First Impression - D3 not better than D2

[Spitfire'd]

What is this heresy I speak?

Simply put. I spent some good time with Diablo III tonight in the Open Beta. I played a Mage through the beta twice and ended her at level 12, and played a Demon Hunter up to 5. Too tired to keep going, couldn't play any earlier because of other RL commitments.

First Impressions: The graphics and sound are great. Top notch and exactly what I would expect for the next step in the series.

However, the customization has been so streamlined that it is just not the same game. You unlock things based on their cookie cutter format, not based on where you put your skill points.

Here's what I'm sleepily trying to get at: My room-mate and I both played/play Assassins in Diablo II. Right off the bat our play styles are different. I put my points into Martial Arts and he puts his points into traps. We have two vastly different Assassins even by the time we're done with the Den of Evil. Our stats are different, are battle techniques are different. Both are extremely effective.

That is simply not the case in D3. The customization is still there to an extent but it is streamlined and not the same.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is a bad game. I enjoyed the beta and I will keep my pre-order. I will enjoy the game when it comes out. I think it is fun and will be enjoyed by many a person, make no mistake of that.

I just think, when it comes down to it, that it won't top Diablo II. The depth of play and character customization, while still there, are simply too streamlined and frankly through the 1st act (that better not be the entire 1st act) the game wasn't hard at all.

Blizzard set the bar too high. That's what it comes down to. We will be treated to a great game, let me make sure I stress that enough. I just don't think it will be better all things considered.

Would love to find out I'm wrong next month. We'll see!

 

[Cerv]

I definitely agree about the lack of customization. Honestly, I was not really that impressed with the beta of Diablo 3. Sure the graphics are stunning, but I feel that there is something lacking in the multiplayer aspect of it. I was expecting something... more than just joining a game and trying to keep up with the rest of the group who were blasting through dungeons, not exploring everything, and not killing everything. Maybe it's just me though.

I will say, the thing that I -WAS- impressed with the most is the game sounds. I played a wizard to level 10 and a Monk to level 8, and the sounds were so powerful for the abilities. That alone made it enjoyable for me.

We'll see when the game is released next month. At this point however, if it doesn't change much from this beta to release, I may reconsider my excitement for Diablo 3

 

[Fullmetal]

more than just joining a game and trying to keep up with the rest of the group who were blasting through dungeons, not exploring everything, and not killing everything. Maybe it's just me though.

I saw that too. But that's to be expected with PUGs. Even in WoW it happens. People in PUGs play just to blaze through everything. I personally loved the beta. Enough to pre-order the CE. If/when I play online, I plan on doing it with friends of mine who are having fun. Looking forward to next month.

 

[Spitfire'd]

I mean to be fair there is still some customization there. The runes and the various spells you can unlock plus the passive bonuses. There is still quite a degree of customization present, but it just isn't the same. A Spear and a Bow Amazon in II are immediately different. In this game My room-mate's Demon Hunter and mine look and act the exact same at level 5.

It just feels more like this is Diablo + WoW and it turns out all I really wanted was more of Diablo II. I think that's my biggest frustration.

Give me II with III's graphics and I'll be the happiest person in the world.

 

[Fullmetal]

I mean to be fair there is still some customization there. The runes and the various spells you can unlock plus the passive bonuses. There is still quite a degree of customization present, but it just isn't the same. A Spear and a Bow Amazon in II are immediately different. In this game My room-mate's Demon Hunter and mine look and act the exact same at level 5.

It just feels more like this is Diablo + WoW and it turns out all I really wanted was more of Diablo II. I think that's my biggest frustration.

Give me II with III's graphics and I'll be the happiest person in the world.

You also need to remember that this open beta was mainly a stress test. Things will probably be different in terms of customization when the game releases. Hopefully.

 

[sil3nced]

I am hoping in a way someone figures out and manages maybe to do something like the median xl mod for d2 with d3.

 

[Cerv]

You also need to remember that this open beta was mainly a stress test. Things will probably be different in terms of customization when the game releases. Hopefully.

Dont count on it... game is scheduled for release in 3 weeks. i doubt they would make major game changes like that so close to d-day

 

[Spitfire'd]

I mean the customization is there. You still have 6 different spell slots and for each you choose one of 6 (I think) different spells. That's 36 different spells to choose from and a large number of combinations. Then of those each spell has 6 runes that spice up each spell and make them different in various ways.

Add to that 3 passive abilities from a list of like 20 and that's a LOT of combinations. Once you are all leveled up the possibilities are vast! It won't be like WoW where every end-game mage is in the same tier-whatever armor with an optimal spec build for doing whatever they do during raids.

I don't say that as a disrespect to WoW by any means. I mean the more I think about the system that appears in place for Diablo III the more I like it and the potential it has. Someone also told me that the open beta was only like a third or maybe at the most half of the 1st act so that's a relief too.

So I am excited, it's just like I said ultimately I don't think it will be better than II. Let's face it, they set the bar so high 12 years ago there was just no topping it. A near miss to that bar will still be pretty good!