Customer Reviews
More than meets the eye
It's simply amazing how
character development can go in so many directions with this game. Seven
character classes are now offered, and focusing on certain options
within any of the 3 different "skill trees" of each class can itself
forever change the way in which you relate to the game. Characters can
become so specialized that names have been attributed to them (lexicons
can be found on the Net); for example, if you choose to play a character
from the new Druid class, he can be differentiated into a Shifter,
Summoner, Elementist, Botanist, Windbreaker, Bowling Druid, etc. [lingo
used by D2:LoD addicts, these aren't terms that the game itself uses].
It could be said that choosing from these different paths renews the
playability of the game, as you are forced to figure out new strategies
to survive, especially in the Nightmare and Hell difficulty settings.
I've
been playing this expansion since its release, and can hardly believe
how much I yet have to learn. The Druid class is a clever addition to
original 5, and quite different from the others; the new Assassin class I
cannot in good faith critique, as I have only developed one character
from that class. Act 5 has a much different flavor, and disposing of
Baal can be a highly frustrating task, if you don't have a plan [Hint:
get his back against the wall on the runway, slow him down, and hit him
without a pause]. The addition of charms and class-specific items vastly
improves your chances for survival, and the new set items are geared
towards the more advanced players. However, other improvements put forth
in the expansion balance it out in favor of the enemy (e.g., you can no
longer dominate simply by having a Level 25 Fire Wall).
Lately I've
discovered several websites devoted to the game, and features of the
game that previously made little sense now are revealed as worthwhile to
me. If you are getting the impression that this game can create a black
hole in your weekly schedule, then I think I have gotten my point
across. For example, tonite I am supposed to be reading an article
titled "Parenteral Nutrition in Pregnancy," but instead I am researching
new strategies to keep my Necromancer alive (can you blame me?)
Finally,
there is the adrenaline rush motive. When trying to stay alive during
some of the more challenging moments, your heart will be racing and you
might even break into a sweat. Warnings written in the other reviews
(about how addiction to this game can trash your GPA and cause your
girlfriend to seek out someone who has never heard of Diablo or its
sequels) should be taken very seriously. As a graduate student I came
close to smashing the disc on several occasions with the thought of
freeing myself...that would doubtless have been a waste of money, as I
would have promptly jogged down to the store to pick up another copy.
A completely addictive experience for obsessive RPG
Gamers
This is a truly addictive
game, folks. I'm talking heroin for the mind here.
I actually avoided
Diablo I altogether and put off playing Diablo II as long as possible. I
knew that all my friends and many family members were playing it
constantly, but I had better things to do. I have played Role Playing
games for decades (in fact, I have one of the original
Greyhawk/Blackpool sets somewhere in my attic from my D&D days), so
it was not any personal distaste for the genre. I just knew there was
some reason I had to avoid it. I played dozens of other Computer RPGs
and RTS games in the meantime and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Finally,
when the Lord of Destruction Expansion patch came out, I could avoid it
no further. All the reviews insisted that it was the most wonderful
thing ever, and I decided to give it a shot (literally, as I prefer
archer characters that can stand away from the big ugly monsters and not
get immediately smashed to the ground). Needless to say, I soon
realized why I had been avoiding it. I was completely addicted. So much
so, that I am STILL playing it to the exclusion of Elder Scrolls,
Neverwinter Nights, Heroes of Might and Magic, Wizardry IX etc. I should
note that I actually own and hugely enjoy each of those titles- they
just can't compete right now.
It's not that the game itself is all
that complicated. It's more the wide variety of ways characters can be
developed. The huge assortment of set items, unique weapons and apparel
is amazing (and frustratingly difficult to collect). I have a personal
goal of collecting every item possible- legitimately, not through some
script hack as many other players seem to do- before actually stopping.
Now that the latest patch is nearly complete, I now have even more
things to collect. Somehow, Blizzard struck a near-perfect balance with a
simple game that can be rendered as complex as your personality
requires.
Fun Never Stops, if I could I
would give it ten stars
The original Diablo opened up
a new type of gaming experience for players everywhere. Customizable
characters, stats, weapons, and spells made the player feel totally free
and in control of the game they were playing. Only drawback was the
battles. They were remembered, and there fore no new enemies appeared
and therefore quests to do nothing but level up were out of the
question.
Diablo II takes the best of the original, beefs it up, and
then multiplies its greatness by 100. This game totally kicks the big
one. Characters with skill classes, certain abilities that are useful in
both single and multiplayer, and not to mention just how great it
looks. The game offers so much with TONS of new items, skills and
enemies. Not to mention the replay value. The game is so great that even
if you lvl a character up to the highest it can go, you can pick
another type of character and still want to do it all over again. The
expansion brings even more to the game, with new resolution, and two new
character classes and even MORE items. Both characters are extremely
good and can be put to great uses. If you are for summoning then the
durid is your kinda guy, if your for up front attack and enjoy using
skills that kick the [pooh] out of anything and everything then the
assasin is your cup of tea. Its all up to the player.
The Multiplayer
option is the games overall high point I beleive, although it is great
to do a one player quest, having others join your party proves
beneficial in both experience and items. You also have the ability to
duel other players in game as a test of skill.
So overall I believe
this game to be the best of its class, and its popularity will never die
out. If you get this game and the expansion you will not be disapointed
in the slightest.
No comments:
Post a Comment