So Diablo 3 comes out on PS3 in two weeks.

[Atmos Duality]

Even without the DRM and RMAH its only just above mediocre. Diablo 2, Torchlight 2, Titan Quest, etc, they're all as good as if not better than Diablo 3.

Very true.
But the sickest part is that even that grade of mediocre is still lightyears closer to the real Diablo than that colossal middle finger Blizzard threw at PC gamers.

 

[Zenn3k]

*peers in nervously before darting up to the microphone*

So...is anyone excited?

I know I'm just asking for a wave of the usual jaded, cynical folk to cover every inch of this post in mud, but I'm actually looking forward to this a good deal.

The changes they've made seemed to have alleviated everything I disliked about the PC version (never played, just read/saw/heard a lot about), like the removal of the online requirement and the real money auction house. These are real genuine improvements and I both praise Blizzard (or whoever made the decision), and sympathize with PC players, as they should have had this as well.

These games can work tremendously well in a console setting. I've played the original Diablo, Both Champions of Norrath games, and both Dark Alliance games and they've all been an absolute blast. I'll be the first to concede that for some types of games, namely shooters, a mouse is going to be far superior. More speed and more accuracy. S'just how things be.
However I've always personally enjoyed 'dungeon crawlers' or ARPG's the most on consoles.
Saying this as someone who has far too many fucking characters on Torchlight 2 with over 200 hours racked, having beaten Titan Quest on normal with one character(working on the rest!), and chronically plays Path of Exile. M&KB in these games are fun, and have their own proficiencies and drawbacks.

I can't quite describe it, as I'm sure fellow seasoned PC ARPG'ers will say the same for their experience, but when I'm actually in control of my character in these games, it gives everything a much more impactful feel. It's weightier, and feels more purposeful, and I find it in general to be much more involving as a whole.

I'm looking forward to getting back to this in D3. I do know the game has been streamlined from D2, and I have my reasons why I'm mostly okay with it, but they aren't important and I shan't bring them up here.

Anywho, here's some info about some of the things they changed.
http://www.gamesradar.com/diablo-3-ps3-news-release-date/

And some game play footage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9MLNLN8s4o
(Yes, that announcer is absolutely AWFUL but just try to ignore him if you can.)

I can honestly say I would have minded keeping the old inventory system with a moveable highlight box, as it worked fine in Diablo 1 and ever other console ARPG Ive played, but it makes for fast and easy selection and I can take the loss of an inventory screen because I GET MY PAPERDOLL BACK. : D
Seriously, that made my heart jump. Visual manifestations of progression are important in any type of RPG, but I've always felt it was never more so in these types of games. Aside from the obvious armor upgrade and maybe some stat bonuses, what's the point of making really great looking equipment if I can't see it up close and in wonderful detail?

They also added potions back. I could take this or leave it. I liked the idea of the orbs in the PC version since it eliminated the busy work of loading up half your inventory with potions near the end of the game. I remember literally filling up my inventory in Diablo 1 just to survive a wave of Snow Witches or Blood Knights. 30 + potions used up in 15 - 20 seconds. Haha.
But regardless I'm not slanted any particular way about the reintroduction of the potions. They both have their ups and downs.

Being able to equip things on the fly is fun, and I probably wouldn't use it if not for the lack of a more tangible inventory screen.

And of course, couch co-op inclusion is just awesome. I love that a few more games today are deciding it's worth the time and effort.

So there it is then I suppose. I'm fairly happy about this coming to consoles.
Are you?
Why so or why not?
Do you like/dislike the console changes & additions?
Do you feel these games can work on a controller setup, or not?
General Diablo discussion?
: D

Its an "improved" version for sure.

However, the itemization is still downright terrible. Grinding for hours at "end-game" for +10 DEX is boring and will always BE boring.

Go play Path of Exile for free on your PC. It actually has items that are...*gasp*...fun!

 

[piinyouri]

snip

Its an "improved" version for sure.

However, the itemization is still downright terrible. Grinding for hours at "end-game" for +10 DEX is boring and will always BE boring.

Go play Path of Exile for free on your PC. It actually has items that are...*gasp*...fun!

No one knows how it will manifest yet, but they said they changed the drop rates for items specifically so you wouldn't have to do that.

 

[Zenn3k]

snip

Its an "improved" version for sure.

However, the itemization is still downright terrible. Grinding for hours at "end-game" for +10 DEX is boring and will always BE boring.

Go play Path of Exile for free on your PC. It actually has items that are...*gasp*...fun!

No one knows how it will manifest yet, but they said they changed the drop rates for items specifically so you wouldn't have to do that.

Drop rates have nothing to do with the games generally terrible items.

Everything chases the same couple stats. Usually, VIT, Resists All, Crit % and +Crit Damage, and Primary Stat (DEX, STR, INT).

The game could drop nothing but the best items 100% of the time, the items are still boring as hell.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

After the amount of time I have spent on my characters on PC I dont want to switch to PS3, if I could use the same characters then maybe

I'm the complete opposite; the "clean slate" of the console version is one of its most appealing features. The way I see it, my PC characters (whom I haven't played in months) are more or less "complete". They've got great gear. They've beaten the game umpteen times. There's nothing left for them to do. The console version will offer me a fresh start with a new feel and a completely revamped loot system that will allow me to progress without farming the AH (like every single person who played D3 on PC was eventually forced to do).

Were you going for level 100 on each of them though?

No, I don't hate myself enough for that.

I kid, I kid! For me, it's all about the actual play experience versus the "goals". Nothing wrong with that approach either, and I can see why you wouldn't be interested in the clean slate if you were pushing for max level all around. That'd be quite an impressive amount of D3.

 

[mysecondlife]

I am going to hold out until expansion/goty comes out. I do remember I was pretty stoked when D3 was announced about 6 or 7 years ago. But too much wait and bad reputation has dampened my enthusiasm quite a bit. I do think it'll be a great couch co op with my buddy. So I'll wait and see how much the expansion can improve things.

But I'm certainly not here to dampen your enthusiasm on it. I hope the game is to your liking.

 

[Anthony Corrigan]

After the amount of time I have spent on my characters on PC I dont want to switch to PS3, if I could use the same characters then maybe

I'm the complete opposite; the "clean slate" of the console version is one of its most appealing features. The way I see it, my PC characters (whom I haven't played in months) are more or less "complete". They've got great gear. They've beaten the game umpteen times. There's nothing left for them to do. The console version will offer me a fresh start with a new feel and a completely revamped loot system that will allow me to progress without farming the AH (like every single person who played D3 on PC was eventually forced to do).

Were you going for level 100 on each of them though?

No, I don't hate myself enough for that.

I kid, I kid! For me, it's all about the actual play experience versus the "goals". Nothing wrong with that approach either, and I can see why you wouldn't be interested in the clean slate if you were pushing for max level all around. That'd be quite an impressive amount of D3.

you don't have to humour me on that, I have a life too

Nah I have one character at paragon level 24, 1 more right on normal 60 and 2 others getting close to the 60 but with the changes coming in with the expansion pack there is no point pushing anyone by my one wizard up the paragon levels because those will be across account.

My father in law on the other hand has one at level 73, I only play with him but he is addicted. I prefer other games which I have if I am playing by myself

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

My father in law on the other hand has one at level 73, I only play with him but he is addicted. I prefer other games which I have if I am playing by myself

Not sure why, but I have zero interest in repeat playthroughs for these or most any games. Once I've consumed the content once, there's just nothing for it. I'm also the opposite of a "collector" or a completionist, never caring about getting all the stars or uncovering all the secrets. You'd never catch me trying to "platinum" anything.

I don't begrudge people their fun, but the idea of "farming" anything just hurts my head.

 

[piinyouri]

My father in law on the other hand has one at level 73, I only play with him but he is addicted. I prefer other games which I have if I am playing by myself

Not sure why, but I have zero interest in repeat playthroughs for these or most any games. Once I've consumed the content once, there's just nothing for it. I'm also the opposite of a "collector" or a completionist, never caring about getting all the stars or uncovering all the secrets. You'd never catch me trying to "platinum" anything.

I don't begrudge people their fun, but the idea of "farming" anything just hurts my head.

Same for me nowadays. I used to really enjoy farming in games, for various reasons.

Sticking around the first screen where you can encounter enemies in Final Fantasy 7 until I was level 20.

Running the same area in Legend of Mana over and over trying to get gold medals from the spirits.

These days though with the exception of a few situations, I just can't do it.
Only thing I farmed for in Borderlands 2 was 1 Bee shield.
Didn't farm anything in Torchlight 2.
Hell I never even farmed in the original Diablo. (Not sure if it was even necessary)

Along with just generally being boring, it can also throw the games balance WAY out of wack. If I sit there grinding for a special item, and finally get it after 50 kills, chances are I've leveled to the point that the next 2-3 sections of the game are going to be the boring kind of easy.

Farming and grinding is fine for those that enjoy it. I'm not saying they shouldn't, but I certainly do not think any game should require it.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

Along with just generally being boring, it can also throw the games balance WAY out of wack. If I sit there grinding for a special item, and finally get it after 50 kills, chances are I've leveled to the point that the next 2-3 sections of the game are going to be the boring kind of easy.

Oh yeah, didn't even think about that. Especially since I tend to dislike games that scale everything to your level, but I also can't enjoy games that allow you to easily outpace the content. Hard to stay in that sweet spot where I'm still advancing my character in some meaningful way without trivializing the encounters (or forcing the dev to scale them all). Farming gear/levels is the fastest way to tip it all over, for sure.

Farming and grinding is fine for those that enjoy it. I'm not saying they shouldn't, but I certainly do not think any game should require it.

I think it's also something you tend to grow out of, and I don't mean that in any kind of elitist or superior way. It's got nothing to do with age or maturity but rather how much time you've actually spent grinding/farming in your gaming career. If you've gamed for 10-15 years, chances are good you recognize "the pattern" and won't derive as much enjoyment. On the other hand, if you haven't necessarily exhausted yourself on the concept, it might be great fun. Plus some people have greater tolerance for the concept in general; some can do it forever, and others tire of it after 15 minutes.

 

[Kyber]

What? A decent top down hack and slash game? And it's not on the PS2? Count me in! I've been waiting for a game like this to play with my brother since Champions of Norrath!

 

[Richard Dubbeld]

The Local Co-op is the thing that sold it for me.

Wish there were more local co-op games for consoles these days, especially since, as a 360 owner, I have to bloody pay to play online.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

I have been chomping at the bit for this game since it was first even hinted that it would be coming to consoles. I bought the PC version and could not, for the life of me, figure out how to install it. I love the Diablo franchise, and will be picking this up the day it comes out.

Now, if Blizzard will only confirm that Reaper of Souls or whatever it's called is also going to be released for the PS3 version, I will be a very happy person.