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diablo franchise has lost its freshness

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: February 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

i enjoyed the first diablo. and i don't have a disdain for twitch games--i fire up unreal for a botmatch more frequently than i'd like to admit. but D2, which should have been the fantasty-twitch bomb, just didn't cut it for me. perhaps it was because i've been spoiled by the baldur's gate series in the years since D1's mac release.

you can't find peaceful solutions to hostile encounters in D2 (not that you'd always want to, but BG gives you that option often enough). the D2 quests basically consist of killing heaps and mounds of evil, after you've taken off the thin veneer of back-story; fetch-this quests also boil down to simple blood-letting. you kill a spectral wraith, and you get a random item such as leather armor--doesn't make a lot of sense, since it's hard to see why an ethereal creature would carry such a thing. this is, again, in contrast to BG, in which dispatching a baddie nets you the sword he was hacking you with, or the armor he was wearing. i guess i want my fantasy adventures to make a bit of sense, magic and stuff notwithstanding.

BG lets you pick pockets, throw long-winded and sometimes intensely funny taunts at opponents before battle, cancel an enemy mage's magic with your own magic, and lead NPCs down dialogue paths to obtain more information; when talking to NPCs, you can choose to be polite or mouthy.

i'm less than halfway through the D2, but it's going to be difficult to finish; there's not a lot motivating me to go on. simply put, D2 bores me. sorry to bring this back to baldur's gate again, but i think i would have enjoyed D2 a heck of a measure more in a baldur-less world. but now there's no going back--i'd rather immerse myself in a richer, more tactical game world that might be slower-paced than slice thru another army of personality-less monsters.

Good game, but DISAPPOINTING

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 11 / 21
Date: July 06, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Diablo 2 is a good game. That's it....a good game. After a 3.5 year wait, I was expecting a damned GREAT game. The story is uninspiring after playing the original....the art is dated, and the gameplay is not MUCH improved. If you are in desperate need of gaming (have already played the OTHER good games), get this game. If you're in the market for a GREAT game, buy Icewind Dale instead. You will not dislike this game, but great chances are that you will NOT love this game.

A souped up Diablo 1, but not as nice to look at as Nox

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 21
Date: May 28, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Sure, Nox has incredible graphics and is a heck of alot of fun to play on line, but Diablo II is sure to hit a home run with its deep game play. Having been on the drawing board for so long, unfortunatley graphics technology has past up this game before it has even hit the shelves. I think that is my only real beef with the game. The game has earned the rest of the 4 out of 5 stars in full! A couple of things to be looking for; The camera view of game play is zoomed in a bit closer to the action than in D1, so your field of veiw isn't quite that braod. The map display is very nice, but can be a bit more intrusive when left up during battles. When talking with an in town character and you have the listed menu displayed, you don't have to hit exit or esc to find your way out of the menu, you just walk away from the character you are talking to (The fewer keystrokes, the better). I have found that some of the houses that you can go into all look the same inside. I hope that this will not be the case when the full version is released, because it shows little imagination. Some of the items that can be found are "socketed" weapons/armor. Jewels and precious stones that are found to have different attributes and enhancments can be installed into these socketed items to furthur enhance them. I have found that to be very nice. When dealing with people in town to purchase new items, you see their actual inventory, not just a list of what to choose from. All in all, is this a game to purchase? Absolutely! Is it everything that you have dreamed of for the past 3-4 years? No, but it's darn close! Keep your expectations of being "wowed" to a conservative minimum, and you will find that this will become one of the best games to hit the streets - EVER.

Not so great for the single-player-oriented...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 11 / 21
Date: August 08, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Besides having all the system requirements necessary and still not being able to run the game, my biggest problem with it is not being able to save the game state. This completely ruins it for me--and probably for anyone else interested in the single-player aspect. It is truly awful to have to go back somewhere to get items that were perhaps left behind, only to have to fight everything that you already killed once all over again. Sadly, this ruins the game and storyline for me. I know other folks who aren't bothered by this at all, however. For me, though, it's just a terrible way to have released the game. I honestly think that they should've kept that save feature in the game, even if it meant releasing the game later.

Very good sequel to a classic

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: August 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I played Diablo 2 shortly after playing the first game and was immediately impressed by the improvements. (Note: I played Diablo 2 with the expansion, Lord of Destruction, installed, along with patch 1.10, both of which I highly recommend.) Not only was the expanded choice of characters refreshing, but the ways that you could customize the characters with the skill system was a vast improvement over the first game.

Gameplay: Very similar to the first game--a lot of mouse usage, along with the keyboard for hotkeys. This game is a bit more linear than the first Diablo, since none of its 21 quests are randomly selected (they are the same each game). However, the story is well told through first-rate cut-scenes and dialogue with NPCs. This game is much bigger than the first, and there are four different areas that you adventure in, including a desert, plains, a jungle, and, of course, hell. Most fights are resolved quick and nasty; however, the bosses at the end of each act (there are four acts) are all good fights. Diablo himself is much nastier than he was in the first game. You can hire a NPC to travel and fight with you, which is a nice feature that adds more excitement to the battles. Gameplay is overall quite good for a hack-and-slay action adventure with a sprinkling of roleplaying elements. There are really just two big problems. First, the game places quantity over quality when it comes to encounters with monsters. After you wade through literally hundreds of creatures, you will likely only remember the tough ones which infrequently appear and the end bosses. Although there are dozens of monster types in the game, they all become rather monotonous after you kill 50 or more of each type. The other problem with the game is the save system and what happens to you when you die. As others have said, Blizzard made a big blunder by having a game-save system that does not allow you to save the game where you are. Instead, when you save, you must exit the game. When you play again, you start out in the local town. Also, when you die, you are "resurrected" in the local town, but you must go back to the spot where you died in order to claim your equipment from your corpse. And of course, more likely than not you'll have to fight your murderers to get your stuff back. This system, and the music, are the only things that are inferior in Diablo 2 as compared to the first game.

Graphics: Good in 800x600 resolution (which you can only get with the Lord of Destruction expansion). Monsters, scenary, spell effects, and combat all look convincing. It looks as good as the Baldur's Gate games. The cut-scenes are the best I've ever seen.

Sound: Sound effects are generally well done. Voice acting is okay, although most NPCs don't speak with the kind of urgency you'd think they should have when facing the end of the world. The music is decent, but not as good as the thunderous drums of the first game.

Replay/value: If you liked the first Diablo, you'll probably like this one at least as good or better. And for the current price, it's worth it. It took me about 45 hours to finish everything with a Paladin character. Treasure, monsters, dungeon walls, shrines, and other things are randomly generated. Also, the game can be played over the internet, which should appeal to online gamers. I personally have no desire to go through it again, since none of the quests are random. However, the game is designed to encourage repeat play, especially since each character class is very different and the game has online capability.

Overall, Diablo 2 is a very good game, but not a great game in my opinion. It should offer many hours of gameplay and does have replay appeal. Don't look for the kind of depth that you would find in full-fledge computer roleplaying games such as Baldur's Gate or Morrowind. Diablo is less about acting out a part in a grand story (although there is some of this) and more about the instant satisfaction that comes with arcade-style action.

Fun...but a Little Boring

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: September 26, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Okay. I was never a big fan of the first Diablo game. One dungeon. Many levels. Many monsters. Many weapons. Many left clicks. That was really it. The story was decent, but as far as "engrossing" RPGs go, it could've been a lot better.

Along comes Diablo II, and I hoped it resolved the problems of the first game. First off, the graphics weren't really updated. In Act 1, the monsters looked bitmapped, and the animations weren't too hot. As the game progressed, the graphics got a little better, but still, I don't play games for the graphics foremost; it's the gameplay that counts. And again, this is where the Diablo franchise stalls. I like the 5 different classes; it makes for terrific replay value. But then again, when Icewind Dale, Planscape: Torment, and Baldur's Gate I and II are out there, do you really have time to go ahead and play the same game again as a different character? The skills were pretty cool and the plot was masterfully written and detailed in breathtakinig cutscenes. But something is missing in this game. I found some of the quests tedious and boring, without any real fulfillment when I completed them. It was like, "go here, kill this thing, and come back when you're done." Still, I did find myself battling hordes of demons well into the night, so it did keep my interest, simply based on the fact that I wanted to kill the big dude at the end. I worked hard to build up my barbarian, and I wanted it to be all worth it. The different locations were nice, although slightly formulaic (desert, jungle, ruins, etc.), and the ability to customize your character was a breath of fresh air. NPCs were okay, as your interaction with them was limited to mostly gossip and a few quest checkpoints. But don't get me wrong: Diablo II is a nice game, and probably worth the money. But if you're looking for a real story with a "true" RPG feel (a la different characters in a party format), do yourself a favor and pick up Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale. But if you're into tried-and-true, mindless hack-and-slash, Diablo II is your game.

Extremely addictive...'nuff said.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you think PC games are all show and no go these days, then think again. Diablo II brings to the table addictive, almost old-school type gameplay (it even reminded me of Zelda at times), rich sound effects, an involving storyline and adequate enough visuals to complement them, that it will keep you hooked for hours on end. I haven't played the first Diablo, so Diablo II was my introduction to the series.

In Diablo II you get to choose from five character classes which are barbarian, sorceress, amazon, paladin and necromancer. Each class is unique and has its strengths and weak points. For example the barbarian is great at close-up combat but is poor in the magic department and the sorceress is almost completely magic-dependant whereas paladin has equal amounts of both. This game is divided into "acts," which are sub-divided to various missions. You start off at a rogue encampment in act I, and then move onto the desert town of "Lut Gholein" in act II (which is as far as I went before being deprived of my copy due to the addiction). I had a little trouble conquering the "arcane sanctuary" with paladin. Aside from doing what you are told by townsfolk, you can also buy and trade weopons, armour, head-wear, belts and numerous other items, which proves to be half the fun of the game. You can store some of your gear in your private "stash" found in each town, as well as keep a fair amount with you during your missions. To make things less nerve-cracking, the game makes use of "waypoints," so that when a new area is discovered and if its waypoint is found, even if you die you can warp right there again. Also, if you die once and "save and exit" the game your corpse will be in the town in the next game, so all the weopons and items can be recollected. It's a very wise decision to make during the harder, more remote missions.

The visuals, though not upto current standards, are quite adequate. They don't need much improving at all. The sound effects and voices are quite crisp too. Also, prepare for all the gore you crave for, whether it be bashing up a "quillrat," a "sabercat" or one of the game's many bosses. There are various skills to be learnt which are unique to each character, as well as various shrines that refill life, magic, increase your combat skills or improve protection temporarily (plus a few more).

Diablo II is a very big, very involving and very addictive game with a lot of tasks to perform and a vast amount of weopons and rare items to be found, so anyone is going to have his/her hands full. And I am rating it five stars by playing it only halfway through! That's saying a lot.

Diablo 2 Stress Tester

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 11
Date: June 19, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I am a stress tester for Diablo 2. I have been playing it for about three weeks. Even though it is a beta test of the game I can't stop going to go back and playing the same worlds over again and again. I am currently on level 12 and I am going back again and again to get this piece of armor that I can't get till level 14. I will probably buy this game as soon as I can aford to buy it. The beta is three times better then the original diablo demo.

D2 is the BEST!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 14
Date: June 19, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This is the best game ever! Anyone who rates this less than 5 stars is nuts! I just got the beta a little while back and I'm hooked! I cant stop playing! If your a fan of the classic Diablo 1, then youll love the sequel! And if your new, its easy to pick up on and become seriously addicted by! Diablo 2 is god!

Is this game good? HELL YEAH!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 9
Date: July 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Let me just start by saing this, when I first got this game I played for 9 hours straight. I can only type this because Battle net is down right now. This game is more addictive then crack. If You liked Diablo at all, you will love this game. it is more of the same, but it is GREAT. Nothing comes closes to the feeling of Diablo 2. I can't stop playing. Second if you never played Diablo Try the demos of the orignal, they are about the same, only Diablo 2 is better. Third This game, like most games, is not perfect. There have been many bugs and many bugs are still out there. but the fact of the matter is that they got most of the worst ones out in the first two patches. so it is pretty sweet right now. Fourth, the only really negative thing you can say about this game is that Battle.net (the internet version) of it is down more then I like. But This is only the first month, once they get the bugs out they should have a totally excellent gaming engine. Fifth. If you have not gone out to get this game, you are missing out on a great game. IT is not the next DOOM But the orignal Diablo changed the industry and the new Diablo 2 is still rocking. If you like RPG and such you will LOVE Diablo 2. If you don't like RPG then try anyways (I was never a fan before these games) If you hate RPG Please move along and find other games. One final word of warning. Make sure to have a weekend coming up when you get this game, because it is so addictive. And have fun because this is the game of the year.

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