As someone who dipped their toes into the Diablo universe with the third installment, I downloaded Diablo IV not expecting much. My initial foray into Diablo III left me cold—there was something about the fixed camera angle that felt restrictive, and the gameplay didn’t immediately hook me like other fantasy RPGs. Despite the widespread acclaim from friends and the broader gaming community, I found myself gravitating back to the expansive worlds of Final Fantasy and Elder Scrolls, where I’ve spent thousands of hours adventuring.
But when Diablo IV was released, I decided to give the series another chance. Perhaps this new chapter in the saga of Sanctuary would resonate with me in a way that the previous ones hadn’t.
To start, the game is beautiful, especially the cut-scenes. Blizzard Entertainment has crafted a world that feels alive, teeming with dark horrors and unsettling details that pull you into its grim, gothic atmosphere. Whether you’re exploring crumbling ruins or trudging through the blood-soaked swamps, every corner of Diablo IV is meticulously designed to immerse you in the bleakness of Sanctuary.
Yet, despite the allure of the visuals and the smoothness of the gameplay, I found myself struggling to connect with the experience. I created five seasonal characters, each with the hope that this time, I’d find the spark that would ignite my interest. But none of them made it past level 13 before I set them aside. It wasn’t until a long weekend that I finally powered through, determined to see what lay beyond those early levels. I eventually beat Lilith on Veteran difficulty, a mode that balances challenge and accessibility, and the victory was satisfying, though it felt somewhat hollow.
The gameplay itself is, for lack of a better word, fine. It’s easy to pick up, offering that familiar loop of dungeon crawling, loot gathering, and character progression that fans of the series love. There’s a certain mindless pleasure to be had in smashing through hordes of enemies and watching your character grow more powerful with each piece of shiny new gear.
But the world feels small and the story, while engaging, was too short. There were moments towards the climactic scenes when I thought to myself, “this is incredible, I see why people love this.”
“Silence is their Judgment.”
I really felt that.
And then it’s over.
It’s clear that the real magic of Diablo IV lies in its multiplayer experience—teaming up with friends to tackle the game’s challenges together. Therein lies the rub. For someone like me, who usually games solo, I enjoy the company of well-crafted NPCs, and Diablo IV falls short. The NPCs in this game are functional, but they lack the depth and warmth that I’ve found in other RPGs. They’re there to serve a purpose—dispense quests, sell items, provide lore—but they don’t offer the kind of companionship that makes a world feel truly lived in.
This is where I find myself daydreaming about the future of gaming, a future where AI could transform NPCs into companions as rich and dynamic as real people. Imagine a Diablo where you could have meaningful conversations with your allies, form bonds that feel as real as those with your fellow players.
For now, though, Diablo IV remains a game best enjoyed with friends.
Diablo IV is a polished game that delivers on what it promises—dark fantasy action, satisfying loot, and a world begging to be explored. If you have friends to share it with, it’s likely to be a much richer experience.