Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II is getting a re-release on Steam, with improvements for modern systems, so that fans can revisit this classic RPG. Developed by Black Isle Studios as a spinoff to the BioWare RPG series Baldur's Gate, it was well-received on launch, and so here's five RPG mods for other BioWare franchises to get you going!
Dragon Age 2: Re-Imagined
By 4Aces
Dragon Age II is a little divisive as sequels go, with some feeling it departs a fair bit from Origins in its direction. Still a solid RPG, there's some merit to concerns about the change in direction in Dragon Age from 2 onwards, and so it has received many tweaks over the years from modders, and this pack hopes to answer a particular concern in regards to graphical style. Overhauling much of the game's textures and revising the fidelity overall, it's an unobtrusive mod that gives just a little more pizazz to the game.
Crown of Creation
By Proleric
Crown of Creation is a standalone adventure for DAO, set in a very different gameworld (similar to my Enigma Island series for Neverwinter Nights). The emphasis is on roleplay (2-5 hours), with some mature content and occasional combat. There are quite a few puzzle situations, where the player has to figure out what to do without many clues. Without a voiced protagonist, Dragon Age: Origins generally puts more emphasis on player roleplay, and so an adventure playing into this aspect fits handily into the game.
FemShep v BroShep: Duel of Your Shepards
By Exkywor
Faceoff against a Citadel clone that looks whatever way you want. Use custom head morphs, scars, or modded looks. Fight against Broshep as Femshep, or against Femshep as Broshep, or against Femshep as Femshep, or against Broshep as Broshep. Your choices, your battle. This mod changes the Citadel DLC encounter so you face the other version of your nemesis. This was accomplished by editing how the clones are created in the first place, and editing and splicing all the audio lines that mention them by gender.
Cathalan
By Jaevyn
This mod adds a completely new planet to the galaxy map called “Cathalan” with new areas, items, music and storylines to explore. In addition to this, extra things such as being able to play said music through the music tab, unique loadscreen images and screen hints to do with the setting will give you a more immersive and more complete planet than ever before.
Throne of Bhaal: The Ascension
By David Gaider
The Ascension is a mini mod for Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal which modifies the ending, making it longer and more interesting. If you were disappointed with the last moments of ToB, this mod will improve your experience with the game. The Ascension was created by David Gaider, one of the programmers of ToB and expert at the use of Infinity Engine. Even Gaider felt that the ending of the game given by Bioware, wasn't satisfying because they were forced to work under a deadline. So, he decided to show Baldur's Gate II fans what the ending would really be, had the team been given more time.
Opening The Gates
Baldur's Gate is a series of iconic, classic RPGs that began in 1998 with the first title in the series, based on the monumental tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons. With several entries in the mainline games and then a few spinoffs, as well as a threequel coming in 2023 (at current, anyway), they've made a huge impact on the world of RPGs, not least because of BioWare's kicking off of the series. BioWare later went on to make some of the most influential RPGs of all time like Mass Effect, Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age. The Dark Alliance spinoffs, though, were developed by separate studios, with the second title - the one now being restored - being developed by Black Isle Studios, which has since been closed.
Dark Alliance II follows on from the successful remaster re-release
of the first Dark Alliance title in December 2021.
Down Into The Dark
Dark Alliance II's re-release comes with a healthy remaster supporting native 4k resolution monitors, as well as built-in support on handhelds like the Switch and Steam Deck. Releasing on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation as well, you can wishlist the title on Steam here and get your hands on this classic RPG on July 20th.
