Diablo 3, one of the most anticipated video game releases to date, is about to launch on May 15th, 2012. There is no better time to take a glimpse into the Diablo 3 Beta to get a quick overview of what this game is all about.
Descending into the world of Diablo 3
The first thing you notice when starting Diablo 3 in its current version is its simplicity. Blizzard has refined everything from the skill sets system to the menus, to such an extent the fact that result can be uncluttered and unadulterated fun.
The graphics won't blow you away at first, however the gloomy watercolours presented show off a form of art design that is both dark (since the fans wanted) and cartoonish. The end product is enhanced by really impressive physics, which has a mostly destructible environment, and thoroughly entertaining ragdoll effects - the world of D3 comes alive. Game Insight: You'll find nothing more satisfying than one final blow throwing a creature's body across the screen while wood and stone fly up near you.
The interface is bold, neat and efficient. With many RPGs these days cluttering your screen with information crammed into little text boxes; it's refreshing to discover the king of hack and slash do exactly the exact opposite.
From Diablo 2 (D2) to D3 you'll note that the inventory and character screen has become merged. Now you can equip your hero, manage your inventory and see your attributes and damage all-in-one neat location. As well as the skills tree has been done away with and has been substituted with much more of a 'perk progression' style.
The mini map and camera angle from where you play seem perfect in their design. The mini map guides the way without disturbing your precious screen space, and important info only appears once you get near it physically. Your quests have already been restructured to only show your present objective. This console-esque design actually works perfectly for a game like Diablo. After all what more would you like to know besides what you need to be doing right this moment.
The sound and music are so very critical in this version. They seamlessly aid the climate, and that's the sign of something working well. The monsters sound unique, all of the important NPCs are voiced and in some cases your character is vocal this time around. This can help to find the character classes a lot more as it's already a part of the narrative and not simply the gameplay.
Progressive Play: But how does Diablo 3 play?
Well the experience holds all the core mechanics of earlier Diablo titles. You are always clicking to kill and still using hotkeys to activate powers, but now your choices aren't penalized as heavily when levelling up. This indicates variety and adaptability is given extreme importance.
The designers have scrapped the most popular skill tree system used within D2 to get a 'perk progression'. The easiest way to understand this system is to consider it like pizza. Yes pizza. The 5 character classes: Barbarian, Monk, Demon Hunter, Witch Doctor as well as the Wizard are your pizza bases. Each character class has six active skills (and three passive), assigned to both mouse buttons and the numbers 1-4. These skills are your tomato and cheese of this Diablo pizza of death. They can be vital to each character, and make them all unique.
Furthermore, you can augment each skill using Skill Runes (five per skill). These are typically your toppings. They're what provide assortment and individualisation to your characters. There are rumours that gems will also play a part inside the skill system, adding a bit of spice to this already delicious meal. The most important thing to say about the new skill system is that it encourages experimentation because you can change abilities at will, and vary which active Rune you select any time. You are likely to alter your form of play throughout the game, or at the minimum fool around with a lot of different skills and varying mixtures of these skills rather than centering on only a few. Should you order a Hawaiin, and then want a Regina, no one's intending to hold you back; just change your toppings and away you go.
The inventory and gear changes make certain another element of surprise. The blacksmith can now be trained, which unlocks more items and upgrades for you. He is able to 'Craft' too, and that is basically breaking down magical and rare items into their raw essences. These essences are useful to build unique items. Once gems come up it's almost a sure thing that this new gameplay mechanic will shine.
Presenting Lore:
The storyline isn't revealed that much while inside the beta. Nevertheless the way the storyline is presented is interesting. There is a lot less text this time around; the designers are making use of audio clips in the form of lore that explain enemies as well as history of the world to you. This means you can listen as you play, learning about the world while you happily slash away.
This keeps up the trademark Diablo pacing without having to sacrifice an engaging storyline. Additionally, there are in-game cutscenes which, as a result of new technology, still look really good but retain the pacing. However everyone knows how amazingly Blizzard do full motion videos, so here's hoping they haven't dropped them completely.
Battling the online world:
Finally a mention needs to be made regarding the Battle.net experience. Using an auction house (similar to Wow) included in the game and a frontend experience very similar to Starcraft 2, it ought to be a pleasure playing this game. The auction house will spot items bought and sold for in-game gold along with actual money.
The online-only signifies that you have to be online to start up D3, no two ways about it. This will make plenty of sense for Blizzard as it can combat piracy; patch versions easily, run the auction house and obviously provide the servers for online gaming. From a gamer's perspective: so long as it provide a good service, meaning you are able to invite friends and constantly find servers to play on there shouldn't be a big uproar. It is actually 2012 after all, and games are heading in this particular direction whether you want it or not.
Still Diablo:
And so that's the D3 beta in a nutshell. Together with the final game being released in less than six weeks, it's safe to say that this version should be quite like the final product. Although with 70% more objects coming, along with the entire storyline, and the fact that your characters can go above level 13 there is a lot left to remain thinking about.
Blizzard has added enough that's new, it's refined the golden oldies and left the rubbish behind. From its dark atmosphere to its deceptively engaging new skill system, from saving Deckhard Cain to click click clicking away, this is a Diablo game through and thru. So do not worry purists, Destruction is coming.
Descending into the world of Diablo 3
The first thing you notice when starting Diablo 3 in its current version is its simplicity. Blizzard has refined everything from the skill sets system to the menus, to such an extent the fact that result can be uncluttered and unadulterated fun.
The graphics won't blow you away at first, however the gloomy watercolours presented show off a form of art design that is both dark (since the fans wanted) and cartoonish. The end product is enhanced by really impressive physics, which has a mostly destructible environment, and thoroughly entertaining ragdoll effects - the world of D3 comes alive. Game Insight: You'll find nothing more satisfying than one final blow throwing a creature's body across the screen while wood and stone fly up near you.
The interface is bold, neat and efficient. With many RPGs these days cluttering your screen with information crammed into little text boxes; it's refreshing to discover the king of hack and slash do exactly the exact opposite.
From Diablo 2 (D2) to D3 you'll note that the inventory and character screen has become merged. Now you can equip your hero, manage your inventory and see your attributes and damage all-in-one neat location. As well as the skills tree has been done away with and has been substituted with much more of a 'perk progression' style.
The mini map and camera angle from where you play seem perfect in their design. The mini map guides the way without disturbing your precious screen space, and important info only appears once you get near it physically. Your quests have already been restructured to only show your present objective. This console-esque design actually works perfectly for a game like Diablo. After all what more would you like to know besides what you need to be doing right this moment.
The sound and music are so very critical in this version. They seamlessly aid the climate, and that's the sign of something working well. The monsters sound unique, all of the important NPCs are voiced and in some cases your character is vocal this time around. This can help to find the character classes a lot more as it's already a part of the narrative and not simply the gameplay.
Progressive Play: But how does Diablo 3 play?
Well the experience holds all the core mechanics of earlier Diablo titles. You are always clicking to kill and still using hotkeys to activate powers, but now your choices aren't penalized as heavily when levelling up. This indicates variety and adaptability is given extreme importance.
The designers have scrapped the most popular skill tree system used within D2 to get a 'perk progression'. The easiest way to understand this system is to consider it like pizza. Yes pizza. The 5 character classes: Barbarian, Monk, Demon Hunter, Witch Doctor as well as the Wizard are your pizza bases. Each character class has six active skills (and three passive), assigned to both mouse buttons and the numbers 1-4. These skills are your tomato and cheese of this Diablo pizza of death. They can be vital to each character, and make them all unique.
Furthermore, you can augment each skill using Skill Runes (five per skill). These are typically your toppings. They're what provide assortment and individualisation to your characters. There are rumours that gems will also play a part inside the skill system, adding a bit of spice to this already delicious meal. The most important thing to say about the new skill system is that it encourages experimentation because you can change abilities at will, and vary which active Rune you select any time. You are likely to alter your form of play throughout the game, or at the minimum fool around with a lot of different skills and varying mixtures of these skills rather than centering on only a few. Should you order a Hawaiin, and then want a Regina, no one's intending to hold you back; just change your toppings and away you go.
The inventory and gear changes make certain another element of surprise. The blacksmith can now be trained, which unlocks more items and upgrades for you. He is able to 'Craft' too, and that is basically breaking down magical and rare items into their raw essences. These essences are useful to build unique items. Once gems come up it's almost a sure thing that this new gameplay mechanic will shine.
Presenting Lore:
The storyline isn't revealed that much while inside the beta. Nevertheless the way the storyline is presented is interesting. There is a lot less text this time around; the designers are making use of audio clips in the form of lore that explain enemies as well as history of the world to you. This means you can listen as you play, learning about the world while you happily slash away.
This keeps up the trademark Diablo pacing without having to sacrifice an engaging storyline. Additionally, there are in-game cutscenes which, as a result of new technology, still look really good but retain the pacing. However everyone knows how amazingly Blizzard do full motion videos, so here's hoping they haven't dropped them completely.
Battling the online world:
Finally a mention needs to be made regarding the Battle.net experience. Using an auction house (similar to Wow) included in the game and a frontend experience very similar to Starcraft 2, it ought to be a pleasure playing this game. The auction house will spot items bought and sold for in-game gold along with actual money.
The online-only signifies that you have to be online to start up D3, no two ways about it. This will make plenty of sense for Blizzard as it can combat piracy; patch versions easily, run the auction house and obviously provide the servers for online gaming. From a gamer's perspective: so long as it provide a good service, meaning you are able to invite friends and constantly find servers to play on there shouldn't be a big uproar. It is actually 2012 after all, and games are heading in this particular direction whether you want it or not.
Still Diablo:
And so that's the D3 beta in a nutshell. Together with the final game being released in less than six weeks, it's safe to say that this version should be quite like the final product. Although with 70% more objects coming, along with the entire storyline, and the fact that your characters can go above level 13 there is a lot left to remain thinking about.
Blizzard has added enough that's new, it's refined the golden oldies and left the rubbish behind. From its dark atmosphere to its deceptively engaging new skill system, from saving Deckhard Cain to click click clicking away, this is a Diablo game through and thru. So do not worry purists, Destruction is coming.
About the Author:
Diablo 3 will be an epic addition to the online gaming world and there is an insane amount of information to be obtained to achieve success in the Diablo 3 world. Luckily there are quite a few Diablo 3 Guides to help you in your quest for domination. Thank You for reading and Happy Hunting!
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