Dark Alliance is due out in just a few weeks where it will bring the same sort of cooperative brawling action that Godfall promised but failed to deliver. Can Dark Alliance fulfill the promise of a visually impressive action RPG while simultaneously satisfying D&D fans with a faithful presentation of Icewind Dale? Judging by the latest trailer, things are looking good so far.
Actor Jemaine Clement provides his iconic wit to the new trailer which introduces the story, characters, enemies, combat, and of course, loot. The Companions of the Hall have been contracted to protect the Crystal Shard from a–you guessed it–Dark Alliance of enemy races, including Beholders, Frost Giants, Orcs, Goblins, Trolls, Mind Flayers, and more. They’ve all banded together to seize the Crystal Shard and expand their dark influence over the entire world, and it’s up to four adventurers to stop them.
Those adventurers include Drizzt, a drow with two swords and the ability to summon a ghostly tiger; Catti-Brie, a human ranger who specializes in bowmanship and flashy kicks; Wulfgar, a human barbarian with a big hammer and even bigger muscles; and Bruenor, a dwarven fighter with a “resplendent beard” who “can take a beating and give one back.”
Each of these four heroes has over 50 moves and abilities to learn by leveling up, and each of those moves can be chained together into powerful combos of light, heavy, and special attacks. Dodge, parrying, and counters will all use stamina, while powerful magic and ultimate abilities will use a separate gauge.
There are 30 different enemy types, and even more will be added throughout the year (more on that later in a sec). Loot comes in the usual variety of common, uncommon, and legendary, and none of it can be earned through a credit card. All loot is earned in-game via gameplay with no microtransactions.
Developer Tuque Games is even promising free post-launch content updates, including two DLC drops with new levels and difficulty rankings. In the fall, the Echoes of the Blood War paid expansion will provide a new playable character, new levels, new enemies, and more.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance arrives June 22 on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and it’ll be free to Game Pass subscribers on launch day.
