Note to Blizzard:
I’m old enough to remember when Diablo 1 first came out. I didn’t even get to play it but could only watch my friend as my computer wasn’t strong enough. Yet, every day I would run to his house just to see what new items he found. It felt like such a huge accomplishment when he was high enough level to put on some new armor that gave him a new look. I didn’t even do anything but felt like I was part of it just because I witnessed it.
When Diablo 2 came out I begged my boss at my part-time job to go home early just so I could play it for an additional hour. It seemed almost revolutionary as it was not purely dungeons like the first game but added an open world. Mixing and matching equipment just so that you could equip something else because it gave you 5 more strength was frustrating and yet satisfying. Dungeons still remained at the heart of the game and provided so much gratification when you made it through.
Diablo 3 went through many iterations and I admit when I first played it, it felt a little lacking. The same basic gameplay of D2 but it just felt different. I still enjoyed it though as there were many more new concepts to figure out. It has had a long life overall too as they made the end-game really shine as you were always trying to mix/max your equipment. In the latter days, it was all about pushing yourself to see how high you could go in different torments. Higher you went the more mob density, rewards, and experience.
When Diablo 4 was announced I impatiently waited. Even talked my daughter into buying it for me for my birthday which gave me beta access. Now that the game has been out I’m still waiting for that feeling of “this is so cool”. Maybe it’s just that I’m older now but the game doesn’t feel the same. It doesn’t feel like Diablo. Dungeons are lackluster and mostly pointless. Leveling after 50 starts to feel like another household chore. Sidequests may as well not exist and end-game activities quickly become repetitive.
When I think of Diablo I think of epic dungeons with gold and loot explosions after killing a boss. The search for that perfect piece of equipment that will complete my build and wonder if there is anything else out that I just haven’t seen yet. Tinkering with different builds and concepts just to see if it works or not.
Sorry for the long read but Blizzard, what happened? Have you not played any of the previous games? Have you not thoroughly tested this game? Please get back into what makes Diablo, Diablo. I know you can do it with some adjustments. Just listen to your community and make calculated decisions, not knee-jerk reactions.
Thank you
Blizzard fanboy since 1994 (Warcraft)