Diablo IV

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 16,992 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Diablo IV Game Cover
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!
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"Diablo IV is an action RPG set in the sinister world of Sanctuary, where players must combat evil forces and complete the campaign, with the option to participate in new seasonal content. The Standard Edition includes Inarius Wings and Murloc pet for Diablo III, while the Digital Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offer additional in-game items for Diablo IV and other Blizzard games."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 16,992 reviews
story1,186 positive mentions
grinding571 negative mentions
  • story3,362 mentions

    The story of Diablo IV has received mixed reviews from players, with many praising its dark and immersive atmosphere, engaging cutscenes, and character development, particularly regarding the antagonist Lilith. However, numerous players have criticized the pacing, repetitive quest design, and a lack of emotional depth, often describing the main narrative as predictable and filled with generic fetch quests. While some find the story compelling enough to keep them invested, others feel it falls short compared to previous entries in the franchise, leading to a sense of disconnection from the characters and plot.

    • “The story, as always with Diablo, is top notch. I'm not a fan of single-player campaigns in general, but I've always loved Blizzard campaigns; they just get me.”
    • “The main storyline is gripping, filled with intriguing characters and plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The dark atmosphere, engaging combat, and rich storytelling make it a must-play for any fan of the action RPG genre.”
    • “The fun part ends when you reach level 50; then it's no longer rewarding for either continuing main quests or farming side quests while you haven't finished the main story.”
    • “The story just feels dry; I felt very little connection to it.”
    • “The main story is a boring rehashed mess, nothing new.”
  • gameplay1,893 mentions

    The gameplay of Diablo IV has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its addictive core loop and satisfying combat mechanics, reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. However, criticisms highlight issues such as repetitive quests, lack of meaningful endgame content, and frustrating mechanics like one-shot deaths and server stability problems. While the game offers a visually stunning experience and engaging character builds, some players feel it falls short in innovation and depth compared to its predecessors and competitors in the genre.

    • “It captures the feel of Diablo 2 whilst improving on the mechanics from Diablo 3.”
    • “The combat is addicting and satisfying and the gameplay will keep you hooked.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, fast-paced, and rewarding.”
    • “However, the gameplay itself is mind-numbing.”
    • “The gameplay is already a bit outdated, but after appropriate modifications it is still effective and dynamic.”
    • “The gameplay loop is not good enough to justify the everlasting copy/paste dungeons and fetch quests you have to endure to finish the damn campaign.”
  • graphics1,309 mentions

    The graphics in Diablo IV have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, dark and immersive art style, and attention to detail, making it a significant upgrade from its predecessor, Diablo III. Many players appreciate the atmospheric design and the game's ability to run smoothly on various platforms, including lower-end systems. However, some critiques mention a lack of diversity in visual elements and occasional performance issues, suggesting that while the graphics are impressive, they may not fully compensate for gameplay shortcomings.

    • “The graphics are stunning, with an attention to detail that makes each location feel alive – or, more accurately, un-dead.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, with detailed environments and character models that bring the world of Sanctuary to life.”
    • “Diablo IV absolutely nails it with mind-blowing graphics and an art style that's seriously on point.”
    • “Also, if you have a lower power computer, aka not a 3k gaming PC, make sure you do not download the updated graphics or the game will be unplayable.”
    • “With quite literally 20 minutes into the game (I played the beta previously and was immensely disappointed), I immediately was even more disappointed to see the graphical quality is that of amateur indie devs. The corpses are made of all of 5 polygons (I'm on a 40 series card with absolutely highest settings possible) and the visuals had absolutely not improved, looking straight awful and no improvements to what 'next gen' is supposed to feel like for ARPGs.”
    • “The graphics are inferior; it's like playing a game back in 1989 before graphics were improved.”
  • grinding595 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 the focus shifts to farming the same bosses and dungeons for incremental upgrades. While some players enjoy the grind as a mindless, engaging activity, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, particularly when the rewards seem minimal or unimpactful. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate grinding for gear, but it may frustrate players seeking a more dynamic and rewarding gameplay loop.

    • “It's not too grindy, controls are great and responsive, performance is great, the story is definitely diablo-class (I'll give it a 90), cutscene is blizzard-class (it's 10/10).”
    • “I was exploring and completing all the quests I came across, as can be considered normal, not grinding in any way.”
    • “Completing all side quests and exploring the whole zone in D2, not grinding levels, maintained good difficulty and challenge.”
    • “The fun part ends when you reach level 50; then it's no longer rewarding for either continuing main quests or farming side quests while you haven't finished the main story.”
    • “Best part of the game is after you waste your time grinding for endgame loot or masterworking your loot, you're going to realize there's no endgame content in this game besides killing tormented bosses over and over and over and over, then you'll come to the conclusion that this game is a big waste of money and an even bigger waste of time.”
    • “The endgame loot is such a boring, grindy RNG hell just to make incremental progress.”
  • monetization466 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as predatory due to the presence of expensive cosmetic microtransactions, a battle pass, and the requirement for an always-online connection. While some argue that the microtransactions are optional and do not impact gameplay, others feel that they detract from the overall experience and reflect a cash grab mentality from the developers. Overall, the aggressive monetization practices have left a sour taste for many, especially considering the game's full price.

    • “The monetization is honestly kind of fair.”
    • “From what I've gathered so far (22.3 hours of gameplay at the time of writing this review), microtransactions only apply to cosmetic things.”
    • “But the microtransactions are purely cosmetic so you can just not get them and it won’t change your gameplay experience.”
    • “This is a full priced game, with paid expansions and it still has one of the worst microtransactions I have ever seen in a video game.”
    • “We’re paying $70 for the base game, and on top of that, there’s an overpriced battle pass system, microtransactions pushing nearly $20 per item, and a $70 DLC on the horizon.”
    • “The monetization is predatory as f***.”
  • music352 mentions

    The music in Diablo IV has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and nostalgic ties to earlier entries in the series, while others find it forgettable or lacking in originality. Some players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, while others criticize it as mediocre or repetitive. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's dark ambiance, though opinions vary on its memorability and impact.

    • “The soundtrack is great, the graphics are great, and the atmosphere is great.”
    • “Soundtrack and audio design: the music in Diablo IV is nothing short of phenomenal.”
    • “The music helps accentuate the dark and horror themes by making very atmospheric music that makes the scenery and the world come to life.”
    • “Music: nothing worth mentioning here.”
    • “Turned off the music, it's just unmemorable and lame like every other part of the game.”
    • “For Diablo, the background music is so bad that you'll never remember it, and it doesn't change much when entering dungeons and fights.”
  • stability274 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and freezes, particularly on PC. While it runs well on the Steam Deck, users have noted issues such as lag and disconnections, especially during high-action moments. Overall, while some players enjoy the game, the persistent stability problems detract significantly from the experience.

    • “Game also runs great on the steam deck and plays well on a controller.”
    • “It runs great on my steam deck, and after a few updates I've noticed that the PvP areas don't hog my RAM anymore.”
    • “Update: D4 runs great on Steam and is very stable; highly recommend playing through Steam.”
    • “The bugs and glitches are atrocious, and the lags & crashes are infuriating for sure.”
    • “The game is so buggy that every evening is like a game of chance - I never know if the game will start at all.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere267 mentions

    The atmosphere in Diablo IV is widely praised for its dark, gothic aesthetic that successfully revives the series' roots, reminiscent of the original Diablo games. Players appreciate the stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and a haunting ambiance that enhances the gameplay experience, although some note that the repetitive dungeon layouts can detract from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game is celebrated for its captivating visuals and atmospheric storytelling, making it a compelling experience for fans of the action RPG genre.

    • “The world of Sanctuary is hauntingly beautiful, with environments that are rich in detail and dripping with atmosphere.”
    • “The dark, gothic atmosphere, the fluid combat, the deep lore—it’s everything a Diablo fan could hope for.”
    • “Diablo 4 brings the franchise back to its dark, atmospheric roots with stunning visuals, intense gameplay, and promising new features.”
    • “There is almost no atmosphere to speak of as we had with D1 and D2 and to a lesser degree D3.”
    • “Nor am I going to comment on the fact that any atmosphere or depth the story and world might have (you'd need an electron tunneling microscope to find it), is completely and totally destroyed by the blatant monetization and the fact that every second bush has a gaggle of treasure goblins around it and you're swimming in 'uniques' and 'legendaries' by level 30.”
    • “For a series known for its addictive gameplay and rich atmosphere, Diablo IV falls disappointingly short.”
  • optimization230 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance and minimal issues on high-end systems, others experience significant stuttering, crashes, and lag, particularly during intense gameplay or when using certain settings. Many users suggest that despite the game's impressive graphics, further optimization is needed to enhance stability and performance across a wider range of hardware configurations.

    • “The game is very optimized.”
    • “Everything is voiced, graphics are excellent and the optimization is amazing.”
    • “Perfect optimization, no frame drops, solid and smooth gameplay!”
    • “The game is poorly optimized, and making it a live service game just lends it to connection issues and lag.”
    • “The constant stuttering/rubberbanding that's prevalent everywhere in the game makes it feel absolutely terrible to play.”
    • “Despite me having a decent PC and 100mb connection, there is horrific stuttering whenever I'm on a horse, the game will disconnect me every time I port to town, navigating the menus is horrifically slow, the game frequently crashes.”
  • replayability98 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the seasonal content and distinct character classes that enhance replay value, while others criticize the limited choices and lack of campaign replayability. Many agree that the open-world design and ongoing updates contribute positively, but some veterans feel it falls short compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, the game offers significant replayability for casual players, but may not satisfy those seeking deeper, varied experiences.

    • “Fun game, lots of replayability, seasons are adding something different and you don't need to buy the battle pass to take part.”
    • “With its stunning visuals, addictive gameplay, and endless replayability, it's a worthy successor to the classic Diablo games.”
    • “The classes are fun and completely distinct from one another, adding a lot of replayability.”
    • “The few choices I had didn't matter at all in the end, so no real replay value for the story.”
    • “For a huge number of reasons, this game has very limited replayability for a veteran of the genre.”
    • “I know people have been complaining a lot about many other issues, but for a casual player like me, its replay value is close to null.”
  • humor54 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some players finding moments of dark comedy and absurdity, particularly in the game's dialogue and microtransaction pricing. However, many reviewers feel that the overall sense of humor is lacking, with a notable absence of surprises or imaginative content, leading to a perception that the developers may not have invested genuine care into the game's comedic elements. While some players enjoy humorous interactions within the community, the game's narrative and mechanics often overshadow these moments, leaving a mixed impression of its comedic value.

    • “Gameplay is fun, but the story is hilariously bad.”
    • “The voice over 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.”
    • “Yes, I know there are people out there who think that Diablo should look and feel like you're playing a bleak, besmirching, fart hole of a world where humanity is hanging on by the barest of threads, but even Diablo had moments where it was darkly humorous and somewhat funny.”
  • emotional44 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the story dull and lacking emotional attachment, while others appreciate its dramatic and touching moments. Many critiques highlight a disconnect with characters and repetitive gameplay, leading to frustration, though a few moments of emotional resonance and character depth are noted. Overall, the game's narrative struggles to engage players consistently, with some praising its improvements over previous installments, but many feeling it falls short of expectations.

    • “Let's just say I've never been so emotionally invested in a quest to retrieve a mystical artifact that looks suspiciously like my grandma's vintage lamp.”
    • “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.”
    • “Mobs, some boring story, boss fight every 1 hour max. Maybe if you invest 40 hours of gameplay in it, it would eventually become more fun.”
  • character development26 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the customization options and impressive character designs, while others criticize the lack of emotional depth and engaging storylines. Many players feel that the limited skill points and shallow character progression hinder meaningful development, leaving them disconnected from the characters. Overall, while the aesthetic aspects are well-received, the gameplay and narrative elements detract from a fulfilling character development experience.

    • “The character designs are great, and you can spend a lot of time customizing them.”
    • “I appreciated the gradual learning curve that allowed me to grow as a player while exploring the vast possibilities of character development.”
    • “The character designs are equally impressive, bringing the demonic denizens to life in a way that's both terrifying and mesmerizing.”
    • “It's shallow, with no character development; I don't care about anyone in the game.”
    • “Story is boring, no likable characters, no character development; your character is a boring NPC that never shows emotion.”
    • “The skill mechanics got an upgrade since D3, but you get a very, very limited amount of skill points, especially on account of hitting level 50 way too soon, and then you are stuck with leveling the paragon board, which is also small and quite limiting in terms of character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

Buy Diablo IV

Play time

30hMedian play time
78hAverage play time
9-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 152 analyzed playthroughs

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