Fans of the traditional ARPG format have been treated quite well in recent years, with major titles like Diablo 4 receiving regular seasonal content, Path of Exile 2 launching into early access, and newcomers like Last Epoch making a name for themselves. However, fans of classic titles still have a lot to enjoy too, with Diablo 2: Resurrected and Diablo 3 still seeing thriving communities even in the wake of more modern titles. Diablo 3 fans can jump back into the game for the ongoing Season 34, while Diablo 2: Resurrected fans can currently participate in Ladder Season 10.
Despite Diablo 4 absorbing most of the Diablo player base when it released back in 2023, there are still dedicated fans keeping Diablo 3 and Diablo 2 active in a post-D4 world. One benefit Diablo 2 has over D3 is the fact that it received the remastered Resurrected release back in 2021, bringing the game up to date over 20 years after its initial release. Even with this remaster, Diablo 3 still held the larger player base of the two until very recently, perhaps signaling that it's time for Diablo 3 to get its own Resurrected version.
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Diablo 3 Can Take Back the Player Count Lead From Diablo 2: Resurrected with a Remaster of its Own
Diablo 2: Resurrected Recently Eclipsed Diablo 3's Player Counter
Diablo 3 has always been somewhat of the black sheep of the series, making some controversial changes to the existing formula of the very popular Diablo 2. As such, much of Diablo 3's player base was split from the get-go when it was released in 2012, with many Diablo fans opting to stick with the tried and true Diablo 2 instead of hopping on the latest entry. Despite this initial controversy, Diablo 3 has grown into a beloved entry in its own right, as can be seen by the healthy player count it enjoys more than 30 seasons later.
Still, Diablo 2 and Diablo 3 have continued to share a rivalry of sorts between fans who prefer the gameplay of one over the other. This rivalry was reignited in 2021 when Diablo 2: Resurrected was released to an audience eager for Diablo 4 to take the torch from Diablo 3 as the current mainline title. Although the player count of Diablo 3 and Diablo 2: Resurrected has fluctuated in recent years, especially after the release of Diablo 4, current Diablo 2: Resurrected statistics put it at a higher player count than Diablo 3, meaning Diablo 3 may want to strike back with a remaster of its own to bring fans back into the fold.
Why the Time is Right for a Diablo 3 Remaster
Diablo 2: Resurrected provided a much-needed overhaul to the visuals of the original release just over 20 years after it first launched. While Diablo 3 is only approaching its 15th anniversary, its visuals are starting to become more dated every year. Not only are they dated, but many Diablo fans were not happy with the more cartoon-y style the game took compared to D2, so a remastered Diablo 3 could end up killing two birds with one stone in this department.
Another reason why a Diablo 3 remaster could find success now is the current drought in content for Diablo 4. Although the game is coming off the heels of the Vessel of Hatred expansion released at the end of 2024, the initial forecast Blizzard gave for yearly expansion releases seems to already be outdated, with the developer confirming the next major Diablo 4 expansion won't be released until 2026. To fill this gap, Blizzard could lean on a Diablo 3 remaster—much like they did with Diablo 2: Resurrected in the time leading up to Diablo 4's initial release—to give D3 a breath of new life now that it's been eclipsed by Diablo 2: Resurrected.
Diablo 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
