Few classical ARPGs have had the level of influence on gaming culture like Diablo 2, whose waves have rippled through the community since its initial release at the turn of the century -- and again after its 2021 remaster. Widely regarded as the best iteration of the entire Diablo franchise and one of the highest-rated ARPGs of all time, it stands to reason that the biggest newer titles would try to incorporate some of its storytelling and mechanics as a nod to its legacy. Blizzard, after a brief detour in Diablo 3's efforts to distinguish itself from its predecessor, dialed back to Diablo 2's framework in developing Diablo 4. Similarly, Path of Exile 2 has drawn inspiration from Diablo 2, although this manifests uniquely.
Logically, there shouldn't be any confusion about which game is the "spiritual successor" to Diablo 2's throne, since it has a mainline successor in its franchise. However, Blizzard went against all expectations for Diablo 3. The developer opted to divest itself of Diablo 2's shadow and appeal to a wider audience, opting for new formulas in storytelling mechanics, aesthetics, and a handful of other components that made the predecessor special in the first place. Although Diablo 3 eventually rediscovered its fair share of fan favor, the response to Diablo 3 was enough to spur Blizzard into righting its wrongs in Diablo 4.
Diablo 4 May Win The Console Race Against Path of Exile 2 if Rumors are True
Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 are drawing comparisons to one another, and the former may beat the latter by launching on another platform.
Path of Exile's Diablo 2 Legacy Manifests in Gameplay Mechanisms
As proof of a section of the gaming public's discomfort with Diablo 3, the Path of Exile franchise was built by a team who were underwhelmed by the title's offerings and wanted to carry the torch of Diablo 2's legacy in their own way. While the original Path of Exile had its pros, it's really in the follow-up (Path of Exile 2) that the spiritual successor tag came about.
For one, it embodies the slower-paced, challenging gameplay that catapulted Diablo 2 to stardom. Part of the allure Diablo 2 enjoyed lay in its difficulty in defeating enemies until players went through a painstaking grind -- a feeling most famously captured by Soulslike games. Falling to a boss repeatedly before finding an upgrade in an obscure tomb that changed the player's entire combat outlook was part of the ritual that made it into a blockbuster title.
Path of Exile 2 adopts this approach from the get-go, starting players off with slim pickings in weaponry and mana, then thrusting them into a world where large mobs easily overpower their character. Adding to the nostalgic Diablo 2 feel in Path of Exile 2 is its mechanism of needing to identify some dropped loot items before using them. Although this dynamic further feeds into the direct successor vibes, having to port back to camp or use a Scroll of Wisdom simply to use new equipment might be a divisive experience.
Diablo 4 Showcases its Diablo 2 Roots With Storytelling and Setting
In Diablo 4's case, despite doing away with the slower gameplay its ancestor became famous for, it still retains a fair bit of Diablo 2 heritage. While Diablo 4 isn't quite viewed in the same vicinity of repute, it went a long way to mending the mistakes of Diablo 3 -- especially in terms of narrative. For starters, one of the most jarring omissions from Diablo 3 was Lilith. Casting aside her chains to reprise her for Diablo 4 brought back a familiar face and helped to foster a narrative link to Diablo 2.
The most compelling connections between Diablo 4 and Diablo 2 come in skill trees and overall setting. Blizzard opted for a linear gameplay mechanism in Diablo 3 (perhaps to ease the onboarding curve for a casual audience) and lost most of the sauce that made Diablo 2 special. Diablo 4 righted that wrong, introducing a detailed and diverse skill tree to maximize customization and player imagination. Along with this change, Diablo 4 also reverted to the darker macabre tone that painted Diablo 2's scene, a nod to Diablo 2's legacy of evoking hopelessness and fear while going against some of Sanctuary's most feared creatures.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.
Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.
Expansive Open WorldForge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.
Immersive Character DevelopmentCreate and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.
Legendary Gear, Epic BattlesDiscover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.
Seasons & EventsThe tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.
End Game UndertakingsThere’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Number of Players
- 1-2 players
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 158.25 GB
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 players (console only)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
