Diablo 3, one of the most anticipated video game releases to date, is about to launch on May 15th, 2012. There is no better time to take a glimpse into the Diablo 3 Beta to get a quick overview of what this game is all about.
Gloomy Watercolours
The first noticeable aspect of Diablo 3 (D3) as it stands is its simplicity. Blizzard has refined many techniques from the skills system to the menus, to such an extent the fact that result is uncluttered and unadulterated fun.
The graphics won't amaze you initially, however the gloomy watercolours presented present an art design which is both dark (since the fans wanted) and cartoonish. The final product is enhanced by really impressive physics, which has a mostly destructible environment, and thoroughly entertaining ragdoll effects - the world of D3 comes alive. There isn't anything more satisfying than your final blow throwing a creature's body across the screen while wood and stone fly up around you.
The interface is neat, bold and efficient. With many RPGs these days cluttering your screen with information crammed into little boxes of text; it's refreshing to see the king of hack and slash doing exactly the exact opposite.
In Diablo 3 you will note that your inventory and character screen has become merged. Now you can equip your hero, manage your inventory and see your attributes and damage all-in-one neat location. As well as the skills tree has been done away with and has been substituted with much more of a 'perk progression' style.
The mini map and camera angle from where you play seem perfect in their design. The mini map guides the way without disturbing your precious screen space, and important info only appears once you get near it physically. Your quests have already been restructured to only show your present objective. This console-esque design actually works perfectly for a game like Diablo. After all what more would you like to know besides what you need to be doing right this moment.
The sound and music are so very critical in this version. They seamlessly aid the climate, and that's the sign of something working well. The monsters sound unique, all of the important NPCs are voiced and in some cases your character is vocal this time around. This can help to find the character classes a lot more as it's already a part of the narrative and not simply the gameplay.
Progressive Play: But how does Diablo 3 play?
Well the experience holds all the core mechanics of earlier Diablo titles. You are always clicking to kill and still using hotkeys to activate powers, but now your choices aren't penalized as heavily when levelling up. This indicates variety and adaptability is given extreme importance.
The designers have scrapped the popular skill tree system found in D2 to get a 'perk progression'. The best way to appreciate this system is to consider it like pizza. Yes pizza. The five character classes: Barbarian, Monk, Demon Hunter, Witch Doctor plus the Wizard are the pizza bases. Each character class has six active skills (and three passive), assigned to both mouse buttons and the numbers 1-4. These skills are your tomato and cheese for this Diablo pizza of death. They can be important to each character, and make them all unique.
Furthermore, you can augment each skill using Skill Runes (five per skill). These are typically your toppings. They are what provide assortment and individualisation in your characters. There are rumours that gems may even play a role inside the skill system, adding a bit of spice to this particular already delicious meal.It is important to say about the new skill system is that it encourages experimentation since you change abilities at will, and vary which active Rune you choose at any time. You are likely to alter your form of play throughout the game, or at the very least fool around with a lot of different skills and varying combinations of these skills rather than being focused on just a couple. If you order a Hawaiin, and after that desire a Regina, no one's going to stop you; just transform your toppings and off you go.
The inventory and equipment modifications ensure another element of surprise. The blacksmith is now able to trained, which unlocks more items and upgrades available for you. He can 'Craft' too, and that is basically extracting magical and rare items into their raw essences. These essences enable you to build unique items. Once gems come into play it's almost a sure thing this new gameplay mechanic will shine.
About the Lore:
The story isn't revealed that much while in the beta. However the way the story is presented is interesting. There is a lot less text at this point; the designers are making utilization of audio clips by means of lore that explain enemies and also the history of the entire world to you. Which means you can listen whilst you play, discovering the world while you happily slash away.
This keeps up the trademark Diablo pacing without having to sacrifice an engaging storyline. Additionally, there are in-game cutscenes which, as a result of new technology, still look really good but retain the pacing. However everyone knows how amazingly Blizzard do full motion videos, so here's hoping they haven't dropped them completely.
Battling the online world:
Finally a mention needs to be made regarding the Battle.net experience. Using an auction house (similar to Wow) included in the game and a frontend experience very similar to Starcraft 2, it ought to be a pleasure playing this game. The auction house will spot items bought and sold for in-game gold along with actual money.
The online-only means that you need to be online to get started on up D3, no two ways about it. This will make plenty of sense for Blizzard as it can certainly combat piracy; patch versions easily, run the auction house and obviously supply the servers for online gaming. From a gamer's perspective: as long as it provide a good service, meaning you'll be able to invite friends and constantly find servers to experience on there shouldn't be a big uproar. It is 2012 after all, and games are heading in this particular direction whether you want it or not.
Still Diablo:
And so that's the D3 beta in a nutshell. Together with the final game being released in less than six weeks, it's safe to say that this version should be quite like the final product. Although with 70% more objects coming, along with the entire storyline, and the fact that your characters can go above level 13 there is a lot left to remain thinking about.
Blizzard has added enough that is certainly new, it's refined the golden oldies and left the rubbish behind. From the dark atmosphere to its deceptively engaging new skill system, from saving Deckhard Cain to click click clicking away, this is a Diablo game through and thru. So do not worry purists, Terror is coming.
Gloomy Watercolours
The first noticeable aspect of Diablo 3 (D3) as it stands is its simplicity. Blizzard has refined many techniques from the skills system to the menus, to such an extent the fact that result is uncluttered and unadulterated fun.
The graphics won't amaze you initially, however the gloomy watercolours presented present an art design which is both dark (since the fans wanted) and cartoonish. The final product is enhanced by really impressive physics, which has a mostly destructible environment, and thoroughly entertaining ragdoll effects - the world of D3 comes alive. There isn't anything more satisfying than your final blow throwing a creature's body across the screen while wood and stone fly up around you.
The interface is neat, bold and efficient. With many RPGs these days cluttering your screen with information crammed into little boxes of text; it's refreshing to see the king of hack and slash doing exactly the exact opposite.
In Diablo 3 you will note that your inventory and character screen has become merged. Now you can equip your hero, manage your inventory and see your attributes and damage all-in-one neat location. As well as the skills tree has been done away with and has been substituted with much more of a 'perk progression' style.
The mini map and camera angle from where you play seem perfect in their design. The mini map guides the way without disturbing your precious screen space, and important info only appears once you get near it physically. Your quests have already been restructured to only show your present objective. This console-esque design actually works perfectly for a game like Diablo. After all what more would you like to know besides what you need to be doing right this moment.
The sound and music are so very critical in this version. They seamlessly aid the climate, and that's the sign of something working well. The monsters sound unique, all of the important NPCs are voiced and in some cases your character is vocal this time around. This can help to find the character classes a lot more as it's already a part of the narrative and not simply the gameplay.
Progressive Play: But how does Diablo 3 play?
Well the experience holds all the core mechanics of earlier Diablo titles. You are always clicking to kill and still using hotkeys to activate powers, but now your choices aren't penalized as heavily when levelling up. This indicates variety and adaptability is given extreme importance.
The designers have scrapped the popular skill tree system found in D2 to get a 'perk progression'. The best way to appreciate this system is to consider it like pizza. Yes pizza. The five character classes: Barbarian, Monk, Demon Hunter, Witch Doctor plus the Wizard are the pizza bases. Each character class has six active skills (and three passive), assigned to both mouse buttons and the numbers 1-4. These skills are your tomato and cheese for this Diablo pizza of death. They can be important to each character, and make them all unique.
Furthermore, you can augment each skill using Skill Runes (five per skill). These are typically your toppings. They are what provide assortment and individualisation in your characters. There are rumours that gems may even play a role inside the skill system, adding a bit of spice to this particular already delicious meal.It is important to say about the new skill system is that it encourages experimentation since you change abilities at will, and vary which active Rune you choose at any time. You are likely to alter your form of play throughout the game, or at the very least fool around with a lot of different skills and varying combinations of these skills rather than being focused on just a couple. If you order a Hawaiin, and after that desire a Regina, no one's going to stop you; just transform your toppings and off you go.
The inventory and equipment modifications ensure another element of surprise. The blacksmith is now able to trained, which unlocks more items and upgrades available for you. He can 'Craft' too, and that is basically extracting magical and rare items into their raw essences. These essences enable you to build unique items. Once gems come into play it's almost a sure thing this new gameplay mechanic will shine.
About the Lore:
The story isn't revealed that much while in the beta. However the way the story is presented is interesting. There is a lot less text at this point; the designers are making utilization of audio clips by means of lore that explain enemies and also the history of the entire world to you. Which means you can listen whilst you play, discovering the world while you happily slash away.
This keeps up the trademark Diablo pacing without having to sacrifice an engaging storyline. Additionally, there are in-game cutscenes which, as a result of new technology, still look really good but retain the pacing. However everyone knows how amazingly Blizzard do full motion videos, so here's hoping they haven't dropped them completely.
Battling the online world:
Finally a mention needs to be made regarding the Battle.net experience. Using an auction house (similar to Wow) included in the game and a frontend experience very similar to Starcraft 2, it ought to be a pleasure playing this game. The auction house will spot items bought and sold for in-game gold along with actual money.
The online-only means that you need to be online to get started on up D3, no two ways about it. This will make plenty of sense for Blizzard as it can certainly combat piracy; patch versions easily, run the auction house and obviously supply the servers for online gaming. From a gamer's perspective: as long as it provide a good service, meaning you'll be able to invite friends and constantly find servers to experience on there shouldn't be a big uproar. It is 2012 after all, and games are heading in this particular direction whether you want it or not.
Still Diablo:
And so that's the D3 beta in a nutshell. Together with the final game being released in less than six weeks, it's safe to say that this version should be quite like the final product. Although with 70% more objects coming, along with the entire storyline, and the fact that your characters can go above level 13 there is a lot left to remain thinking about.
Blizzard has added enough that is certainly new, it's refined the golden oldies and left the rubbish behind. From the dark atmosphere to its deceptively engaging new skill system, from saving Deckhard Cain to click click clicking away, this is a Diablo game through and thru. So do not worry purists, Terror is coming.
About the Author:
Diablo 3 will be an amazing addition to the online gaming world and there is an insane amount of information to be obtained to achieve success in the Diablo 3 world. Luckily there are quite a few Diablo 3 Guides to assist you in your journey for domination. Thank You for reading and Happy Hunting!
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