It may be hard to believe, but it has been 25 years since the original Diablo, developed by Activision-owned Blizzard, debuted on PC and effectively pioneered the hack’n-slash dungeon-crawler genre. Over the years, the core concept has remained largely unchanged, a factor that paradoxically constitutes both Diablo IV‘s greatest strength and its most significant weakness.
The narrative of Diablo IV commences with a band of unscrupulous looters who, driven by avarice, inadvertently activate a dormant portal. From this portal emerges Lilith, the Daughter of Hatred (Mephisto), returning to Sanctuary amidst the ongoing conflict between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. As the player-controlled hero, you must seek out the remnants of the Horadrim and enlist the aid of the enigmatic Inarius to stand against the encroaching forces of evil.
Those familiar with Diablo: Immortal on mobile platforms will recognize several elements. Notably, the character classes share similarities; the popular and potent Necromancer class makes a return, accompanied by the Druid class, characterized by its animal-taming abilities and robust physique, as a new addition. The game necessitates a persistent online connection, which can be detrimental to the experience when playing solo due to increased latency, potential bugs, and the possibility of server disconnects. While improved, these issues are reminiscent of the turbulent launch of the third installment a decade prior.
Regarding graphics, sound, and overall presentation, Diablo IV exhibits Blizzard’s signature high production values. The game features cinematic storytelling and a significant emphasis on dark and violent themes, aligning with its mature rating. The game is intended for an 18+ audience. Some sequences display compression artifacts, particularly in darker scenes, but the cohesive graphical and sonic experience largely mitigates this issue. The sound design is particularly commendable, deserving high praise. The mixing is well-balanced, the voice acting is strong, and the soundscape is expansive and immersive; a quality pair of headphones is highly recommended.
Concerning microtransactions, a prevalent concern in contemporary gaming: Diablo IV incorporates microtransactions, but these are restricted to purely aesthetic enhancements and do not offer pay-to-win advantages. While the inclusion of additional costs in a full-price title to accelerate progression or circumvent gameplay challenges is generally undesirable, the voluntary and cosmetic nature of these microtransactions is a reasonable compromise.
From a gameplay perspective, veterans of the series will find much that is familiar. The Diablo franchise has consistently offered an accessible entry point, rewarding players with character progression and item acquisition to enhance their avatars. However, this familiarity can also lead to a sense of repetition, particularly for those who have recently invested time in the free-to-play mobile title, which offers compelling short-session gameplay with its auto-save functionality. The PS5 version, which served as the test platform for this review, can feel somewhat repetitive after several hours of play. The game’s depth unfolds with continued investment, offering approximately 40 hours of content within the main storyline (though many side quests are non-essential). While the core gameplay loop remains engaging in short bursts, the underlying grind can become apparent. Whether players will persevere to level 30 and beyond, where more advanced abilities and gameplay mechanics are unlocked, remains a question, raising potential concerns about game balance.
The series may benefit from innovation at this juncture; a reboot might be necessary, as the limitations of the isometric perspective and monster-slaying mechanics become increasingly apparent. Despite the potential for new players to find significant enjoyment in Diablo IV, a sense of déjà vu persists.
Blizzard provided a review copy for evaluation. The provision of review materials does not influence editorial objectivity.
