Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 uses the same engine as the original, which may be good or bad for some people. The good part is the graphics remain the same and still look nice, but the bad is the camera, which can only be adjusted to two height settings. Closer views would have helped to make this game more playable. As for the special effects, they are still spot on, and the fire looks better than ever.

The sound is what one might expect from a role playing game of this caliber. If you have no idea what that might be, think of Lord of the Rings type sound effects (hacking, slashing, the occasional death scream), and some dark, dungeon-like musical tracks. If you can't imagine those, trust me when I tell you they fit this scene well.

The storyline from Dark Alliance ended rather abruptly, but things are picked up right off the bat at the beginning of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2. If you've never played Dark Alliance, don't fear, because the storyline is made understandable through constant references to the first title, and it's not all that necessary to know what the references are referring to.

This time around, instead of picking between a human, elf, or dwarf, you get to choose between 5 different characters. Though these characters are well rounded, spanning the usual classes from warrior to necromancer, you still cannot create your own character. This was a big complaint in the first game, but because the developers wanted specific people in the storyline you still have to deal with the pre-created characters.

Another feature not remedied in this sequel is the limited number of people who can play, which is still stuck at 2. Why there was no support for 4 players like in Champions of Norrath baffles me, and this puts the game far behind its competition. Still, two is better than one.

The core of the game is centered on a couple of different things; fighting and leveling. As you go through the game, you will have to fight your way through a series of levels in many different locations (they're pretty much the same locations from the first game with different names, but they are still plentiful and very unique). Though the story is supposed to drive you through these, your real motive is to level up. This will allow you to kick more ass and in turn go through more dungeons so you can, yeah you guessed it, level up again. This may get boring to some, but if it's your cup of tea you couldn't ask for much more.

A major improvement in Dark Alliance 2 is the new ability to modify your weapons with various runes and gems. This feature makes the possibilities for unique weapons almost endless. If you spend enough time figuring out what works and what doesn't, you will be well on your way to creating some truly awesome armaments.

If hacking and slashing is your thing, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 shouldn't pose too much of a threat. Most of the game is relatively simple if you try to kill your enemies without being overwhelmed. Occasionally there will be a situation where you'll have to run for your life and rethink things, but these are few and far between. With the help of recall potions, which allow you to return to a place of refuge (town, base camp, whatever) this game should be no problem to those with some dedication.

Veterans of Dark Alliance 1 will find the controls in Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 nearly identical to the first game. You initiate attacks in real time, except now they are more varied than before. Single handed weapons, double-handed, ranged, and a weapon in both hands can be used to dispatch enemies. You can also stock a magical spell to be used at the press of a button, and these can be switched relatively easy. The ranged weapons also benefit from a 'laser' line that helps you shoot at a distance.

Running, jumping and blocking are also available to help you defend yourself. Most of these features can be upgraded when you gain levels, and you can also gain new abilities by allocating skill points to them. Some cost much more than others, and you'll never be able to learn them all, so it's up to you to choose wisely between the skills you think are necessary and the ones you think are bunk.

Dark Alliance 2 doesn't offer anything revolutionary, but it does stay true to the original game, good and bad features both. This is definitely not a hardcore role-playing game, but it does combine the necessary elements with a good bit of action to deliver a very unique experience. If you loved the first game, you'll get the same experience from Dark Alliance 2. However, if you're looking for something new, I suggest looking into Champions of Norrath.