Diablo IV
- June 4, 2023
- Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
- 30h median play time
Get your fingers limbered up for a return to the world of Diablo, with updated visuals and gameplay elements... it's a hell of a lot of fun!
Diablo IV is an upcoming horror hack-and-slash game that offers various play options, including local multi-player for two players, multi-player, co-op, and single-player modes. The game boasts a spectacular story, phenomenal game mechanics, and PvP with a split-screen feature for local co-op. The "Vessel of Hatred" edition includes exclusive armor, pets, mounts, and cosmetic items, along with platinum and a seasonal premium battle pass token.
Reviews
- story2,847 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of Diablo IV has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it engaging and well-presented through high-quality cutscenes and voice acting. However, some criticize it for being predictable, lacking depth, and feeling disjointed due to an overwhelming number of repetitive side quests that detract from the main narrative. While the game successfully captures a darker atmosphere reminiscent of earlier titles, it struggles to maintain player investment in the storyline, especially after the campaign concludes, leading to concerns about the overall pacing and engagement of the plot.
“The story is captivating to the point you don't want to stop playing, but at the same time grinding and doing side quests doesn't feel like it's stopping you from progressing.”
“The story is engaging, and the game runs buttery smooth even in high resolutions with ray tracing (RT) on.”
“The main storyline is gripping, filled with intriguing characters and plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
“I was hoping for a story that would pull me in, but instead, I'm just going through the motions, clicking through dialogue to get to the next fight.”
“The story is absolutely linear though, don't expect to make any decisions, forget decisions which have consequences.”
“The story is boring, incoherent, linear as hell and unsatisfying - it also neatly pushes the player into buying the DLC to see the final conclusion after some rather stupid actions of one of the protagonists.”
- gameplay1,620 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Diablo IV has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its addictive hack-and-slash mechanics, diverse character classes, and engaging combat. However, criticisms highlight a repetitive gameplay loop, lack of innovation compared to previous titles, and issues with online connectivity affecting the experience. While the game offers a visually stunning world and a solid core gameplay experience, some players feel it falls short in depth and challenge, particularly in the endgame content.
“Diablo 4's gameplay is a masterclass in action RPG design, blending addictive combat, deep character customization, and an expansive open world.”
“The core gameplay loop revolves around exploring dungeons, slaying hordes of enemies, collecting loot, and upgrading skills, which remains as compelling as ever.”
“The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between satisfying, fast-paced combat and deep character progression.”
“It has lazy mechanics with lazily designed enemies and bosses.”
“The gameplay loop is extremely easy and repetitive, skill tree is very limited, loot progression is completely messed up if you start the game now.”
“The gameplay is boring, linear skill tree, the game got simplified so much it's truly just a hack'n'slash game, nothing more, nothing less.”
- graphics1,130 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in Diablo IV have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, effectively capturing the dark, gothic aesthetic reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. Many players highlight the impressive detail in environments and character models, with some noting that the graphics serve as a significant improvement over Diablo III. However, there are mixed opinions regarding optimization and performance, with some users experiencing issues such as graphical glitches and frame rate drops, which detract from the overall experience.
“The graphics are stunning, with incredible attention to detail in both the environments and character designs.”
“The dark and gritty art style, coupled with detailed environments and terrifying enemy designs, create a sense of dread and foreboding that perfectly captures the essence of the Diablo universe.”
“Diablo IV absolutely nails it with mind-blowing graphics and an art style that's seriously on point.”
“The graphics look really bland though, very mediocre for a franchise like Diablo.”
“The graphics are inferior; it's like playing a game back in 1989 before graphics were improved.”
“Despite its dark and atmospheric world, the game ultimately feels like a hollow shell of its former self, with uninspired gameplay, lackluster visuals, and a myriad of technical issues plaguing the experience.”
- monetization485 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The monetization model in Diablo IV has drawn significant criticism for its aggressive and pervasive nature, with many players feeling that the presence of numerous microtransactions, including a battle pass and expensive cosmetic items, detracts from the overall experience of the game. While some argue that these microtransactions are optional and purely cosmetic, the overwhelming focus on monetization has led to perceptions of the game as a cash grab, especially given its full-price entry cost. Overall, the monetization practices have left a sour taste for many, overshadowing the game's potential enjoyment.
“The inventory style and menu is doing everything possible to parallel the gacha games, but at no time do you really feel pressured into conducting microtransactions (though there are a lot of them available).”
“I get the anger about the microtransactions being so expensive but the thing is that they are totally optional and are cosmetic... there are plenty of awesome armors in the game.”
“The microtransactions are only shown to you at your login screen/character select; once in the game, it never shows up.”
“It feels like Blizzard has taken a page from the book of mobile gaming, pushing microtransactions that should have been part of the core game experience.”
“The monetization of this game is aggressive.”
“You pay for the game, plus there's a battle pass system, plus microtransactions for in-game items, plus microtransactions for cosmetics, plus DLC.”
- grinding464 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game where it often feels like a chore rather than an engaging experience. While some enjoy the grind for gear and character progression, others criticize the lack of meaningful rewards and the overwhelming focus on repetitive tasks, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate grinding as a core mechanic, but it may deter players seeking a more varied and rewarding gameplay experience.
“And, speaking of leveling up, I find the leveling and crafting after the level cap to be fun and not grindy, thanks to enjoyable combat.”
“Completing all side quests and exploring the whole zone in D2, not grinding levels, maintained good difficulty and challenge.”
“Mindless destruction, can multitask this game with other activities, no concentration required, simple controls, no grinding per se to deal with, just kill, kill, kill!”
“I remember the days when gear progression felt earned, not just a product of endless grinding with no guaranteed payoff.”
“The grind is still tedious and too much of that grind is locked behind specific activities, like the pit, which gets old really quickly.”
“After finishing the campaign, which was incredibly boring and tedious, the whole game opens in all of its 'beauty' and then it hits you.”
- music299 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in Diablo IV has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and haunting qualities that enhance the game's dark tone. While some players find the soundtrack to be exceptional and reminiscent of earlier entries in the series, others feel it lacks memorable hooks and can be forgettable. Overall, the music is often highlighted as one of the game's strengths, contributing significantly to the immersive experience, despite some criticisms regarding its originality and impact compared to previous titles.
“The ambient soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s dark tone, with haunting melodies and foreboding chants that evoke a sense of dread.”
“The soundtrack and voice acting further enhance the dark, foreboding atmosphere, pulling players deeper into the world of Sanctuary.”
“The music helps accentuate the dark and horror themes by making very atmospheric music that makes the scenery and the world come to life.”
“The music feels dull.”
“Extremely bland soundtrack.”
“The music is atmospheric if you don't listen closely, but entirely forgettable.”
- atmosphere256 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Diablo 4 is widely praised for its dark, gothic aesthetic that successfully returns to the franchise's roots, reminiscent of the earlier titles. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and the overall sense of foreboding that permeates the game world, creating a captivating experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of engagement with the story and a muted vibe in certain areas, which can detract from the overall immersion.
“The atmosphere is so well done; it’s like stepping into a gothic painting where every shadow is hiding something sinister.”
“Diablo 4 is visually stunning, capturing the bleak and foreboding atmosphere of Sanctuary with meticulous attention to detail.”
“The world of Sanctuary is hauntingly beautiful, with environments that are rich in detail and dripping with atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, which should have been one of Diablo's strongest points, has this weird, muted vibe.”
“For a series known for its addictive gameplay and rich atmosphere, Diablo IV falls disappointingly short.”
“The dark atmosphere present in versions 2 (and even 3) is completely lacking.”
- stability215 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 73 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly impact gameplay. While some users have noted that the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, others have experienced severe issues, particularly related to server connectivity and performance during intense gameplay moments. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has potential, its current state is marred by technical problems that detract from the overall experience.
“The game runs great and looks great this way.”
“Runs great on steam deck locked on 45 fps with medium to high settings.”
“Fantastic game, runs great, never had a crash or anything. This game is very polished and the microtransactions are limited to cosmetic stuff.”
“This game is very buggy; it will crash in the middle of a battle.”
“I have had nothing but freezes, crashes, and connectivity issues... I consistently get booted from the session, then have to wait for minutes for the cloud save data to sync before being able to reconnect.”
“The amount of crashes, freezes, and lagging, especially when interacting with the UI or entering a new area (which happens all the time), is causing a bad experience.”
- optimization201 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on high-end systems and the Steam Deck, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and lag, particularly on lower-end hardware. Many users express frustration over the game's frequent disconnects and server-related performance problems, suggesting that overall optimization could be improved. Despite these criticisms, some players have experienced smooth gameplay and commend the graphics, indicating that performance may vary widely depending on individual setups.
“The game runs smoothly on various Linux distributions, thanks to the efforts of the Proton project, which enables Windows games to be played on Linux.”
“Game is optimized well and can be cranked up to look hella good.”
“Perfect optimization, no frame drops, solid and smooth gameplay!”
“But the performance is terrible; the microstutters make this game unplayable.”
“The game frequently crashes and is unoptimized.”
“The optimization is horrible for this game, really noticeable in world bosses, and there is no option to disable or reduce other players' effects.”
- replayability88 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is a mixed bag. While many players appreciate the diverse character classes, customizable skill trees, and seasonal content that enhance replay value, others criticize the repetitive endgame and lack of meaningful choices that limit long-term engagement. Despite these concerns, the game still offers a significant amount of content and potential for replayability, particularly for those who enjoy exploring different builds and challenges.
“Its blend of exploration, fast-paced combat, and loot-driven progression creates a highly replayable experience.”
“The variety of character classes allows for endless customization and replayability, and the skill trees are thoughtfully designed to cater to different playstyles.”
“With its stunning visuals, addictive gameplay, and endless replayability, it's a worthy successor to the classic Diablo games.”
“The graphics are phenomenal, but everything else kind of sucks. The writing is barely enough to be mediocre, censorship compared to its previous games, and very boring events with not enough incentive for replayability or grinding. The game has almost no depth either.”
“While the game offers a significant amount of content, the replayability is somewhat hindered by the repetitive nature of the endgame.”
“For a huge number of reasons, this game has very limited replayability for a veteran of the genre.”
- humor48 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of darkly comedic elements and absurd situations, such as battling cow enemies and the ridiculousness of microtransaction prices. While some players find moments of amusement in gameplay and community interactions, many express disappointment over the lack of genuine humor and creativity in the game's design, feeling that it leans more towards frustrating than funny. Overall, the humor is seen as inconsistent, with some players appreciating the comedic aspects while others lament the absence of a cohesive comedic tone.
“Diablo 2 even had so many light-hearted fun options, you could kill cows that wielded axes and halberds and had funny sound effects where they go 'mooo' every time they died, for crying out loud.”
“The voiceover for the Vessel of Hatred trailer is so funny, *buy the DLC to get a pet cat and two other pets* in a grave voice.”
“It's so hilarious to see the difference in effort put into the free cosmetics and the premium cosmetics.”
“The humor in this game falls flat; it tries too hard to be funny but ends up being cringeworthy instead.”
“I expected some lighthearted moments, but the jokes are stale and often miss the mark.”
“The attempts at humor feel forced and detract from the overall experience rather than enhance it.”
- emotional42 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 31 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the stellar voice acting and dramatic moments that evoke genuine feelings, while others criticize the overall story as boring and lacking depth. Many express frustration over underdeveloped character arcs and pacing issues, which hinder emotional investment in the narrative. Despite a few touching moments, the game's reliance on microtransactions and repetitive gameplay detracts from the emotional experience for several players.
“Voice acting is stellar, delivering emotionally charged performances that breathe life into the narrative.”
“Also the campaign story is genuinely emotional and superbly voice-acted, and had me caring about the characters.”
“Main story is dramatic, impressive, interesting, and touching.”
“What I disliked was the especially dull and boring story in the last act.”
“Voice acting was awful at times and it has sort of boring storytelling.”
“This game is only nice graphics, no story (boring story and text), bad OST unlike D1 and D2, and very complicated mechanics make you stop playing after the first hour.”
- character development32 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the complexity and customization options available, while others criticize it for being shallow and lacking emotional depth. Many players appreciate the stunning character designs and immersive environments, but feel that the overall character growth is limited and does not significantly impact gameplay or narrative. Despite some positive aspects, several reviewers express disappointment in the lack of meaningful character arcs and engaging storylines.
“I like the complexity of character development and the variety of the opportunities.”
“The character development is well built.”
“It's one of the most complete action RPGs ever made, and with its solid story, much-improved narrative, dark environments, super deep character development mechanics and excellent dark visuals and atmosphere, beautiful soundtrack, play for the next twenty to fifty hours - or more.”
“However, issues with pacing and character development can impact the emotional depth of the plot.”
“It's shallow, with no character development; I don't care about anyone in the game.”
“While the game attempts to inject some emotional weight into the proceedings with dramatic cutscenes and character moments, the story ultimately feels like an afterthought, with little in the way of meaningful character development or narrative depth.”
Critic Reviews
Diablo IV Review
Get your fingers limbered up for a return to the world of Diablo, with updated visuals and gameplay elements... it's a hell of a lot of fun!
98%Diablo 4 review
Diablo 4 is packed with powerful class builds and exciting loot to find, but clouds its most creative aspects with an overly bleak world and restrictive endgame systems.
85%Diablo 4 review
Diablo 4 may not be the huge leap forward some were hoping for, but it still offers an incredible adventure through a dark, compelling world.
90%