Wizards of the Coast has finally given Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance a summer launch date. The highly anticipated co-op RPG is set in the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse and will follow the adventures of author R.A. Salvatore’s character, Drizzt Do’ Urden. Taking elements from Salvatore's best-selling novels, Dark Alliance will feature well-known characters and infamous monsters from the popular tabletop series. Revealed during the 2019 Game Awards, anticipation for Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance has been building for quite some time, but not much was known about the story or what the game would feature before now.
First seen in Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and its sequel, Dungeons & Dragons adventures have made their way to digital gaming several times. The highly acclaimed Neverwinter Nights MMO, as well as Larian Studio’s Baldur’s Gate series, have all featured storylines and gameplay in the well-known fantasy universe. Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is said to follow in the footsteps of its ancestor, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, by featuring intense couch co-op. The game developers have even stated that singleplayer is possible but will be very difficult. The intention was to pave the way back to the traditional style of gaming; friends gathered around the same screen, defeating hoards of monsters and fighting over loot.
In a trailer released by the Dark Alliance YouTube channel, the release date for Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance has been revealed. Fading into a series of flashing images of a Beholder, wraiths, and giants, the trailer sets the stage for the game’s story. Players will be required to defeat waves of terrifying monsters, battling them in coordinated efforts with some of Dungeons & Dragons’ most well-known characters. The trailer ends by revealing the title card for the game, as well as its highly anticipated release date of June 22, 2021.
The Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance website reveals two tiers available for pre-order, a Standard and Digital Deluxe Edition. Pre-ordering the game, even in its standard form, will grant immediate access to the game at launch and allow players in the party to wield a Beholder-themed scimitar, bow, axe, or hammer. The Digital Deluxe Edition adds a few more perks, including a Lich Weapon Set and the Echoes of the Blood War expansion pack.
After Dark Alliance’s unexpected delay in 2020, fans have speculated whether the game would even come out at all. Thankfully, Wizards of the Coast has answered the question with an action-packed trailer and a mid-year release date. Now it's a question of whether or not the D&D-themed title will live up to its long-deferred hype.
The Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance price tag comes as a slight surprise, as the Standard Edition will only set players back $40, which is $20-$30 less than most modern game releases, which could be an indication that the game may not be as large as those games. However, the fact that the game is focusing on could co-op is a good sign, allowing multiple players to experience the game together with only a single copy.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC on June 22, 2021.
Sources: Dark Alliance/YouTube, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance