Diablo 4 has a reputation... and it's not a great one. A lot of people either bounced off during its rough launch, or never even touched it because of... well, Blizzard being Blizzard. Which means a huge chunk of players have never actually seen what the game looks like today - after three years of updates, fixes, and now two major expansions.

So the big question is: what is Diablo 4 like today? Is it actually good? Does it still have major problems? And most importantly, is it worth your time and money?

Video version of this review (~11 minutes)

Is It Like Diablo 2 or 3?

So I spent a few weeks with the freshly reworked Diablo 4, and the first thing that hit me - besides whatever nightmare this thing is - is that Diablo 4 has completely abandoned that cartoony World of Warcraft style of its predecessor in favor of a world so grimdark that Games Workshop is probably working on a lawsuit as we speak. And that tone carries straight into the gameplay - because Diablo 4 doesn’t just look brutal, it feels brutal as well. Your attacks shatter enemies, leave bits of demon sushi everywhere, or just explode them so hard they turn into skeletons and fly off into the sunset.

There are no two ways about it - the world of Sanctuary sucks. It's an awful place where even going to the toilet has you risking dismemberment from at least five different demons, and Diablo 4 does not shy away from wallowing in all that misery. But this isn't a complaint. It's a return to form. A return to that Diablo 1 and 2 atmosphere that made the struggle against the Prime Evils feel like an actual struggle. Diablo 4 has a grittiness to it that just feels right.

But like any deal with demons, there is a catch. While the overall feel of each area will definitely stick with you, the actual open-world map is essentially a spiderweb of random corridors criss-crossing the entire world - and if you, right now, put a crossbow to my head and asked me to draw even a single section from memory, I'd use that time to write my will.

Diablo 4 really nails that 'the world is ending' vibe

What's the Gameplay Like?

But does that actually matter? My will? Yes. The map design - not really, given that it's basically just there to give your fingers a break between button-mashing through hordes of demons. And that right there is why I keep finding myself drawn back to Diablo 4.

The simple process of clicking a button and watching demons turn into confetti is the best it's ever been in a Diablo game. The visuals, the sound, the heft behind each attack - it all combines into a deeply satisfying combat system. Especially once you unlock your build's full potential, because once you can unleash a barrage of rainbow spells so extravagant it lags your friend's PC, that's when you know it's good.

But this is also where Diablo 4 gets divisive. While you can do whatever you want on the lower difficulties, the further you push, the faster you'll need to go. Partly because it's more optimal, and in a game about hunting big numbers that's just how it goes, and partly because the best form of crowd control is death. And when you're fighting a guy whose title spans half the damn screen, it's usually best to give him a swift ass-kicking before he can show you just how sadistic game developers can truly be.

Personally, I really like speed - uhm, that's a terrible way to phrase that, but you get what I mean. Building a character from scratch, slowly getting more and more powerful until you become an unstoppable god just blitzing through everything that once gave you trouble - that's just fun, pure and simple. And sure, this does mean that once you're nearly maxed out the game has a limited shelf life before pancaking demons starts feeling like an actual job, but that's perfectly fine by me. I'd rather leave the game on a high note and then come back later feeling fresh and excited, rather than grind until the very thought of playing the game gives me a PTSD flashback.

The special effects can get a bit overwhelming though

Is the Story Any Good?

Speaking of trauma, there is one part of Diablo 4 that truly hurts my soul - the story. And it's not because the story is doggy doo-doo. Instead, it's because it starts promising, with interesting ideas and some genuinely great characters, only to then rip the carpet out from under you and reveal it was doggy doo-doo all along.

Which is a real shame, because Lilith is an awesome villain. She wants to break the cycle. To kick both angels and demons out of Sanctuary and let humanity finally be the master of its own fate. It's a cool concept, and one given a lot of weight by the fact that all the demons and angels you meet are about as welcoming as a raging house fire. I could easily see myself joining Lilith, and that right there is the hallmark of a great villain.

But sadly the story just doesn't go anywhere with it. All the unique ideas get quickly abandoned in favor of telling a very generic Blizzard story - the kind where you can probably map out the entire plot within the first few hours if you've played any of their other games.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope. I've only just sunk my teeth into the Lord of Hatred expansion, but the story already seems better. Not great, but heading in the right direction. Whether it'll stick the landing or just smash straight into the ground like Wile E. Coyote, that remains to be seen, but at least Blizzard seems to be trying, and that I can appreciate.

Lilith is great. It's just a shame the story doesn't use her presence well

Do You Need to Grind?

But what I really, truly appreciate is just how little grinding Diablo 4 expects of you. Sure, if you want the absolute tip-top perfect build you'll end up looking like that guy from South Park, but none of that is necessary. You can beat all of the fun endgame challenges purely through casual play. It'll take you a while if you're not playing actively, but it's still a completely reasonable goal and not something designed exclusively for the unemployed. And I know this for a fact, because I've done it multiple times.

That said, the new expansion has shaken up the formula a bit. How exactly, I'm still figuring out, but I'm not too worried. It's been the same system for three years now, so I doubt Blizzard is suddenly going to take a hacksaw to their own game. And if they do, feel free to rub it in my face.

What Diablo 4 also gets right, and this is something I wish World of Warcraft would have as well, is a good spread of difficulty levels that you can access from the very start. If you're like me and you can only have fun if your fun bits are stuck in a vice, being able to start off on difficulty 4/8 is brilliant. Suddenly those early game bosses that you could beat while sipping coffee become a life-or-death struggle - but in a fun way, because you control how hard they're going to shove a tentacle down your nose.

And mind you, this isn't just about suffering. Higher difficulties also reward you with more experience and loot, meaning you can experiment with all sorts of different builds way ahead of schedule. It's a great system, and one I wish more ARPGs would embrace.

Powerful gear is accessible to even casual players

What's the Build Variety Like?

But what is the build-crafting actually like? Well, completely different than last week. Previously you would put up to five points in each skill and spend the rest on passive upgrades. Now the passives are completely gone, so instead of juggling a dozen small bonuses, you're mostly focused on making one or two core abilities absurdly powerful. For example, the Warlock can summon a swarm of piranhas that grows stronger the more toes it devours, and eventually even splits into more piranhas. It's piranhas all the way down, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't absurdly satisfying to watch them ravage everything.

Now usually this sort of 'on rails' design would get my mustache all tangled up, but since Diablo 4 is very friendly towards experimentation - what with respeccing being completely free - I don't really mind. At the end of the day, it's a game with a lot of unique and interesting ways to poke demons, so making the synergies between spells more obvious is great for new players who'd otherwise just flock to guides and mindlessly copy them.

And all of this becomes even better once you get into co-op, because that's where Diablo 4 really shines. There are a lot of subtle combos between the classes and builds, and having someone around to moan about the story or scream about cool moments just makes the whole experience better. But don't worry. Solo works perfectly fine - it's just that, like everything from watching paint dry to clobbering demons, things tend to be more fun in good company.

You can craft make some ridiculous spells, even while leveling

What About the Cash Shop?

And speaking of fun, let's talk about something that's not - the cash shop. At this point I'm accustomed to games trying to fleece you for all you're worth, but even so I feel like Diablo 4 takes a bit too much inspiration from the titular demon.

It's a paid game with two paid expansions and a seasonal battle pass, so did it also need a shop full of micro-transactions that are so expensive they're just transactions at this point? I know I'm basically screaming into the void at this point since these shops are everywhere, but Diablo 4 just takes it way too far.

But, and this is what they always say, it's all cosmetic. You don't actually need any of it to enjoy the game. And while you will look like a hobo because of it, I would still recommend restraint as the extras simply aren't worth the money. Don't let the demons win!

The skins are cool, but the 25€ price tag is not

Would I Recommend Diablo 4?

But is Diablo 4 worth the money - and more importantly, your time? Absolutely. I've been playing it on and off for years and I've never gotten bored with it. It's fast, flashy, and it lets you craft some genuinely fantastic builds.

It's nowhere near as hardcore as something like Path of Exile - but if you're after an ARPG you won't have to dedicate your soul to, Diablo 4 is - ironically enough - the place to go. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to feed my swarm of demonic piranhas.

[Note]: If you're looking to jump into Diablo 4, I've also released a Beginner's Guide covering the things I wish I knew before I first started.