thing to recommend is to release a remaster expansion and completely rework the party system so all team members are engaging during levels and have more character development.”
    • “Leveling feels well-paced and character development does not feel restricted; it opens up fairly quickly, giving me options on how to dispatch the baddies.”
    • “The lack of character development, plot or world-building will probably turn away hardcore D&D fans.”
    • “It just feels about 1/10 of what it should be in terms of story, skill trees, loot, and character development.”
    • “How do you screw up a story when there's years of lore and character development you can use as reference? It just baffles me.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game reflect a deep sense of disappointment and frustration, particularly due to technical issues and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Players express a strong attachment to the game's story, highlighting their investment over the years, which makes the current state of the game feel like a heartbreaking letdown. Despite some appreciation for the effort put into the game, many feel that the emotional connection is overshadowed by its flaws.

    • “The small touches make it feel like people really cared and wanted to make a good game.”
    • “This is a heartbreaking disappointment for me.”
    • “I initially purchased this product instead of going the Game Pass route for a couple of reasons: one, I wanted to support a game that centered around a story I've been emotionally invested in since I was a teenager; two, I like to keep all my games in one launcher if I can help it.”
    • “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me at all.”
    • “I found it hard to connect with the characters; their struggles felt superficial.”
    • “The game tried to evoke feelings, but it often fell flat and left me indifferent.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

58% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
4-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 55 analyzed playthroughs

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