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Diablo III (2012)
With the success of both Diablo 1 and 2, Diablo III was released in 2012 amid immense anticipation.
Diablo III launched featuring improved graphics and spectacular skills compared to its predecessor, and unlike previous installments, it was released with a model closer to an online game.
By introducing an "Auction House" system that allowed item trading between players within the game, trading became incredibly active. In its early days, it was beloved for its fast-paced combat, enhanced visuals, and solid storytelling.
Players could choose to play as one of five classes: Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Monk, Witch Doctor, or Wizard.
Unlike earlier entries, the difficulty options were greatly expanded, eventually reaching Torment level 13, allowing for even more difficult challenges.
With the release of the expansion "Reaper of Souls" in 2014, the Crusader class was introduced. While similar to the previous game's Paladin, it featured powerful attack skills utilizing shields.
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| Source: Battle.net |
Despite selling over 30 million copies worldwide and being one of the most popular games, Diablo III eventually began to receive criticism, earning the nickname "Sleep-lo" (a portmanteau of sleep and Diablo).
The Auction House system, which many had utilized, was removed, and item trading between characters was restricted.
Trading was changed so that only items obtained through cooperative play in the same session could be traded for a limited time, causing dissatisfaction among many players.
Additionally, while the introduction of the Season system provided a sense of freshness as if playing a new game each time, players inevitably felt fatigue from the inconvenience of having to regrow characters from scratch and the repetitive nature of the gameplay.
Diablo Immortal (2022)
When Diablo Immortal was revealed at BlizzCon, it drew resentment from many Diablo enthusiasts. The reason was that its release as a mobile game was seen as a departure from the franchise's PC heritage.
In 2022, Diablo Immortal was released for iOS and Android. While initially met with skepticism due to its mobile-centric design, it aimed to bring the dark fantasy world to a broader audience by utilizing touchscreen controls and online multiplayer.
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| Source: Battle.net |
Contrary to the initial backlash, Diablo Immortal successfully gained popularity and began to be used by many people.
It was playable on PC as well as mobile; offering both versions with streamlined combat mechanics to increase accessibility turned out to be a good choice.
Diablo IV (2023)
In 2023, Diablo IV was released, signaling the return of the legend once again.
Unlike its predecessors, Diablo IV opted for an open world featuring a non-linear campaign and sophisticated graphics, aiming to provide a modern gaming system while combining the best aspects of previous entries.
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| Source: Battle.net |
The story is set after the events of Diablo III and follows the struggle against Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto.
There are five classes in total—Barbarian, Sorcerer, Druid, Rogue, and Necromancer—and the game introduced a skill tree system that evolved further from the one in Diablo II.
A system was established where points gained upon reaching the level cap allow players to develop their characters in their desired direction, enabling various experimental builds.
While it is true that Diablo IV absorbed many strengths, the absence of popular classes like the Amazon or Demon Hunter in favor of the Rogue has left some feeling a void regarding dedicated bow characters.
Like Diablo III, it implemented a Season system, allowing for new quests and stories more than its predecessor, with some new items and systems being permanently applied rather than disappearing when the next season arrives.
In 2024, the expansion "Vessel of Hatred" was released along with the addition of a new class, the Spiritborn.
At the same time, by bringing back the "Runeword" system—one of the most popular elements from Diablo II—many players are once again immersing themselves in the world of Diablo.
The Diablo series is the most influential franchise in the Action RPG genre; while it currently sits between praise and criticism, that itself is evidence of how many people are enjoying the game.