The Best Part Of Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance Is Its Story

With its emphasis on co-op and hack-and-slash combat, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance feels like a musou game paired up with a D&D campaign. From character sheets and stats, and easily recognizable armor and weapons, there's a lot for longtime tabletop RPG fans to enjoy, even if Dark Alliance has its flaws. However, arguably the best thing about the game is its story.

Since its release, Dark Alliance has received mixed reviews, with many people citing its lack of polish and bugs as detracting factors. And while the game certainly has its problems, the narrative is one that should be enjoyed by just about any D&D fan. This is especially true for fans of The Legend of Drizzt novels, since Dark Alliance in many ways feels like one of those books come to life.

Related: D&D Dark Alliance: What The Crystal Shard Is

Based on events and characters from the Icewind Dale Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore, the game takes place just shortly after the first book in that trilogy, The Crystal Shard, ends. There are certainly some inconsistencies in terms of what occurs in the Legend of Drizzt novels and what's in Dark Alliance, but fans of the books should absolutely adore getting to see iconic Icewind Dale locations while playing as some of the series' most lovable characters.

Although he's been featured in video games before, Dark Alliance marks the first time Drizzt Do'Urden can serve as a D&D video game's main protagonist. That alone should be enough to get many fans onboard, even if Drizzt's often introspective outlook is largely missing from the game. There's something just inherently cool about dual-wielding his scimitars and calling for Guenhwyvar in the heat of battle.

Dark Alliance's main story, of course, deals with the Crystal Shard - as just about everyone in Icewind Dale seems to want it. This makes for some excellent story beats and brings in some great D&D villains and bosses like Kelvin and Icewind - both of whom have names that longtime fans should recognize. It's these kinds of surprises and fan service that really makes Dark Alliance enjoyable, even when its combat gets a bit too tedious when playing solo.

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance may be a flawed game, but its story is one of the best for a D&D video game. It's a pity that the rest of the game doesn't live up to its narrative, but a lot of D&D fans should still be able to have a good time with it.

Next: Why D&D Dark Alliance Is Better (& Easier) With Friends