Diablo IV Review In Progress | MMORPG.com

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Diablo IV Review In Progress | MMORPG.com

After participating in the early review period for Diablo IV, Robin shares her thoughts on the ARPG in our review in progress.

Read the full story here

Scot

" and the final review will be posted after Diablo IV has fully launched." Music to my ears.

ValdemarJ

My biggest concern is that this experience feels like a Diablo MMO, not a Diablo ARPG (or an ARPG at all lol). That's okay, after I retooled my expectations, but most of my criticisms or concerns center around that.

The loot quality and satisfaction felt all over the place and much more like how satisfying loot is drip fed in MMOs and more prolific in ARPGs. That sentiment echoed true for most of the aspects of the game I encountered, especially character progression and power; lots of stuff feels more MMOish than ARPGish.

I'm still enthusiastically looking forward to playing. Here's hoping they don't go full stupid with the cash shop, seasons, or any of the GaaS stuff.

uriel_mafess

This is going to be a long review. Not sure how the reviewer will handle his impressions gathered up to this moment plus everything that happens from here to launch.

I think you are playing it safe and waiting for the bigger opinion makers to express their judgement and align with them.

The game we have played in the betas doesnt deserve more than an 8 by any metric.

And thats including the +x range from access media.

ValdemarJ said:

My biggest concern is that this experience feels like a Diablo MMO, not a Diablo ARPG (or an ARPG at all lol). That's okay, after I retooled my expectations, but most of my criticisms or concerns center around that.

The loot quality and satisfaction felt all over the place and much more like how satisfying loot is drip fed in MMOs and more prolific in ARPGs. That sentiment echoed true for most of the aspects of the game I encountered, especially character progression and power; lots of stuff feels more MMOish than ARPGish.

I'm still enthusiastically looking forward to playing. Here's hoping they don't go full stupid with the cash shop, seasons, or any of the GaaS stuff.

I think D4 is a mid ARPG but might be a decent MMOARPG (needs lot of work but they are hinting some interesting things about the MMO angle that are quite innovative for ARPGs).

But I can tell you right now that the Cash shop is going to be nuts. Game desing (to the core) is based on seasons (annual pass almost a must). I think they switched the DLC/Expansions Wow style (they required a lot of developers) for the battle pass. If game works well they will add some expansions/DLC (Destiny style) and if it doesnt make bank they will just keep going with low effort battle pass.

johnmichae1

don't care

emperorhades1

uriel_mafess said:

This is going to be a long review. Not sure how the reviewer will handle his impressions gathered up to this moment plus everything that happens from here to launch.



I think you are playing it safe and waiting for the bigger opinion makers to express their judgement and align with them.



The game we have played in the betas doesnt deserve more than an 8 by any metric.



And thats including the +x range from access media.

ValdemarJ said:

My biggest concern is that this experience feels like a Diablo MMO, not a Diablo ARPG (or an ARPG at all lol). That's okay, after I retooled my expectations, but most of my criticisms or concerns center around that.

The loot quality and satisfaction felt all over the place and much more like how satisfying loot is drip fed in MMOs and more prolific in ARPGs. That sentiment echoed true for most of the aspects of the game I encountered, especially character progression and power; lots of stuff feels more MMOish than ARPGish.

I'm still enthusiastically looking forward to playing. Here's hoping they don't go full stupid with the cash shop, seasons, or any of the GaaS stuff.

I think D4 is a mid ARPG but might be a decent MMOARPG (needs lot of work but they are hinting some interesting things about the MMO angle that are quite innovative for ARPGs).



But I can tell you right now that the Cash shop is going to be nuts. Game desing (to the core) is based on seasons (annual pass almost a must). I think they switched the DLC/Expansions Wow style (they required a lot of developers) for the battle pass. If game works well they will add some expansions/DLC (Destiny style) and if it doesnt make bank they will just keep going with low effort battle pass.

This game is so shallow it deserves maybe a 6. The classes are missing a shield/armor class. The merc system was left totally out. Look at the pictures above. Do you see anything that even looks like a hard to make graphic scene? In an AARPG you are chasing ?s and !s all day to play the story. Why can't you like, play the story as it happens. The story didn't altar the world in mind boggling ways. This game will open a six and the MTX and paid expansions down the road will certainly add more depth as the community demands it. But, why is it not in the game now. This game is about as shallow as fly poop on a saucer.

Markn

emperorhades1 said:

uriel_mafess said:

This is going to be a long review. Not sure how the reviewer will handle his impressions gathered up to this moment plus everything that happens from here to launch.





I think you are playing it safe and waiting for the bigger opinion makers to express their judgement and align with them.





The game we have played in the betas doesnt deserve more than an 8 by any metric.





And thats including the +x range from access media.

ValdemarJ said:

My biggest concern is that this experience feels like a Diablo MMO, not a Diablo ARPG (or an ARPG at all lol). That's okay, after I retooled my expectations, but most of my criticisms or concerns center around that.

The loot quality and satisfaction felt all over the place and much more like how satisfying loot is drip fed in MMOs and more prolific in ARPGs. That sentiment echoed true for most of the aspects of the game I encountered, especially character progression and power; lots of stuff feels more MMOish than ARPGish.

I'm still enthusiastically looking forward to playing. Here's hoping they don't go full stupid with the cash shop, seasons, or any of the GaaS stuff.

I think D4 is a mid ARPG but might be a decent MMOARPG (needs lot of work but they are hinting some interesting things about the MMO angle that are quite innovative for ARPGs).





But I can tell you right now that the Cash shop is going to be nuts. Game desing (to the core) is based on seasons (annual pass almost a must). I think they switched the DLC/Expansions Wow style (they required a lot of developers) for the battle pass. If game works well they will add some expansions/DLC (Destiny style) and if it doesnt make bank they will just keep going with low effort battle pass.

This game is so shallow it deserves maybe a 6. The classes are missing a shield/armor class. The merc system was left totally out. Look at the pictures above. Do you see anything that even looks like a hard to make graphic scene? In an AARPG you are chasing ?s and !s all day to play the story. Why can't you like, play the story as it happens. The story didn't altar the world in mind boggling ways. This game will open a six and the MTX and paid expansions down the road will certainly add more depth as the community demands it. But, why is it not in the game now. This game is about as shallow as fly poop on a saucer.

You've played to level 25 out of 100 but ok the game is shallow lol. You literally have only experienced maybe 10% of the content.

Gorwe

I'm just gonna wait for this one. Until the launch crowd dissipates and the game gets overall better. I've got enough to play and D4 can only get better. Win / win.

Arlee

Gorwe said:

I'm just gonna wait for this one. Until the launch crowd dissipates and the game gets overall better. I've got enough to play and D4 can only get better. Win / win.

That is pretty much always the right call with any game

OG_Solareus

i'll wait for that price drop.

Iselin

84 GB preloading.

ValdemarJ

Iselin said:

84 GB preloading.

Haha, I got an email from Xbox thanking me for the preorder and that I could begin downloading it now. Already had it queued for preload last night.

Gorwe said:

I'm just gonna wait for this one. Until the launch crowd dissipates and the game gets overall better. I've got enough to play and D4 can only get better. Win / win.

Most of the time I wait and then check reviews and what the most popular have to say, then I sort by most recent and see what people who've just bought it have to say.

Iselin

ValdemarJ said:

Iselin said:

84 GB preloading.

Haha, I got an email from Xbox thanking me for the preorder and that I could begin downloading it now. Already had it queued for preload last night.

Neat option to be able to queue the pre-load ahead of time.

Splattr

uriel_mafess said:

This is going to be a long review. Not sure how the reviewer will handle his impressions gathered up to this moment plus everything that happens from here to launch.



I think you are playing it safe and waiting for the bigger opinion makers to express their judgement and align with them.



The game we have played in the betas doesnt deserve more than an 8 by any metric.



And thats including the +x range from access media.

ValdemarJ said:

My biggest concern is that this experience feels like a Diablo MMO, not a Diablo ARPG (or an ARPG at all lol). That's okay, after I retooled my expectations, but most of my criticisms or concerns center around that.

The loot quality and satisfaction felt all over the place and much more like how satisfying loot is drip fed in MMOs and more prolific in ARPGs. That sentiment echoed true for most of the aspects of the game I encountered, especially character progression and power; lots of stuff feels more MMOish than ARPGish.

I'm still enthusiastically looking forward to playing. Here's hoping they don't go full stupid with the cash shop, seasons, or any of the GaaS stuff.

I think D4 is a mid ARPG but might be a decent MMOARPG (needs lot of work but they are hinting some interesting things about the MMO angle that are quite innovative for ARPGs).



But I can tell you right now that the Cash shop is going to be nuts. Game desing (to the core) is based on seasons (annual pass almost a must). I think they switched the DLC/Expansions Wow style (they required a lot of developers) for the battle pass. If game works well they will add some expansions/DLC (Destiny style) and if it doesnt make bank they will just keep going with low effort battle pass.

You question the reviewer's ability to create their own opinion, then follow that up with about as generic a prediction as possible. A mid ARPG but a decent MMOARPG? Aren't mid and decent about the same thing? And then you suggest that based off of the Beta, it doesn't deserve anything higher than an 8? As though 8 is a bad score or something?

As Scot suggested in the first comment, I think it's great that this is just a review in progress and that Robin is reserving final judgement, not until she can fall in line with the masses, but until after she has a chance to experience the game in its entirety, launch troubles and all.

Uwakionna

Same reason I haven't bothered commenting. I've already said my concerns in the past, and to repeat them every article and thread would just add to the polarized banter without changing the state of things.

Attacking other's opinions because they differ on a topic that still contains unknowns, is simply silly.

Just gotta wait for access to open and look at how the game is in full-scope at/post launch.

Asm0deus

Any of you going for the first 1000 thing to get your name on a statue in game?

Kratier

wow no mounts until act 4. people expected to get it after first act

Iselin

Kratier said:

wow no mounts until act 4. people expected to get it after first act

Still doable around level 35 or so if you rush the main quest line and go back to pick up the side quests, dungeon aspects, etc after you get the mount. This is my plan.

And you unlock riding account-wide with your first character. Any alts or seasonal characters after that can then use mounts from level 1.

Talraekk

Considering their track record in (all) their games recently I am not expecting much. But its Diablo, and at least so far, Diablo is worth playing even if it doesn't live up to its past.

Jakobmiller

Asm0deus said:

Any of you going for the first 1000 thing to get your name on a statue in game?

Nope. Life and sleep is important.

richrem1

I am hoping that D4 won't be like D3; where, max level is the start of the game. Sure, leveling normally is fine while playing the campaign; but, after that's done, you're level 20'ish, and still need to be rushed to max.

In D3 this season, I only needed to be rushed once. After I leveled my gems and unlocked everything, leveling a new toon to 70 was a breeze. I hope D4 will offer something new, instead of the same play style as D3.

I'm not dropping $70 for D4. There is hardly any games these days worth that much; not even $60. I paid $50ish for Final Fantasy 7 remake, and to me, it was worth the money.

Talraekk

I'd have to say the same AND the opposite. Over the years I've leveled multiple toons to max and beyond. My issue therein is moreso seasons/gear. I HATE being shoehorned into speccs I would've otherwisehave ignored. But, you can't progress unless you do.... Seasons, to me, were the absolute worst thing for Diablo.
There should be some gap between hard edge no lifers and casuals. Most games nowadays just push it all towards the absolute best dps wise.

Scot

johnmichae1 said:

don't care

Adbots never take the piss, so you are not an adbot:

Welcome to the forums!

Scot

Splattr said:

uriel_mafess said:

This is going to be a long review. Not sure how the reviewer will handle his impressions gathered up to this moment plus everything that happens from here to launch.

I think you are playing it safe and waiting for the bigger opinion makers to express their judgement and align with them.

The game we have played in the betas doesnt deserve more than an 8 by any metric.

And thats including the +x range from access media.

ValdemarJ said:

My biggest concern is that this experience feels like a Diablo MMO, not a Diablo ARPG (or an ARPG at all lol). That's okay, after I retooled my expectations, but most of my criticisms or concerns center around that.

The loot quality and satisfaction felt all over the place and much more like how satisfying loot is drip fed in MMOs and more prolific in ARPGs. That sentiment echoed true for most of the aspects of the game I encountered, especially character progression and power; lots of stuff feels more MMOish than ARPGish.

I'm still enthusiastically looking forward to playing. Here's hoping they don't go full stupid with the cash shop, seasons, or any of the GaaS stuff.

I think D4 is a mid ARPG but might be a decent MMOARPG (needs lot of work but they are hinting some interesting things about the MMO angle that are quite innovative for ARPGs).



But I can tell you right now that the Cash shop is going to be nuts. Game desing (to the core) is based on seasons (annual pass almost a must). I think they switched the DLC/Expansions Wow style (they required a lot of developers) for the battle pass. If game works well they will add some expansions/DLC (Destiny style) and if it doesnt make bank they will just keep going with low effort battle pass.

You question the reviewer's ability to create their own opinion, then follow that up with about as generic a prediction as possible. A mid ARPG but a decent MMOARPG? Aren't mid and decent about the same thing? And then you suggest that based off of the Beta, it doesn't deserve anything higher than an 8? As though 8 is a bad score or something?

As Scot suggested in the first comment, I think it's great that this is just a review in progress and that Robin is reserving final judgement, not until she can fall in line with the masses, but until after she has a chance to experience the game in its entirety, launch troubles and all.

There are always going to be questions about when to do a final review, that's just natural. To me, with games launching in a 'not as polished state as they used to' this gives time for a more fully rounded opinion.

It is not like you can't find reviews that are based on a beta already out there. The game has not yet launched and there are 51 critic reviews on MC. So the idea of waiting to follow other opinion makers does not hold.

What I have said goes doubly for any sort of online multiplayer game, lets have the review after the hordes stress the game to the limit.

Relampago

Blizzard pulled a fast one by not providing the cash shop to the reviewers.  Only Eurogamer MMORPG and a few other sites had the integrity not to jump on the review bandwagon and reserve true judgment for when the full game is truly available.  Blizzard should be shamed fr those shenanigans.  I say that having pre-ordered Diablo 4...

Scot

Relampago said:

Blizzard pulled a fast one by not providing the cash shop to the reviewers.  Only Eurogamer MMORPG and a few other sites had the integrity not to jump on the review bandwagon and reserve true judgment for when the full game is truly available.  Blizzard should be shamed fr those shenanigans.  I say that having pre-ordered Diablo 4...

I did not realise this, it is just another reason to do the review after launch. For any online game that has a cash shop how can you do a final review without seeing the cash shop? This is just another example of studios trying to move the goal posts on what a launch is and reviewers playing catch up with the studios shenanigans, though this is not the first time this has occurred. The problem is that studios will push for this to be the norm, so the players have even less of an idea about what they are buying.