Now you see the year 2000, now you don’t see
There is a part of my head, a reptilian section of my brain, that just likes to watch the numbers grow. He finds joy in methodically methodifying and defeating enemies, clearing the prey area and moving on to the next; as an agricultural simulator for looting and looting.
Because of this, Diablo it should be right on my alley. And, although I enjoyed a fairly short time with the third part of the series, I have only the weakest memories. Diablo II and its expansion, Lord of Destruction. Diablo II: Risen It seemed like the right opportunity to revisit those distant spots of memory and to better understand the veneration that fans have for this dungeon-crawler.
At first, I found it quite nice. All around it were all the old attractions and sounds, a campfire and an adventure ring. I could only choose from three specific characters: The Barbarian, the Amazon or the Witch. Obviously, I chose the one who throws fireballs from her hands and I started.
It didn’t take long to start using those fireballs, though Diablo II it really gets you in the thick of things. After a few short paragraphs of expository text, you are given free rein to wander from the makeshift camp that has been set up and to start killing the monsters. It may seem rare by modern standards, but there is a degree of reverence for it. Diablo II he knows what you came here to do and you won’t need more tutorial missions and guided segments to get you there.
As I wandered through the plains outside the camp, throwing down fallen monsters and angry undead, everything was definitely enjoyable. Most of my points were meant to improve my Fire Bolt, but it was okay; there is a lot of pleasure in the simplicity of the early game Diablo II, while simply flying around enemies, dancing around attacks and throwing potions back.
It is easy to notice the absence Diablo IIIadditions, such as the Dodge roller coaster. Other parts may feel a little arcane, such as the inventory game Tetris, but they fit – being forced to manage all the equipment I picked up and deciding between a club I could sell for gold or a charm that gives me bonuses when it’s in my package is a fun little decision to make. taken at the time. The inventory space made me realize how easy I had it with the console version of Diablo III, and now the oldest Diablo it gives me a new appreciation for a well-managed backpack.
Indeed, the magic of this remaster is at the touch of a button. For 30 solid minutes, I was happy Diablo II: Risen as presented. But by pressing the G key, I could change the game to its original look and feel. Until then, I thought Diablo II: Risen looks like Diablo II, and then the G key reminded me of what Diablo II really looked like in 2000.
Good God. It’s a magic trick and a good one. Other games, such as excellent Order and Conquer remastering and Halo: Master Chief Collection, have offered options that allow you to switch between new and original graphics and it’s just as striking, if not even more so, here.
Work done by Blizzard and Vicarious Visions – which developed last year Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater restorations – it’s incredible. It may sound like cheese, but Diablo II: Risen You really seem to remember Diablo looking. The difference is easy enough to show in side-by-side comparisons, but seeing it in action is really great.
As I blew through several searches in Act 1, I found myself hitting the G key all the time to see the differences. The areas changed, the enemies changed, but they all remained structurally similar. It’s the same geography, the same experience, but it looks completely different thanks to this aesthetic review. I almost died a few times just because I saw an enemy named running towards me and I immediately started changing graphics instead of running.
Also death! It happens much more often in Diablo II. Aside from not having a dodge role, Diablo II: Risen it feels all the more challenging in a good way. The early fights saw me throwing magic preparations just to keep my Fire Bolt spam, as I ran circles around a horde that would hit me if I stopped for more than a second. It never felt too much, and once I got used to how I should allocate my stats, the fights kept a steady, but fair, balance.
Really, Diablo II: Risen it feels like a good example of what needs to be changed and kept the same about an old game when you remaster it. The game that made it Diablo II such a remarkable one remains first and foremost and is as compelling as it was two decades ago. Meanwhile, the updated graphics can make it feel completely new, and offering the ability to travel back in time to the original look and back adds a little extra fun, either for curious newcomers or nostalgic veterans.
Diablo II: Risen it was already on my radar as a way to fill a newly formed hole in my gaming memory. Now, after spending a few hours with the opening areas and experiencing the joy of throwing fire bolts at modern resolutions, I am even more intrigued. As a historical record, it is a mark of how different the games of 2000 are and what Diablo IV it might look like in the future. But for the game, it’s proof that Diablo II still withstands the test of time.
