Shane
Upon the promise of gold a trio of mercenaries and one injured scholar brave the lands of plagued monstrosities to unlock and enter in to a temple.
But it is not gold that they find in there, instead, a blood ritual that summons the ultimate evil, Lilith.
With Lilith summoned, all hell breaks loose once again upon Sanctuary.
Diablo IV is the much anticipated new title from Blizzard and it does not disappoint.
You’ll select your playable character from the character classes available; Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Necromancer, and Druid.
Naturally each have their own skill sets from magic through to brute strength.
You can mold your character to your liking with a wide menu of aesthetics and appearance options then once you’re all personalised and named your hero, it’s now up to you traveller. Save Sanctuary alone.
For those that have played Diablo previously, especially Diablo III, you’ll be in a familiar territory.
Maps vary in size but still have an overall linear path. It pays to explore and I do mean pays as there is a lot to be discovered.
A mini map floats to the top right of your screen, but the full map can be accessed via controller (or keyboard) button. It’s also within this Pause Menu you can check up on your Challenge progress, join or start a Clan, add or find friends, and spend any Platinum you may have on outfits and armour. This Shop refreshes every few days with new goods.
It’s also here that you can use real-world money to buy Platinum coins, if you wish. It’s not a pay to win, but it is a pay for better gear scenario.
You’ll encounter core narrative and side quest giving NPC’s that are going to not only reward you for helping them out but also questing (as well as combat) is the way to Level up.
But not every NPC is to be trusted. Encountering other players may also happen, if you have cross-platform on you can meet with PC, Xbox and PlayStation players.
With Gear inventory and Skill Level’s this is now a pop-out side menu with a zoom if you need it.
Drop Gear, change Gear on the fly and when you have Skill points, you’ll find that the Skill tree branches off into a couple of areas.
Spent a valuable Skill Point but regret it? Not a worry, providing you have enough Gold you can get a ‘refund’ which enables you to choose another Skill.
Once you’ve got your new Skill you’ll need to assign it to a key on your keyboard or controller. Initially the assign slots are locked until you gain a few Skills and Level up a wee bit.
Another option within the Inventory and Abilities pop-out is a special section attributed to your characters special skills. You can upgrade a specific ability, or just totally sacrifice it with a beneficial trade-off.
NPCs are everywhere depending on the environment, especially in towns or human populated areas. Chat with them, as you never know what they may need and rewards you’ll get for completing an objective for them.
Combat is melee via your primary weapon, which can also be swapped out for something more death-dealing as you progress or your character class skills. Example, spells if you’re a Sorcerer, necromancy if you’re playing as the Necromancer. You get the idea.
Depending on your current Skill Level, gained by acquiring Experience (EXP), this will determine how difficult foes will be to take down.
There’s no shortage of things to kill and if you’re up against an enemy that is seeming to be impossible to kill, if you can, come back and tackle it when your Level is higher, or when you have better Gear or powers.
Asides from loot that you’ll find along your adventure, you can buy and sell if you locate a vendor. Same said for potions too.
Gear has varying stats, as do weapons. Higher the armour, the better you’re going to fare in a battle.
Graphically Diablo IV is darkly detailed. And I really do mean detailed. Blizzard have put a lot of demonic love into the environments, all environments, from the open areas through to caves, caverns, dungeons and towns.
Even gear and items have had a graphical makeover.
It’s been 11 years since Diablo III and 6 years since the Necromancer Edition.
While we did see the more entry-level mobile / PC crossover game release, Diablo Immortal (which I’m a frequent player of) last year, and Diablo II remastered, Diablo IV is THE Diablo game you need to be deep within right now.
Infact it’s the most epic RPG as of writing this review, in my opinion.
Diablo IV is for newcomers to the franchise, it’s for the more seasoned demon slayers and the best in the series.
Go solo, or go online just remember, blood is the key. See you in Sanctuary traveller.
Released: June 2023
Rating: M15+
Platforms reviewed: Xbox Series X|S
Genre: RPG
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Blizzard