outlet

Having played Baldur's Gate for the PC, when I picked up this game, I was anticipating the D&D experience -- many character races, tons of spells, highly configurable, optional quests, that kind of thing. When I got into it, still anticipating this would come along even with the limited character choice, I got into the graphics and the easy controls, the interaction with the environment, the jaw-dropping water effects. Finally it dawned on me that this isn't supposed to be a hard-core-gaming RPG, it's a console game. I've had my xbox six months and played a lot of crap -- the xbox is starting to come into its own, but you're really kinda limited when it comes to pc-style games (as opposed to the sports/driving/1st person shooter/stupid game-show parody) that seem to dominate the console). This game is a spectacular, simple, rpg. It's a bit short, but the experience is different with the different characters you can play, so there's some replay value. That's an argument for buying it used, but don't miss one of the good ones for the xbox.

Despite the game's title, this game is not at all in the same vein as the wonderful Baldur's Gate PC RPGs. It's a hack-and-slash dungeon crawler, and in terms of gameplay it is nearly identical to Diablo II, but with better graphics. If this type of game appeals to you, great! If you're looking for your RPG fix though, you'll have to get it somewhere else.

Let's start with the good points. The game is pretty fun if you're into hack-and-slash types, especially with two players. Any game with a two-player cooperative mode always scores points with me. The graphics and sound are very good, and the game is easy to learn and easy to control.

There is some replay value to it, as there are some new modes you can unlock by finishing the game. Beat the game once and you'll be able to play a special game mode that puts you in a tough dungeon on a short time limit, playing as none other than Drizzt Do'Urden. Beat that mode, and you unlock Extreme difficulty in the normal game, which is several times more difficult than usual. If you manage to beat Extreme, you can play as Drizzt in the normal game.

There are some bad points to the game, however. It's extremely short; you can beat it in under 10 hours. It's really a shame that the game is not more extensive. Also, as with any game of this type, it can get quite repetitive after awhile. The game is very easy as well. The Gauntlet is really the only difficult part of it. Even on Extreme, I had no problems completing the game quickly.

And finally, although I knew this wasn't really an RPG when I bought it, I still couldn't help feeling disappointed at the great lack of depth compared to many other games that have been set in the Forgotten Realms. I would have liked to see a wider variety of D&D skills and spells brought in, as well. For instance, the Sorceress (and all spell-casting enemies) doesn't have any spell effects aside from direct damage. It would be cool to have things like Entangle and Charm Person available, to have a thief class with all their many skills, and so on. I realize why many of these things were left out, but a little more work on the design could have added a welcome element of strategy to what it is essentially little more than a slugfest.

My list of complaints may be long, but don't get me wrong; for what it is, this game was executed extremely well. If you're looking for a game like Diablo, you will enjoy this. If you want an RPG, you're better off with Morrowind, or waiting until Bioware rolls out their Star Wars RPG this summer. It's better with a friend, so BG:DA scores a few points there. Still, rent before you buy. You could easily beat this game in a weekend, and you might never play it again after that.

this game is like the RPG of the century, good graphics, awsome weapons, and an asortment of spells and abilities. It's best to play as the archer or wizard. but I liked trying to beat the game on extrem to unlock Drizzt. but Drizzt starts on level sixteen, he cannot change his weapons.