Diablo 4 Review
A more casual friendly ARPG
Time spent with the game: 100h+ (no tracker available)
Previous experience with the franchise: No real experience (5h of Diablo 3)
Who is it for:
ARPG (Action Role-Playing Games) fans, people who love build crafting and min-maxing in games, those who enjoy grinding the same game for 100h+
Who should avoid this game:
Everyone who doesn't like RNG in their games, people looking for a linear story-focused experience
Alright, let's get straight to the point: Blizzard has taken a more casual-friendly approach with Diablo 4 compared to the older Diablo games. This decision might upset diehard old-school Diablo fans, but it could make more casual players happy. Regardless, I believe Diablo 4 has something to offer for everyone.
If you enjoy ARPGs, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Even if you have reservations about the top-down view, which I must admit I had initially, I urge you to keep reading. Diablo 4 surprised me with its depth and may just change your mind too.
Now, if there's one thing about this game that everyone can agree on, it's the graphics. Diablo 4 is by far the best-looking ARPG on the market. From intricately designed castles to eerie caves and sprawling swamps, the game offers stunning and captivating biomes.
In terms of performance, especially during combat, Diablo 4 impresses. Fighting against hordes of 50 or more enemies is a seamless experience with minimal issues. Of course, I did encounter occasional stutters and crashes, but these are not uncommon in any game. Considering the scale and intensity of the action in Diablo 4, the overall performance is commendable. However, the performance takes a hit while in a town or leaving it, with significant frame drops and my PC struggling to keep up.
While I mentioned that Diablo 4 may not be ideal for those seeking a story-focused game, it doesn't mean the story itself is bad. On the contrary, the game presents a fascinating narrative with superb voice acting and epic cinematic cutscenes. If you're simply looking for an RPG in a fantasy setting, where you start as a humble character and become an unstoppable force, obliterating enemies in your path through dungeons, then Diablo 4 is the game for you.
However, if you're not the type of player who enjoys grinding for better gear, experimenting with builds, and delving into the intricacies of your class and character, then Diablo 4 may not be your cup of tea. The game thrives on these aspects, and players who revel in them will have a fantastic time.
At the time of writing this review, there are certain issues with the game, particularly concerning the endgame content. This affects hardcore gamers more than casual players. Diablo 4 was my first Blizzard ARPG experience, and while I'm eager for more, there are a few lingering concerns that deserve attention.
Endgame content is currently limited, and the game relies heavily on seasons and future content updates to keep players engaged. As more players progress and potentially experience burnout, additional endgame content will be crucial.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room: microtransactions. I'm well aware that the microtransactions in Diablo 4 are purely cosmetic. However, charging players who have already paid $70 (or more for deluxe editions) an additional $20 or even $28 for character appearance enhancements feels unnecessary and greedy. The in-game camera is positioned far from the character, making these purchases less impactful. As long as the microtransactions remain cosmetic and don't turn into pay-to-win mechanics, it won't ruin the game. Unfortunately, as long as there are players willing to pay for these extras, in-game shops will continue to exist. If this were to change, with the ability to buy gold or gear, it would be reason enough for me to discourage anyone from playing.
What to expect:
Diablo 4 is an action RPG at its core and an exceptional one at that. It features a third-person, top-down view and offers five classes at release, with more likely to come in future updates. The classes are as follows:
Sorcerer: A spellcasting, element-focused class.
Rogue: A fast and agile melee or ranged class.
Barbarian: A melee-focused, hard-hitting tank.
Necromancer: A minion-summoning spellcaster.
Druid: A shapeshifter/spellcaster.
Having tried three classes myself (Sorcerer, Necromancer, and Barbarian), I can confidently say that each one offers a distinct playstyle, making it enjoyable to level a new character and experiment with different builds. After selecting your class, you'll venture into a vast open world with an intriguing story, numerous side quests, and additional content like dungeons and live events. Completing the story opens up even more content. From that point on, it's all about annihilating hordes of enemies, collecting better loot, leveling up, and shaping your character.
The good:
Amazingly designed and visually stunning ARPG
High-quality campaign and cinematic cutscenes
Highly rewarding loot system with diverse build possibilities
Excellent replay value, with over 60 hours of gameplay easily achievable for ARPG fans and well over 100 hours for dedicated players
The bad:
Endgame becomes repetitive quite quickly
Certain gear stats feel underutilized, and balancing issues persist
Dungeons, which are a significant aspect of the game, feel too similar
Requires an always-online connection
The ugly:
Outrageous microtransactions, with transmog armor sets priced at $28, which feels excessive for a game with a $70 price tag
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