The PSU Champions series continues and this time they have a title that may not be as well known as their previous ones.
Name: Eric Blattberg
PSU role: Journalist
Age: Cough!
Game title: Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (PS2/Xbox/GameCube/GBA)
Publisher/Developer: Vivendi Universal Games/Snowblind Studios
Release date: 2001 (PS2)
Synopsis of the original game
Dark Alliance is an action-RPG set in the city of Baldur's Gate. You are a lonely hero (or lonely pair if you play through with a buddy) who, right after entering Baldur's Gate, is attacked and robbed by an underground group of villains. The city watch finds you and brings you to an inn to heal up, where you learn the first clues about the terrible evils hiding within the city. From there you set off on your adventure to gain revenge upon the group that mysteriously attacked you, getting into far deeper trouble than anyone could have ever expected.
Why is the original so good?
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance goes back to the heart of action-RPG play. There's plenty of upgrading that uses a deep customization system practically on par with the likes of Diablo II. There are three characters to choose from, each of which play completely differently. The human relies on ranged attacks and stealth, the elven character is a spellcaster, and the dwarf a physical, head-on fighter. Each character has side-quests based on their race, which allows for plenty of replayability. The cooperative play is where the game shines, as playing Dark Alliance through with a friend is a truly fantastic experience.
What would a PS3 remake/sequel add?
Although there was already a sequel to Dark Alliance (Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2), this series needs the next-gen (current-gen?) treatment, for it would add so much to the experience. My immediate thoughts include online play. With this the game could stay true to the original and remain cooperative, or venture into the category of MORPG (Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) with 4-16 people playing online in the same world at once. With all the space available on a Blu-ray disc, the game could be much more open-ended, with many different paths and outcomes within the game, increasing replayability. To sum it up, imagine Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - but good - and you have Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 3.
Gary Green said: Namco Bandai heard the call of many fans asking for the PlayStation release of Tales of Graces which was originally released seemingly exclusively for the Wii back in 2009. If you’re acquainted with the Tales series then Graces f won’t be something entirely new to you, yet if you’re a newcomer then you’ll find a plethora of gameplay mechanics and nuances that distinguish this series from other JRPGs. While the game finds itself following the traditional archetype of JRPGs, such as a somewhat clichéd story, Graces has something to offer to both veterans and newcomers alike.
Huzaifah from eXputer: "Sleeping Dogs from the early 2010s is one of the best open-world games out there but in dire need of a resurgence."
You say "yet" as if it's even possible anymore. United Front Games is gone, along with anyone that made this game what it is
That’s what happens when games sell poorly. And I’ve seen people wonder why people cry when a game sells badly… this is your answer.
Majority of the time it's true but if a company/publisher is big (in terms of money), they can take a hit or 2. e.g. I am not worried about Rebirth sales as Square will make Remake 3 anyway but if FF 17 doesn't sell then Square might need to look for alternative. <-- my humble opinion
Oh okay, Activision owned True Crime, but when that didn’t sell as intended it was canceled. Six months later Square Enix bought the rights and changed the title to Sleeping Dogs.*
*As per Wikipedia
Sleeping Dogs was a sleeper hit back then. It was fantastic. It actually still is. Would love a sequel to this, or at least a revive of True Crime series.
Grasshopper Manufacture's Shadows of the Damned returns this year with a remaster, and Hardcore Gamer got to talk with Suda51 about it, among other things...
I wish they did make a sequel I have no doubt I'd buy one ASAP.
This is what Untold Legends tries to be, but have failed if you read the previews that is.