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Diablo IV returns players to the grim world of Sanctuary, five decades after the events of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls. While humanity celebrates its victory over the Burning Hells and the defeat of Malthael, a new threat emerges: Lilith, daughter of Mephisto, returns to claim Sanctuary as her own. With Activision Blizzard’s recent controversies, the release of Diablo IV is highly anticipated, leaving players wondering if it can revitalize the franchise and rebuild the company’s image.

A Familiar Yet Evolved Sanctuary

alt text describing an expansive view of the Diablo IV game world

Diablo IV distinguishes itself with a significantly expanded open world, a stark departure from previous installments. This echoes the approach taken in Diablo Immortal, but offers a much more liberating experience. Players chart their own course through Sanctuary, engaging with the main storyline, numerous side quests, or spontaneous world events. The open world facilitates organic encounters with other players, creating an MMO-like experience where teaming up to conquer demons is seamless.

For those seeking greater challenges, World Events like Helltide provide dynamic content in designated areas, particularly valuable for character progression in Nightmare difficulty and beyond.

alt text depicting a boss fight against Avarice in Diablo IV

World Bosses offer another engaging activity, reminiscent of Uber Diablo in Diablo II or the world bosses in Diablo Immortal. These powerful foes present a timed challenge, demanding strategic coordination and rewarding players with valuable loot and experience upon defeat. Avarice, the gold-hoarding boss, exemplifies this, summoning Treasure Goblins and boasting devastating attacks.

alt text showing a player character in the Fields of Hatred PvP zone

Furthermore, designated PvP zones called “Fields of Hatred” offer a thrilling change of pace. Players battle each other and monsters to gather resources and purchase unique gear. The “Curse of Mephisto” mechanic adds a layer of risk and reward, marking players for hunts and incentivizing both hunters and the hunted.

With only a portion of Sanctuary currently accessible, Diablo IV promises future expansions and continued exploration of this dynamic world.

Refined Combat and Character Customization

alt text showcasing the character customization screen in Diablo IV

Diablo IV maintains the series’ core hack-and-slash gameplay, enhanced with significant refinements to character customization and combat. The return to a darker aesthetic, reminiscent of the first two games, blends with the build flexibility of Diablo III and revamped character attributes.

The result is a visceral and satisfying combat experience. Enemies are more diverse and challenging, grouped by region and type, each with unique abilities and tactics. Scaling enemy levels ensure a consistent challenge throughout the game world.

alt text displaying a group of enemies attacking the player in Diablo IV

New mechanics like Lucky Hit, Overpower, Fortify, and Vulnerable add depth to combat, influencing damage output, resource management, and survivability. These mechanics integrate seamlessly with the updated itemization system, offering a wealth of build options.

alt text showing a player character fighting monsters in Diablo IV

Class-specific mechanics further distinguish each character. Druids utilize Spirit and Spirit Boons, Barbarians wield multiple weapons with the Arsenal system, Necromancers command the Book of the Dead, Sorcerers employ Enchantment Slots, and Rogues utilize a unique Combo system. These unique systems, combined with a flexible skill tree, allow for diverse builds and playstyles.

alt text of Diablo IV gameplay showing different classes and skills

The Paragon system, unlocked at level 50, provides further customization options, allowing players to fine-tune their characters with powerful bonuses and enhancements. The revamped item system and the ability to extract and apply Legendary Aspects to other items further expand build diversity.

alt text displaying a Diablo IV gameplay screen with the skill tree and character stats

While the core gameplay loop is engaging, the endgame content reveals a potential weakness: a lack of variety.

Endgame Content and Narrative Shortcomings

alt text depicting a scene from Diablo IV

After completing the main campaign, endgame activities primarily revolve around repetitive World Events, Nightmare Dungeons (akin to Elder Rifts in Diablo III), and World Boss encounters. The lack of compelling long-term goals and limited PvP rewards may leave players wanting more.

While build customization is extensive, the impact of individual choices feels less significant compared to previous titles, lacking the “wow” factor that drives theorycrafting and experimentation. This can lead to a sense of homogeneity in builds, with players gravitating towards a few optimal choices.

alt text showing a player interacting with an NPC in Diablo IV

alt text depicting a cinematic scene from Diablo IV

The narrative, unfortunately, is not Diablo IV’s strength. Lilith takes center stage, while the player character feels like a reactive participant rather than a driving force in the story. While the world of Sanctuary is effectively portrayed, the plot itself feels underdeveloped and lacks the compelling narrative hooks of previous Diablo titles.