Wandering around gloomy dungeons attacking endless waves of enemies should be the most tedious thing in the world, but in Diablo 3, it's quite the opposite. Blizzard, with their years of MMO experience, know exactly how to appeal to the obsessive compulsive gamer. By constantly rewarding you with loot and sparkly gold pieces, and giving you a feeling of power over your enemies, the game digs its talons in and never let go.
It's an action RPG, so don't expect reams of complicated stats. The raised camera angle gives it an old school feel, reminiscent of the isometric look of the original games, and the controls are simple, using only the mouse and a few keys. In many ways, it feels like a game from another age. A modern game with retro sensibilities.
POWER UP
But it's when your character levels up, and enemies get smarter, that the combat comes into its own. At first you only have a pool of basic offensive attacks to choose from, but as you gain XP, you get access to a wealth of unique abilities.
You attack enemies by clicking. Lots and lots of clicking. Hold the mouse button down while hovering over an enemy and your character will repeatedly attack it until it dies. Powers are assigned to the number keys, and have an MMO-style cooldown. Mixing the two forms the basis of the combat, and it rewards experimentation.
There are five classes. The barbarian is self-explanatory. They use brute force, wading into battle with heavy weapons and strong offensive powers. Witch doctors summon undead minions to do their dirty work, and weaken enemies by cursing them. Wizards, predictably, are experts with magic, and have a variety of ranged and defensive spells at their disposal. Monks engage enemies in hand to hand combat, and are incredibly fast. Finally, demon hunters are a pure ranged class, and use dual crossbows and launch explosives.
In later levels, your foes become more intelligent. Some wall your party in, rapidly teleport around the level to confuse you, or knock you back when you approach. Bosses are tough, but only because they have insane amounts of HP. Most can be bested by simply dashing around, avoiding their attacks, and spamming them with ranged magic. Mostly, though, enemies are just fodder - but entertaining fodder. You never get sick of killing them.
Comments
36 comments so far...
nocturnal on 18 May '12 said:
Couldn't agree more. I wish people would let the launch day issues go - and actually play it not worrying about all the 'its online only, DRMDRMDRMDMDERP' crap.
It's a damn solid game, insanely addictive, and inferno mode is hard as s**t.
Cogglesz on 18 May '12 said:
It is a darn good game, got it last night, never played II or 1 as the pc was out of my price range back in those days but i'm enjoying it, put about 5 or 6 hours into it now, i thought i'd not be digging the camera as it seems kind of a dated camera angle but it works perfectly, its pretty simple on noobs too, i've not had to check out instructions too much, just been enjoying the single player, and luckily i've not been hut with any errors.
IronGix on 18 May '12 said:
a 9...wow....just wow,how much did blizz pay for this...mmm
theaface on 18 May '12 said:
But that's just it. It's not crap, and it's not self-entitled gamers complaining about nothing. It really is a problem and it's unfair to the consumer. What if you have a bad connection? A lot of people use wireless broadband which can be inconsistent in its performance, all the moreso when bandwith is shared in a household. CVG are right to point out that being connected to the internet just to play a single payer game IS ridiculous.
I want this game, have done for ages, but I won't support this form of DRM. I only hope that a console version materialises sooner rather than later, so I can play the game in my own time, on my own terms.
freds1 on 18 May '12 said:
Well said.
I wanted this game too, but this is the one and only thing that puts me off and I for one won't support it, otherwise I'd have bought it. Bugs can be sorted out fair enough but always online for a single player game? No thanks.
xJohnOx on 18 May '12 said:
I played this game at a friends house. After a hour of play time it started to become quite repetitive and I lost interest. The graphics for a game that have been many years in production are quite..average. Also it's art style is very,very similiar to World of Warcraft. Yes I know both titles are from the same company, but I personaly prefer the old style of Diablo not this WoW looking Diablo.
I played the previous versions of Diablo and was a fan of the series. This third version is the weakest of the lot in my opinion and the online only single player also ruins it for me to. Blizzard announced this game many years ago and if it would have came out around that time I may have enjoyed it more, but times have changed and it just looks dated now for a new game imo
corkscru74 on 18 May '12 said:
Oh shut up. If you believe that CVG take bribes to review games why the f*ck are you here reading the reviews?!? I can pretty much guarantee that YOU haven't played this game. Well you know what? This guy has and I'd trust his opinion a lot more than I'd trust yours!
Anyway, yes, DRM, not good. I'm sure I've posted before how annoying it used to be to get all ready to play WOW only to find the servers were down or my own internet connection was on the blink. I can JUST ABOUT accept it with an online game but for a singleplayer? I'm sorry but there should really be a setting for playing offline. I know why Blizzard have done it, to stop piracy and hacking etc. but I'd bet there's already a torrent for this (or one in the works at least) and I bet THEY won't have trouble connecting to servers in busy periods! I'm completely against Piracy of videogames, it's an industry I love and want to support but when you're screwing over your loyal customers (as DRM more often than not does) you've got to start looking for a better alternative!
Cogglesz on 18 May '12 said:
I'm no fan of the DRM myself, i hate it like the rest of us, but i'm mainly a pc gamer now a days so getting myself a good 60mb broadband connection is like my xbox live or ps+ subscription so to speak, its a managable flaw and i'm rather used the log in part of things since it is a blizzard game and this being pc exclusive and a blizzard game, i'm sure most folks will be playing this on a hardwired desktop where even a 2mb connection will keep you on it without kicking you out but i do agree with single player not working offline, thats kinda lame, they should have made them say seperate .exe's like COD does and allowed dvd activation of the game rather than online DRM, even my net will be down some days and i'll not be able to play but its a great game and luckily not full of DRM related bugs, its still worth the buy though believe me, its not a problem if your hardwired with ethernet like what all pc gamers are supposed to be using with games that need the internet, no point putting big bucks into a rig to play this and then connecting wirelessly screwing your ping and knocking out your connections, thats like building a racing touring car and then putting eco run flat tyres on it, if you keep it hardwired it shouldn't ever kick you out (unless theres problems on blizzards end), even if your internet is a slow speed, that ethernet will give it a constant connection.
rivariad on 18 May '12 said:
chill the f.ck out
IronGix on 18 May '12 said:
ow mad bro??
i am kinda curious how you know for a fact i never played this,mmm..indeed...oh thats right your talking out of your ass,lol.
the game is ok but no way a 9. a 7.5 at best
togrtc on 18 May '12 said:
Good review - I hope the chat interface gets an improvement in time but as it stands from what i have seen it has been worth the wait.
To those complaining about always online and it being a single player game - You obviously never played DII so your opinions do not matter. Read the box before you but the item next time.
The_KFD_Case on 18 May '12 said:
False logic. Whether one has played Diablo 2 or not does not render a person's opinion moot if they object to the single player portion of Diablo 3, or any other single player game for that matter, being tied to a constant internet connection. An opinion is an opinion. How well informed it is, is another matter, yet there are a number of salient reasons to be concerned about single player game segments being tied to constant internet connectivity.
Acheron51 on 18 May '12 said:
I don't follow. D2 didn't need an internet connection.
trustyweasel on 18 May '12 said:
Excellent review. Summed up my feelings completely. Online single player is just ridiculous but not so ridiculous as to distract from an extremely excellent game.
theaface on 18 May '12 said:
Your point is what, exactly? I played Diablo 2 single player extensively and it didn't require an internet connection to do so. You obviously haven't considered this very simple logic, so think before you speak next time.
...See how easy it is to be unnecessarily condescending to other people for no good reason?
nocturnal on 18 May '12 said:
Do you honestly think Blizzard give a flying s**t? dude, get over yourself and go buy the game. It's awesome and you owe yourself the fun of playing it.
Don't spend your life fighting individual rebellions, you end up very fed up in a boring world. I don't agree with the DRM they put on most games nowadays, but if it stops pirating douchebags who gives a crap?
wolftailxx on 19 May '12 said:
Or what if your pc crashes? They should make it playable on a handheld. Oh wait what if you drop that in the toilet?
To be honest I think you have a perfectly fine internet connection. Your complaining about something that doesn't even effect you. I've been in homeless shelters with internet connection. Wireless is perfectly fine. This isn't the 90s anymore.
If you really still use dial up then I feel sorry for you.
The_KFD_Case on 19 May '12 said:
How very inspiring. What you are essentially saying is, "Don't stand up for yourself, your rights, your dignity, or things that matter to you. Look! There is cake!" Furthermore, DRM to date has *NOT* stopped pirates if they have been interested enough in cracking it. To finish off, by the token of your logic of "Not giving a crap," why should he, I, or anybody else care about what you think and/or what Blizzard likes/wants?
The_KFD_Case on 19 May '12 said:
Good grief you come across as a short-sighted, attention deficit(ed), instant gratification, self-absorbed, hedonistic kid. Believe it or not the *vast* majority of humanity does not have access to broadband internet connections - this also applies in so-called "developed countries."
Shall I point out to you that in many places, if you move to a new house or apartment, that your current ISP will often take several *weeks* to switch your internet package to the new address? Or how about maintenance? Downed servers? Acts of God/Nature that down connections? (All of which involve forces beyond the individual customer's control.) Why should a *paying customer* be denied the ability to play the *single player* aspect of a game - any game - due to a constant online requirement that holds extremely little benefit to the paying customer (despite what the gaming companies are so desperate trying to tell us otherwise)? They shouldn't.
Constant online connectivity requirements for single player games benefit one faction primarily and that is the gaming industry. (And if you, or anyone else, thinks that the gaming industry cares about you beyond the short term goal of getting you to fork over money, you are sorely mistaken.)
allygray69 on 19 May '12 said:
I'm in that boat kfd, been having problem with my broadband constantly flunctuating from 6mbps to 0.1mbps since thurs, meaning Diablo 3 has been a frustrating experience for me. Hopefully sorted next week but til then il need to hold back the tears
sh4dow83 on 20 May '12 said:
Personally, I only looked at the score to see whether it matches what I thought it would be. And it did.
No surprise that this sub-par, sorry excuse for a game will get great ratings on virtually every mainstream gaming site. Maybe one will dare to speak out but surely not any more than that.
MPH on 20 May '12 said:
A worthy 9 IMO. The only let down is the requirement to be online to play the SP. Due to the Battle.net maintenance the game is currently offline atm.
shimrod on 20 May '12 said:
Absolutely fantastic game...
...as far as I have been able to play it.
People & reviewers alike: don't overcomplicate the DRM issue. It is quite simple: I've paid for I game, but I am unable to play it! That means something has seriously gone wrong.
Very bad call from Blizzard.
Sleepaphobic on 20 May '12 said:
You're both wrong I haven't even played it yet but I know the game is a 8.8652.
Sleepaphobic on 20 May '12 said:
Wasn't this online thing done so that auction house wouldn't break?
ithurtstopoop on 20 May '12 said:
Error 33!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TehSlenderMan on 20 May '12 said:
I don't like how it got a lower score over what happened at launch
twisted187 on 21 May '12 said:
Forcing players to play a game online is a slime balls marketing trick. It may be free or cheap at first but, later they will jack the price up once players are hooked on the game. It's a sick greedy trick that crack dealers use. Get your customers to depend on it then jack the price up.
I will not buy this game.
The game is a master piece there is no question about that but, I can live with out it and put my money else where.
Rick_1138 on 21 May '12 said:
This is why i am not that fussed about getting the game, a[art from not having enough free time to play much games atm, the constant online requirement is putting me off.
The main reason for this was C&C 4, with its constant need to be online, as if the connection dropped you couldn't save any progress so had to log out and start again. I have a solid B/B connection, play WOW\EVE etc and never had an issue, but with C&C 4 it would constantly pop up saying the connection had been lost and any progress would not be saved.
This ended up with me simply not playing any more. if a solid connection can have these issues i feel for someone who has a 'ropey' connection.
Sorry diablo 3, for that reason, i'm oot!
BenJy on 21 May '12 said:
The connections where a problem on launch and I must admit I was really disappointed but things have been more than fine since. I'm not generally a fan of wireless gaming on any platform, especially the PC so if you're using a wireless setup for a PC then prepare for the worse. The only DRM doesn't bother me, I know why it's there and what's being used for so I see it as a very minor set back. I hope CVG haven't down voted the game simply because of this.
Gameroftheyear on 21 May '12 said:
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Gameroftheyear on 26 May '12 said:
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Padua on 27 May '12 said:
I would give it a solid 9 too.
I bought it full price, online at Blizzard, after being unable to find it in three supermarkets for cheaper (and being slightly drunk
)
I played the previous two over many years and as much as I tried to resist this game kept singing lustily to me in my dreams " Buy me! " I am at lvl 19, and I think half way through Act II and loving every hour that disappears out of my life whilst playing this game. It may not be for everyone but Diablo fans will not be disappointed. It is dumbed down somewhat - you can get a portal back to town any time you want and when you die you still have all that you carry but at 10% more wear on your items. Still it does add to the flow of the game which is extremely well polished. The graphical effects are gorgeous . I have an oldish PC with a £50 new graphic card (2Gb Nvidia Geoforce GT520) that I got just for this game, and its great even with that
Yeah it is repetitive but that is rewarded by cool sounding armor and funky power ups
Nothing makes me happier than scouring around an entire map "painting out" all the dark areas.
Anyway go out and buy this game now anyone sitting on the fence.
OlafBiggles on 31 May '12 said:
This game is pretty bad... First off, you have to start on normal difficulty - if you die on this, it must be because you just got bored and wondered off. It is so ridiculously easy that it would actually be more of a challenge to get your character killed.
Nightmare is a bit better, and Hell is good. Some challenge to the gameplay on these settings. But then comes inferno, which is perfectly acceptable using a ranged class, since you can avoid almost any hits. But using a melee class, you are screwed. Almost any mob hitting you with top of the range armor will 1 shot... The only strategy is to not get hit, and with a melee class, that makes it incredibly hard to get anywhere! And yes, its right thats its really hard. But there should also be balance between all classes, and after 12 years, this has not been achieved.
The worst thing in my view is the availability of Blizzards servers. They seem to be down 25% of the time, and then you can't even play single player. And when its not down, you can experience lag in single player... Sorry, but single player lag? Thats really not on, and I've asked for a refund, but Blizzard being Blizzard have said no.
I truly hope nobody else buys this game, because you'll likely have the same experience as me, and its just not worth the money. If you want to buy a game like this, then wait on Torchlight 2. It will be better than this, playable offline, and without lag!
tommygun678 on 29 Jun '12 said:
I'll be quite honest, i haven't experienced any server issues at all, although i've gotta say the always online thing made me think twice. My main gripe with this game is the damn awful skill system and how your attributes are allocated automatically... skills are just god awful, sure they look pretty but no character customization just sucks. I wanna look at my build and hope that no one else has it, not every man and his dog.
I mean seriously, runes? You've gotta be yanking my dick.
Wheres my skill tree?
Wheres my stat points?
The fun in Diablo 2 was experimenting, and having a bloody good time while doing it. I've waited for this game for a very long time and its gotta be the biggest disappointment of my entire gaming life. I'm actually uninstalling it right now.. and putting Diablo 2 LoD back on so i can reminisce about when Blizzard had talent. Won't be buying another Blizz game fer' sure.
Oh and... screw drm.
EDIT: and whats with all these "critic" reviews saying its amazing? Blizz must have been bribing everyone...
Humphrey on 22 Nov '12 said:
I think that if you're kinda dumb, you're probably going to like Diablo III better than you liked Diablo II, because in Diablo II, being dumb could hold you back. In Diablo III, honestly, a monkey could play just as well as anyone else.
What I REALLY don't understand about this game, though, is how on earth it took Blizzard 12 years to make a game that is just some minor modifications on World of Warcraft. Guess they were scouring the world for the very worst voice actors?