Diablo III Starter Edition

This game took a lot of years and a lot of patience from its old and new fans before it came to light. Although, once it did, it was one of the best days ever for a very large number of people. Reactions to it are split between the older generation and the new but both converge to the conclusion that Diablo III is a great title.

I’ve put in a good amount of hours in Diablo I and Diablo II made me forget about a few friends one rainy summer so I think it’s best compare what was with what is. When I first logged in and saw the Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Monk, Witch Doctor and Wizard lineup I knew I would miss the Paladin but the Monk was an interesting idea.

Initially I wasn't sure what to expect but I wanted something new, I wanted Diablo III to somehow reinvent Diablo. However, that wasn’t the case. There I was, In New Tristram meaning that I would have to explore a world I was already kind of familiar with. A few hundred meters in and twenty or so minions killed something happened that made a lot of sense and would take away my ‘reinvent Diablo’ though.

The moment that first health potion dropped, making the exact same sound it made in Diablo II, was when I realized that Diablo III is meant to revive the second installment, bring it back to life with a brighter aura of greatness.

It then started to be obvious that the axe in face and lightning strikes were all extremely similar to the previous title. So were most of the other effects and I don't even have to mention that it was nice to hear Deckard Cain’s voice again. Diablo III is Diablo II brought to the newer generation but with an immense overhaul in graphics, new lore and a new story.

A bit disappointing in Diablo III is how easy it is to smash 50 creatures without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re an experienced hack and slash / RPG player or not, your death count in Diablo III might not be that big. Diablo II wasn’t brutal but Diablo III is a walk in park that stretches for four acts. You could play without a weapon, that might make things a bit tougher.

On the other hand, if you enjoy cutting through small, large and huge monsters with grace and brute force at the same time, then Diablo III is very fun. Every character has his or her fighting style and what’s great in this title is that each one can be shaped in a variety of ways to meet different scenarios. Regardless of how you combine them, they will always work so most of the difference will be that one looks cooler than the others. Either way, spectacular massacres are guaranteed.

Visually, Diablo III is almost impeccable and the world around you is teeming with lore and wonderful details. If you’ve played Diablo II, this title’s rendition of Hell is purely magnificent. Heaven is ok too but Hell is where the good fights are.

Just like with the others, in Diablo III you can’t create just one character, finish the game and say ‘Well that was money well spent’. You won’t regret the money and you certainly won’t stop at one character. It’s pretty much how Diablo always worked. You kick ass with one hero you have to kick more asses with the rest of them too.

To wrap it up, whether you’re an old acquaintance of Diablo or a future one, it’s a game you can’t help but enjoy.