As you may know, there's a new console-based D&D game about to be released, entitled "Daggerdale".

I've been sent a code to allow me to download a review copy. Is that cool or what?

From what I can tell, the point of the game is simply going to be cooperative hack and slash, which should work nicely on a console. It'll be 4e, but as much as I've been known to pan 4e, I figure it will be a good fit for this type of situation.

I'l let you know my impressions.

Love to know how the game compairs to Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance.

... I anxiously await your report ... what consoles will it be available on?

I know for a fact it's on X-Box 360. Pretty sure it's on PS3 and maybe PC... I've played the Demo, It's ok. I personally think it could be improved upon.

I haven't done a full review of this game yet, and I should have done so.

Here are my impressions (I have the game on the XBOX 360):

The game ads had really touted that this was the first D&D game of its kind to use 4th edition rules. I was looking forward to seeing those rules implemented, to see how they affected gameplay.

The opening graphics are pretty, but they have clearly skimped on these sequences; you get still pictures moving around the screen with narrated text underneath, instead of actual animation. Meh.

Character creation is always one of my favorite points of an RPG. I like to weigh options, tweak builds, play with everything. I was sorely disappointed. In Daggerdale, you get to pick from one of four characters - human warrior, elven rogue, dwarevn cleric, and halflilng wizard (am I the only person that thought halfling wizard was an odd fit? Elves make great rogues, but I'd have figured these roles would be swapped).

There are no choices for personalizing appearance AT ALL. You get to pick a name, and you get to pick among 2-3 choices for powers. And that's about it. Stats are even preassigned.

Single player was entertaining, if not overly deep. Go smash the bad guys while following a very linear quest. Smash barrels and such to pick up gold, potions, whatever. Enjoy the birdseye viewpoint of the action. Mmmkay.

I was really looking forward to online co op play, hwoever. Surely, this would be the highlight?

Not so much.

Matchmaking works quickly, I'll give it that - but instead of placing you into some semblance of a balanced party, the system just throws you into whatever group it feels like. I found my level 2 dwarven cleric in a group with three elven rogues, levels 7-10. I was warped in to the part of the adventure they were exploring... and stupidly, I was able to tank reasonably well against the level 6-10 opponents that we faced. Really?

Not that I like dying or anything, but what is the point of leveling up, exactly?

Gameplay is very repetitive. Mash the attack button. Do it again. Do it another hundred times per encounter. Use other buttons to drink potions or activate your power if your health gets low, or get get bored of mashing the atack button. Hold the trigger for a whopping four more choices (of which I only had one, anyway).

Glitches? Yep. I particularly liked walking into odd dark rooms that had only the enemies illuminated. When I attacked, I would fall down into nothingness... only to reappear inches above the invisible floor, whereupon we'd do it all again.

Do you like mobs of enemies that respawn indefinitely? Then this game is for you! I understand letting the dungeon reset, especially since the game docs seem to act like grinding levels is a good thing. But it would be nice if the level 8 goblins I just killed would stay dead for more than thirty seconds.

Disgusted, I finally gave up on this game. I'm glad that I didn't pay the $15 to buy it. Sorry for the bad review, Atari, but I promised to be truthful.

I will note that my daughter tried the game with three online friends, using headsets. They started together and played together, and had a much better time than I did. That being said, I think that she has possibly played the game exactly two times, so keep that in mind.

This game reminds me in many ways of the original XBOX title, "Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes". The differences? That game came out in 2003, had very slightly inferior graphics, and was tremendously more fun. Oh, and it didn't claim to be 4th edition.

By the way, I couldn't tell that the 4th edition rules really factored into anything at all, except that my character was all but unkillable.

Is this game worth $15? Absolutely, positively, NO. If they drop the price to $5, you might try it out, but I honestly wouldn't pay more.

Tried out the demo and the mechanics seemed terrible. (360) Couldn't enjoy myself.

I've been waiting for the verdict, and it is good to see I wasn't alone in finding its flaws.

Already have it for Pc. If you liked Dark alliance youll like this game. plays very much like dndonline.

this game is nothing like dark alliance, since dark alliance had an awesome story, fluid game play NO glitches ( except exploitable cheats) and a waaay more indepth character building system (picking your skills, stats, spells, abilites)

plus honestly its graphics werent THAT Much worse than daggerdale, and it was on the Ps2!

Especially with any video game or movie attached to the D&D property. I mean I enjoyed BGDA 1 and 2 immensely as well as Atari's other D&D offering D&D Heroes, plus the Champions of Norrath series. After reading your review I hit YouTube and watched other review videos. They said mostly the same thing as you did, Boss although most admitted the grind so prevalent in these games was as addicting as in other games. Had this been released without the D&D tag I might have sprung for it, buuuuuut. . .expectations only go up with the association to the Grand Game. Most likely, according to another reviewer, Atari will release DLC for the game in the future. In the end, I think I'll stick to Torchlight.

Fantastic, in-depth review. As a player of 4th edition, I'm sorry to hear that the first video game based upon it has dirtied it's already murky, trodden reputation, or lack thereof. ^^'

Still, good to know, so thanks for the review, and saving my money.

nice review! i cant wait to play it