Initial Review: Dungeons & Dragons Dark Alliance

As a fan of the Drizzt series, video games, D&D, and TTRPGS in general I was super excited for this game. I was a little let down (my own fault) because I thought that couch co-op was coming to Xbox day one. So I had my wife all ready to be player 2, but no luck. I was also planning on streaming a complete playthrough, but I found out when I tested it that my computer couldn't handle streaming the Xbox.

This will probably be a pretty quick first impressions review with a more in-depth review coming once I get a chance to complete the game and play with my wife.

I haven't been able to get in a game with other players - anyone I have connected with have been uninterested in playing and just goof around in the starting area (admitedly I am a little rushed as a new parent my gaming time is quite limited), so I have been playing solo which is definitely not how the game was intended to be played.

I am a little bummed out that when playing without a full party the other heroes don't get filled in with bots, it would definitely make the game more enjoyable. Even if they weren't great if they at least operated in their respective roles that would be great.

Playing solo, I have been Drizzt in every mission. I think I'll play the other characters at some point too, but the ability to call Guen in combat seems helpful for a solo player. Same with the ability to conjure a cloud of knives.

In terms of controls, I feel like the game is a little bit sticky. There are times when I will go to dodge an attack or turn to face an enemy and the game doesn't react quick enough. The same thing goes for parrying it is something I have mostly given up on. In addition (and this could be a purposeful design choice), but when I start attacking and am in the middle of an attack animation and then go to dodge, it doesn't let me until after Drizzt is finished his flurry of attacks. I really wish this wasn't the case, especially on solo when health potions are in relatively short supply. Unless I'm taking on under-leveled areas it is either impossible to skip short rests or else I need to play in a way that is very boring and involves lots of hitting once and then retreating.

Building onto that last point though, Drizzt's Mielikki armor that grants a healing boost when 3 or more pieces from the set are equipped feels like a must for solo play. I'm not sure if the other characters have gear that provides passive healing, but if they do it comes in incredibly helpful when playing alone.

Overall, if you typically like this sort of game and have a group of friends to play with I think this game could be a lot of fun. If you are playing alone, it might not be worth the money at this time though. I'm really glad that I have the Xbox Game Pass and got to play this game without paying full price for it.

Thanks for taking the time to read my initial review of the Dungeons & Dragons Dark Alliance game.

EDIT: I won't be doing a follow-up review, or at least not anytime soon. Shortly after writing this initial review I took a break from the game and haven't felt compelled to come back. I have seen that they have apparently put through many changes, but there are just so many other games out there to try that I think this one will sit on the back burner for a while - or possibly longer.

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