It’s 2021. Please modernize D2R.
If I want to play classic there’s always D2:LoD in all it’s basic glory.
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Balance changes are desperately needed.
The game was perfectly fine in 1.09 - Then Blizzard North ruined it with a messy 1.10 patch and never went back to fix anything due to their soon-to-be-scrapped D3 project.
Bring back 1.09 or balance the game.
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There’s actually dudes/streamers playing PD2 over D2R right now, they don’t seem to give a rats a** about the graphics. Just goes to show how much more gameplay and active community means more than shiny graphics.
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I’m mostly interested in UI/UX changes that give greater accessibility. There aren’t a great many changes I’m clamoring for for mechanics other than two new shared stashes, one for gems and one for runes, both allowing them to stack, and a rework of the immunity system with a corresponding rework of things that lower resistances to maintain balance (this is primarily to open builds up to being able to farm anywhere, not just in specific locations).
UI customization is a priority for me though, as it allows the most accessibility out of any option readily available at the moment.
There are only so many changes you can do before going too far from the original.
And there lies the problem: the core gameplay of d2 is too basic - there is simply not enough substance to keep you engaged in the long run unless you are the collectionist type.
I have moved on…
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There lies its success you mean?
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Although this is historically accurate, I suppose it’s also a matter of perspective.
I do agree they never finished with their cycles of balancing the game properly once they introduced Synergies etc. This is actually why a lot of people left the game after they had announced D3’s development, as they knew the focus had been shifted.
I would not agree that 1.09 and prior was “perfectly fine”. IIRC, there were very few classes and builds that were considered “viable”. The state of the game prior to 1.10 is why Synergies were introduced to begin with- to buff more builds/classes to be inline with some of the “meta” choices at that time and offer more variety. To Blizzard’s credit, they didn’t perform a round of “nerfing” to the outstanding classes/builds, but rather made an attempt to raise the others to the same quality.
IMO, it’s almost as the developers clearly understood that there was very little they could do to “balance” the game correctly using the core systems that existed, so they instead washed their hands to create D3 and start with a different one. So much of the game had changed with the introduction of D3 that it was poorly received - being described as a completely different game. The “new” players of the Diablo franchise saw it was a good game because they didn’t have a reference point to compare it to. Personally, I saw the same changes in D3 as they had started with WoW- skill trees removed and replaced by on-the-fly “talents”, etc.
Anyway, I could likely go on for hours describing the scenario and historical transitions of the series, but it’s already been said before in quite a few different threads. I’m sure Blizzard is well aware of the divisive atmosphere they created with the introduction of D3, and with the introduction of D2R, it could also be perceived that perhaps they’re “returning to their roots” by bringing back elements that really defined the genre, or it could be perceived as a simple “cash grab” as has been detailed prior as well.
In any case… the reception of D4 will most likely be all the “communication” Blizzard needs to guide further development of the series. What they need to do is remain true to design intentions and stop trying to “pander”. To create the game they want to create, instead of some fan-fic Frankenstein which will likely satisfy no one in the end.
How is D2 basic compare to other arpg out in market now. Just curious.
If that were the case then D1 would be even more successful.
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Successful in which way? D1 pretty much created the game type. What do you mean exactly ?
then you just don’t like the game that much and that’s fine. plenty of plenty find longevity in it (me included)
that doesn’t mean it needs to be changed, it just means you need to move on from it which it sounds like you did
I find this post surprising from you. D2R is very basic, and by that I mean, and I assume HE means, the lack of end-game content. D2R is just MF’ing. There’s little more behind that.
That’s great for them, PD2 is a great mod.
Some people like basic stuff, some people like shiny graphics. Is it so hard to believe that different people like different things? Just because a few people like one thing, doesn’t mean every single other player does too.
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ARPGs are magic finding experiences. There’s always very little behind that. PoE, Diablo III, Torchlight, Titan Quest, Grim Dawn, Wolcen… Last Epoch may be the one breaking the mold. We’ll see…
Answering the original question…
Diablo 2 balance is poorer compared to other ARPG. But it has its strengths too. I find the simple combat mechanics and unforgiving loot tables its biggest strengths, and the likely reason for its long lasting success and the general love of the gamming community who hails it as a classic.
However, modern ARPGs combat is more fluid and satisfying. It can have more complexity to it too, with some games offering so-called piano builds for the more dextrous players. Classes are better thought out and balance (usually) better achieved, with games having many more viable endgame builds.
Modern ARPGs have much more benign “loot tables” and drops are more common. Best in Slot (BiS) and Godly Gear (GG) are more easily obtained. In addition many games implement universal drops (an item has the same chance of dropping from every mob) and boss runs only benefit are the additional number of items dropped. For these reasons, as I see it, Diablo 2 remains the better collectors game, for the rarity of its items and the ability to plan out your item runs.
Yes improve the hell out of d2 please.
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No it’s not hard to believe people like different things.
I know some dude is sitting in a dark attic right now watching boxing fights from 1972, and that’s nice for that guy, but the majority of people are going to be watching tonights UFC card because relevancy matters.
The majority of us couldn’t give a rats a** what the guy in his attic likes.
It’s already modernized, works perfectly with modernized monitors.
Nah. We’ll keep it the same. This is not a new game, it was a remaster. For you people that want major changes, you have D4 coming soon. If you dislike playing this game, stop playing it. Pretty simple.
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Troll sat alone on his seat of stone,
And munched and mumbled a bare old bone;
For many a year he had gnawed it near,
For meat was hard to come by.
Done by! Gum by!
In a cave in the hills he dwelt alone,
And meat was hard to come by.
Up came Tom with his big boots on.
Said he to Troll: ‘Pray, what is yon?
For it looks like the shin o’ my nuncle Tim.
As should be a-lyin’ in the graveyard.
Caveyard! Paveyard!
This many a year has Tim been gone,
And I thought he were lyin’ in the graveyard.’
‘My lad,’ said Troll, ‘this bone I stole.
But what be bones that lie in a hole?
Thy nuncle was dead as a lump o’ lead,
Afore I found his shinbone.
Tinbone! Thinbone!
He can spare a share for a poor old troll,
For he don’t need his shinbone.’
Said Tom: ‘I don’t see why the likes o’ thee
Without axin’ leave should go makin’ free
With the shank or the shin o’ my father’s kin;
So hand the old bone over!
Rover! Trover!
Though dead he be, it belongs to he;
So hand the old bone over!’
‘For a couple o’ pins,’ says Troll, and grins,
‘I’ll eat thee too, and gnaw thy shins.
A bit o’ fresh meat will go down sweet!
I’ll try my teeth on thee now.
Hee now! See now!
I’m tired o’ gnawing old bones and skins;
I’ve a mind to dine on thee now.’
But just as he thought his dinner was caught,
He found his hands had hold of naught.
Before he could mind, Tom slipped behind
And gave him the boot to larn him.
Warn him! Darn him!
A bump o’ the boot on the seat, Tom thought,
Would be the way to larn him.
But harder than stone is the flesh and bone
Of a troll that sits in the hills alone.
As well set your boot to the mountain’s root,
For the seat of a troll don’t feel it.
Peel it! Heal it!
Old Troll laughed, when he heard Tom groan,
And he knew his toes could feel it.
Tom’s leg is game, since home he came,
And his bootless foot is lasting lame;
But Troll don’t care, and he’s still there
With the bone he boned from its owner.
Doner! Bone-r!
Troll’s old seat is still the same,
And the bone he boned from its owner!
I asked to know from someone else perspective.
End-game content is what I wish to see. Even simple random maps with a few current level assets & a end map boss with beef-up difficulties. Keep it not overturned, maybe 2-3 difficulties higher than hell is enough.