Diablo IV Launches This Week, But Is It Good Enough?

Diablo fans have been waiting over a decade for the release of a new Diablo game (The Immortal shit show doesn’t count) and the long-awaited fourth installment is finally launching this week. With its dark and immersive world, vast character customization, and engaging gameplay, the hype for this game is off the charts. But after multiple open betas, and a closed endgame beta, the question remains – is Diablo IV worth it? I’ll take an in-depth look at everything Diablo IV has to offer, from its storyline and gameplay mechanics to its graphics and overall design. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the franchise or just looking for a new game to try out, read on to find out if Diablo IV is worth your time and money.

What is Diablo IV?

Diablo IV is the long-awaited fourth installment of the action role-playing game series developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The game is set in a dark and gothic world where players battle against the forces of evil, including demons, monsters, and other supernatural creatures. Diablo IV is set to be the biggest and most ambitious game in the series yet, with an open-world environment, a new storyline, and enhanced graphics.

Players will be able to explore the world of Sanctuary, encountering new characters and creatures, and uncovering the game’s story as they progress. The game will feature a range of new classes, including the barbarian, sorceress, and druid, each with their own unique abilities and play styles. Diablo IV promises to be a challenging and immersive experience, with a focus on depth and replayability.

Storyline

Diablo has always been known for its dark and gritty storylines, and Diablo IV looks to continue that tradition. The game takes place many years after the events of the previous game, with Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto, returning to the mortal realm. Players will take on the role of one of the game’s five playable characters, each with their own unique storylines and abilities, as they venture through the world of Sanctuary.

The game’s main story will revolve around the conflict between Lilith and the game’s other major character, Inarius, a former archangel of the High Heavens. Along the way, players will encounter a variety of side-quests and other challenges, each with its own unique rewards. If lore is your passion, the storyline of Diablo IV promises to be engaging, richly detailed, and full of surprises.

Gameplay

One of the biggest draws of Diablo IV is its addictive gameplay loop, build options, and an almost infinite amount of that sweet, sweet loot. One of the most cautiously promising gameplay mechanics of Diablo IV is the open-world exploration. Players will be able to explore vast environments, interact with various NPCs, and discover hidden secrets. The game also features a non-linear storyline, which means players are free to take on quests and explore the world at their own pace. It’s hard to say if the open world will be good or bad based on the limited amount of time I’ve had with the game, but I am skeptical, as open worlds tend to grow stale after a wile. I do have one major concern about the level scaling. From what I played so far, the fact that monsters scaled with your current level was definitely NOT enjoyable.

In terms of combat, Diablo IV hopes to be just as action-packed as its predecessors. There are several classes to choose from, each with their own unique skills and abilities. This means that players can experiment with different classes until they find the one that suits their playstyle the most. The game also introduces a new skill tree system that allows players to customize their characters even further. While not as in-dept as Path of Exile’s passive skill tree, I found it to be extremely accessible for beginners, with enough depth to keep veterans happy as well.

Diablo IV’s multiplayer component was fun as well, giving just the right amount of social interaction without going full MMO. The shared open-world feature, allows players to encounter each other while exploring the world, but I never felt like it broke the immersion of the game. All in all, the gameplay mechanics of Diablo IV look promising.

Graphics

Let’s face it, we were all a bit (maybe more) disappointed at the art direction of Diablo III, and that is one of the main reasons I switched to Path of Exile. Diablo IV, however, seems to have gone back to its dark and disturbing roots, with a style much more akin to D2 than its more recent predecessor.

The new gritty art style perfectly captures the game’s tone. The attention to detail is impressive, with each character and environment meticulously crafted to create a truly immersive experience. The game’s lighting effects are also noteworthy, as they add depth and atmosphere to each scene. The UI is well-designed, making it easy for players to navigate through menus and quickly access everything they need.

The game, however, is not without a few bugs. During the most recent open beta, there were some areas that seemed unfinished, and some animations that were a bit whacky. Hopefully the dev team was able to fix these issues before launch.

Is it Worth It?

While Diablo IV has been highly anticipated by fans of the franchise, there are several areas of concern that may be hindering its success. While the ambition of the project is certainly admirable, the repetitive dungeons and level scaling can make gameplay feel tiresome and unfulfilling. Though some fans may still find enjoyment in the game, others may be left questioning whether Diablo IV lives up to its hype. I will be curious to see how the game develops and whether the developers take action to address these issues in future updates.

See you in Sanctuary on June 2!