Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than meets the eye, May 31, 2004
It's simply amazing how character development can go in so many directions with this game. Seven character classes are now offered, and focusing on certain options within any of the 3 different "skill trees" of each class can itself forever change the way in which you relate to the game. Characters can become so specialized that names have been attributed to them (lexicons can be found on the Net); for example, if you choose to play a character from the new Druid class, he can be differentiated into a Shifter, Summoner, Elementist, Botanist, Windbreaker, Bowling Druid, etc. [lingo used by D2:LoD addicts, these aren't terms that the game itself uses]. It could be said that choosing from these different paths renews the playability of the game, as you are forced to figure out new strategies to survive, especially in the Nightmare and Hell difficulty settings.
I've been playing this expansion since its release, and can hardly believe how much I yet have to learn. The Druid class is a clever addition to original 5, and quite different from the others; the new Assassin class I cannot in good faith critique, as I have only developed one character from that class. Act 5 has a much different flavor, and disposing of Baal can be a highly frustrating task, if you don't have a plan [Hint: get his back against the wall on the runway, slow him down, and hit him without a pause]. The addition of charms and class-specific items vastly improves your chances for survival, and the new set items are geared towards the more advanced players. However, other improvements put forth in the expansion balance it out in favor of the enemy (e.g., you can no longer dominate simply by having a Level 25 Fire Wall).
Lately I've discovered several websites devoted to the game, and features of the game that previously made little sense now are revealed as worthwhile to me. If you are getting the impression that this game can create a black hole in your weekly schedule, then I think I have gotten my point across. For example, tonite I am supposed to be reading an article titled "Parenteral Nutrition in Pregnancy," but instead I am researching new strategies to keep my Necromancer alive (can you blame me?)
Finally, there is the adrenaline rush motive. When trying to stay alive during some of the more challenging moments, your heart will be racing and you might even break into a sweat. Warnings written in the other reviews (about how addiction to this game can trash your GPA and cause your girlfriend to seek out someone who has never heard of Diablo or its sequels) should be taken very seriously. As a graduate student I came close to smashing the disc on several occasions with the thought of freeing myself...that would doubtless have been a waste of money, as I would have promptly jogged down to the store to pick up another copy.
|
|
|
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A completely addictive experience for obsessive RPG Gamers, July 16, 2003
This is a truly addictive game, folks. I'm talking heroin for the mind here.
I actually avoided Diablo I altogether and put off playing Diablo II as long as possible. I knew that all my friends and many family members were playing it constantly, but I had better things to do. I have played Role Playing games for decades (in fact, I have one of the original Greyhawk/Blackpool sets somewhere in my attic from my D&D days), so it was not any personal distaste for the genre. I just knew there was some reason I had to avoid it. I played dozens of other Computer RPGs and RTS games in the meantime and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Finally, when the Lord of Destruction Expansion patch came out, I could avoid it no further. All the reviews insisted that it was the most wonderful thing ever, and I decided to give it a shot (literally, as I prefer archer characters that can stand away from the big ugly monsters and not get immediately smashed to the ground). Needless to say, I soon realized why I had been avoiding it. I was completely addicted. So much so, that I am STILL playing it to the exclusion of Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, Heroes of Might and Magic, Wizardry IX etc. I should note that I actually own and hugely enjoy each of those titles- they just can't compete right now.It's not that the game itself is all that complicated. It's more the wide variety of ways characters can be developed. The huge assortment of set items, unique weapons and apparel is amazing (and frustratingly difficult to collect). I have a personal goal of collecting every item possible- legitimately, not through some script hack as many other players seem to do- before actually stopping. Now that the latest patch is nearly complete, I now have even more things to collect. Somehow, Blizzard struck a near-perfect balance with a simple game that can be rendered as complex as your personality requires.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another 3-AM nighter from Blizzard!, September 18, 2005
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
What can I say that hasn't been said? Great add-on to one of the best games ever... be prepared to neglect spouse, kids, pets, work, etc... ;)
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
International Shipping: This title can be shipped to
select countries outside the U.S.
Explore the Software Available for International Shipping Store for a complete selection of software and games as well as shipping details.
![Diablo Battlechest [new version]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51M42W2Nd4L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
![Diablo Battle Chest [old version]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51I8mAukFDL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Diablo Battlechest [new version]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51M42W2Nd4L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
