By the end of its development, Diablo III had evolved into a refined and rewarding experience, excelling in both gameplay mechanics and overall design. Blizzard had the perfect opportunity to build on this success with Diablo IV, embracing a darker tone while preserving the elements that defined the franchise.
Instead of continuing to lead the genre, they shifted toward a monetization-driven model reminiscent of Path of Exile. This move undermines traditional ARPG mechanics, weakening the series’ identity. While Diablo III had a clear path to improvement, Diablo IV risks remaining fundamentally flawed unless its developers recognize the problem and take meaningful action.