Poll: Diablo wants to try Diablo 3

[Tuesday Night Fever]

DoPo is correct in that a lot of the people voting "no" will have been opponents of the game from launch, either due to the always online/Error 32 disaster and problems during launch week, or those who simply opposed it based on principle. Very few will have played it post expansion. It's a well made game. Wrist crippler, but a good game.

I played for a few months at launch and found the game to be pretty disappointing, not even factoring in the online-only/RMAH/Error32 stuff. I stopped playing for a pretty long time, and just recently started again a few weeks ago with the expansion (it was on sale for $10, so the price was right). Tried my best to go into it with an open mind, too. Started from scratch in the seasonal league (still haven't even logged into my old characters), and decided to go into it like it's a brand new experience. Got together a couple friends who also hadn't played since a few months after launch, and we played all the way through the story campaign (started out with no cash or gear playing at Torment I, ended up at Torment V by the time we finished it), did a ton of bounties, did a bunch of rifts, got far enough into the season to get my pet and portrait frame, and yeah...

/shrug. Still disappointing.

The game is visually pretty and has nice animations, sure, but its gameplay and mechanics are pretty shallow and it still feels like an incredibly unbalanced mess. I think it'd be a great game to play as someone's entry into the genre, particularly because it doesn't penalize you for poor build planning and has virtually no penalty for drowning a tough enemy in your own corpses... but for someone that's used to the genre, that enjoys planning builds and watching them mature, the game is seriously lacking in substance. Style is about all it really has over the competition.

I don't think I can agree with you that it's a good or well-made game. I don't think it's a bad game either, though. To me it's just... cripplingly mediocre. It doesn't really do anything well enough for me to consider it in any way special, but it doesn't do anything poorly enough to make me hate it. I don't see myself playing D3, even with the expansion, for much longer. I'm glad I did play it though, given the number of times I've seen people insist that the expansion makes it sooo much better, and it was a nice little distraction until Fallout 4.

So... yeah. Option 3, I guess.

 

[Vigormortis]

You may also want to check out Torchlight 2! It's a great game in the same genre

One might even argue that it's a better game.

<.<

In all honesty, I own both Diablo 3 and Torchlight 2. I've had hours of fun in both but I've logged far more time in Torchlight 2, all the while having paid less money in the process. The Workshop and mod integration has only added to its replay value to me.

So, OP, my suggestion is this:
Download the Starter Edition for Diablo 3 and then head over here [http://www.torchlight2game.com/download] to try out the official Torchlight 2 demo. If they prove to be fun then it's up to you to decide which one you'd prefer to play.

A few points to bare in mind.
- Diablo 3 requires a constant internet connection to play. Torchlight 2 can be played online or offline, as well as over LAN.

- Diablo 3 is still receiving occasional expansions while Torchlight 2 is not. Torchlight 2 is more reliant on the Steam Workshop for user-created mods and content. (the dev is currently working on their new game called Hob)

- Torchlight 2 is moddable while Diablo 3 is not.

- Both have decent matchmaking systems and online features.

- Both have a wide range of items to find, though I feel Torchlights are more varied and numerous.

- Diablo 3 is a more serious dark-fantasy tale while Torchlight is a lighter fantasy-steampunk tale with a dose of comedy.

- Diablo 3 has a more technically advanced engine.

- Diablo 3's skill and stat progression are more linear while Torchlight 2's are built around player choice.

- Both games are currently $20, though Torchlight 2 tends to show up in Steam sales quite often. Bare in mind you'll have to purchase the Diablo 3 expansions.

- Both are more fun with friends.

Hope this helps. Both games can yield hours of fun, so long as you don't mind the inherent repetitiveness of the genre.

 

[sky pies]

Look it's a streamlined cakewalk of a game but it has a big slice of content, is pretty cheap and will entertain while it lasts. I also assume the MP is good but i wouldn't really know.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

I'd honestly say don't get it. A lot of people seem to believe that ARPGs are all about loot; I've always maintained that it's really all about character builds, and Diablo 3 absolutely sucks at that aspect.

They basically took out most of the character customization options. You no longer allocate stat or skill points, you just select 4 skills to have at once that you can change at any time. In other words, with the exception of equipment, your level 30 Monk is exactly the same as my level 30 Monk which is exactly the same as Joe Schmo's level 30 Monk. I think Diablo 2 remains the superior game, and that damn thing came out 15 years ago.

As previously mentioned, I think Torchlight 2 is better in just about every way, though the cartoony atmosphere may be off-putting to some. On the plus side, there are tons of mods for the game, including brand new character classes.

If you want grim and dark, try Path of Exile (as someone mentioned, it's free!) or Grim Dawn (though Grim Dawn is still in early access). Grim Dawn differs heavily from most other ARPGs in that there are no character classes: you pick a "Mastery" at level 2, and then another one at level 10 (if you wish). So want an Assasin/Warlock? Pick Nightblade and Occult. A tank/mage? Pick Soldier and Arcanist.

 

[suitepee7]

Vanilla Diablo 3, I would have voted no. However the expansions, patch 2.3 updates, season modes, and upcoming 2.4 patch all make it soooo much better. I have a blast with it for a month or two, then take a break for a bit, then when I fancy going back it is usually updated with a bit of new content. Really great time sink if you enjoy the gameplay.

Side note - one of the reasons I enjoy D3 so much is the skill system, it is so easy to completely switch playstyles on the same character, there are no skill points to be reallocated (although once you start getting gear sets, you will have to change them too) and you cannot make 'bad'choices or mistakes when leveling up, so you can focus on playing the game rather than making sure you build you character perfectly.

 

[Scow2]

I'd honestly say don't get it. A lot of people seem to believe that ARPGs are all about loot; I've always maintained that it's really all about character builds, and Diablo 3 absolutely sucks at that aspect.

Diablo III isn't about loot or builds - it's about kicking ass and taking names. The gameplay's in the game world, not on the character sheet and paper doll.

 

[klaynexas3]

Get Diablo 3 for a console. It has offline play, local play, and it plays basically the same as it does on PC.

 

[Zeraki]

Diablo III in its current form is a much better game than it was at launch, I've been enjoying it quite a lot since I got back into it last month. The only downside is that it still has the always online requirement(for PC at least).

 

[Nailzzz]

Diablo 2 was the game that made me buy my first computer. Diablo 3, like everything else blizzard has done in the last 10 years, is a colossal letdown. I would recommend pretty much any other ARPG.

Specifically Path of Exile(free to play online). It is a game that gives you incredible freedom to make whatever character you want using a combination of Final Fantasy's material skill system and a passive skill forest that is incredibly expansive and meaningful. Also has a dark atmosphere similar to a graphically updated Diablo 2.

Also Grim Dawn. A fantastic game made by a veteran team of developers who worked on Titan Quest(which I also recommend) that has a great dual class skill system which gives great diversification in build options, but not as overwhelming as Path of Exile. Also has great itemization options(including a pair of pants that you can throw feces from out of the back of that travel very short range but does good toxic damage aoe's). Also has a nice dark atmosphere.

Since I mentioned it already, Titan Quest. Its a bit of an older game now, but not painfully bad graphics. It's an ARPG featuring ancient mythology and world traveling. It also has lots of great mods available with a great mod community. Also features dual classing.

I am currently enjoying the recently released The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut. It was previously 3 separate games, but the new version combines them all into one long continuous game. It has a pretty extensive skill forest based on 6 different classes. It is probably the most story driven ARPG I have seen yet. It has an old school goth noir/steampunk atmosphere but its cleverly tongue in cheek without being too cheesy. Enjoying it a lot.

Also if your a fan of Marvel, there is also Marvel Heroes Online. Its not bad for a free to play game, especially if you like marvel. You get to choose from playing various marvel characters and you will be able to continue to fill up your roster so you can switch characters as you like. They have a pretty basic 3 skill tree set up for builds. And while it does offer a lot in the Cash Shop, a lot of what it offers can be attained by simply playing the game.

Also in the future I would keep an eye out for a game called Umbra. It is still in early development but it looks very promising. The graphics are very impressive(cryengine) and the environmental effects of abilities are well done.

 

[CannibalCorpses]

I've played all 3 and they have steadily got easier and easier to play. 3 has some good things and can be quite engrossing for a while but then you hit the brick wall where only grinding will help you (or some extremely good luck). About the only mistake you can make is scrapping the wrong item and there will always be better or the same items cropping up as you climb up the difficulties.

2 is the last one where you make any choices about your character where you actually have to stick to them.

1 is still my favourite...harsh, unforgiving, challenging...everything i want from my games

All that said i still play Diablo 3 on xbox with my friend and we still have fun with it...