Blizzard’s big return to the ARPG genre
Diablo IV was released in 2023 and brought the series back in a much bigger way than Diablo III. It has a large open world, fun combat, and high A/V production values across the board. The game also leans into live service elements pretty heavily, with seasons and the ever present promotion of the battle passes becoming a regular part of the experience. Overall it feels like a mix of classic Diablo atmosphere with modern design choices that some people like and others find frustrating.
Diablo IV Story and Setting
You’re back in Sanctuary and Hell is on the move! Lilith and her father Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred are the main nemesis so far in the story. Diablo himself has yet to make an appearance. (when asked Blizzard devs said “he’s busy”) The story has some real weight, and the lore connects well to older games in the series.
Gameplay Features
- Strong, weighty combat that still feels good after hundreds (or thousands) of hours
- Eight classes with ok , but recently improved skill trees and paragon systems
- Large open world with events and activities
- Regular seasonal updates
- Endgame built around pushing difficulties and chasing loot
- High production quality in visuals, sound, and cinematics
Current State
Diablo IV currently has two expansions released. Seasons drop every few months and frequently overhaul systems or add new mechanics. Blizzard continues to support the game with regular updates. Some of these changes have landed well, while others have been more controversial, like the Season 14 Mythic 3.0 revamp. The game is very much still evolving. As of Lord of Hatred Expansion drop we finally have D2 classics like the Horadric Cube and a COW LEVEL, albeit not as rewarding as the ones in Diablo II.
Why Play Diablo IV Now?
The combat feels pretty good, and the new crafting systems are a step up. If you like big, polished, eye candy games with high production value, D4 is right up your alley. The lore also has real depth, which long time Diablo fans often appreciate. That said, the live service elements can be very off-putting. Core systems are ion constant flux, and it feels a bit like an EA/Beta game at times. If you don’t do well with constant major system reworks and seasonal reset pressures, this might get to you after a few seasons. If you like always having new seasonal mechanics and chasing the meta, there’s a large variety of endgame activates to get into.
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