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Graphics: * * *
Character and creature representations are the worst offenders
of all, as their coarse, jagged edges are the first things that
will leap out at you upon beginning the game. So jarring is the
effect that you'll initially wonder if there's something wrong with
your computer. Since some folk will rally to the graphics' defense
and point out that I ran the game on the non-standard Direct3D mode
rather than the suggested 3dfx, I feel compelled to mention that
I asked around and requested screenshots from people with differing
systems and video cards. The result was the same in each case: jarring,
omnipresent pixilation. This affects any number of factors, from
the incredibly poor quality of monsters -- skeletons, for instance,
resemble colored sticks with weapons -- to the subsequent battles,
which occasionally resemble nothing more than a violent, colored
mishmash. This issue is so overwhelming that you'll likely spend
a good amount of time simply trying to get used to the archaic,
640x480 graphics before actually being able to enjoy the game. Naturally,
you can double that adjustment period for 21" monitors. Attempting
to solve the problem with a higher-end graphical card such as the
GeForce 2 isn't necessarily a good idea, either: not only will the
pixels remain, but Diablo II simply won't work a quarter of the
time. Blizzard has admitted that next-generation video cards are
problematic, and that they're working on it, but for now a large
percentage of cutting-edge card owners are left scratching their
heads and cursing at their screens.
Interface: * * * *
Much like the essence of the game itself, Diablo's layout was both
simplistic and intuitive, a characteristic which carries over to
its sequel. Examining your inventory, character stats, and skill
tree are all as comprehensive as one could ask for, each taking
up a mere half of your screen, thereby allowing you to keep a watchful
eye out for enemies as you manage your persona. You're even able
to access your inventory and statistics screen simultaneously, which
in turn lets you observe the tangible effects that a given item
might have when equipped. Other elements have also been carried
over from the original, such as the name of an item or foe appearing
onscreen as you drag your cursor over it. The problem that once
existed with this particular system is that, after having destroyed
a roomful of enemies, it became rather difficult to sort through
the piles of bodies in hopes of finding dropped items or piles of
gold. This has been wonderfully rectified in Diablo II, as a press
of a button is all that's required to display the names and locations
of all the items that you're able to collect.
Gameplay: * * * * *
If there's one thing that Diablo taught the gaming public, it's
that a simplistic, straightforward pattern of clicking, clicking
and more clicking could actually translate to a really good time
if surrounded with the proper elements. Since it was a brand-new
phenomenon, fans accepted Diablo's basic gameplay, as it also carried
three character classes, hard-to-find items and free online multiplayer,
thereby extending its shelf life exponentially. As Diablo II emerges
onto the market, however, players must analyze whether hours and
hours of repetitious clicking is still an amusing prospect after
all these years. The path to the true answer then lies within the
requisite bells and whistles that must accompany this blockbuster
title. How do they measure up?
As previously stated, the basic gameplay remains the same, but that
isn't to say that there hasn't been significant tweaking to some
of the pre-existing elements. For example, basic movement has also
been beefed up, thanks to an extremely handy stamina-based running
system. It works wonders both for engaging and running away from
the enemy, and is something that fans will welcome with open arms.
The only disadvantage with this particular point is that certain
enemies have been sped up to compensate, and so you'll sometimes
have a tough time clicking on a creature that's zipping about your
screen. Nevertheless, it's a welcome feature.
There are countless other new additions, almost too numerous to
mention. These include a space in the center of town in which to
store extra belongings, greatly expanded story-enhancing NPC dialog,
employable mercenaries as well as the added item types. Each of
these serve their individual purposes rather well, as the items
provide an incredible amount of incentive to look around that extra
corner or to investigate that extra dungeon. The mercenaries are
a little more controversial, however, as they cannot be issued orders
nor controlled in any way. This can lead to some strategy-killing
situations, as they can occasionally release monsters that you had
intended to leave alone, or draw them closer to you than you might
have wished. Still, they help out in their own specific way, as
the physically weaker classes can often find salvation within a
hireling who is willing to launch themselves into melee to destroy
or at the very least distract the enemy. Yes, they can certainly
be a problem, but they can be quite helpful in the proper scenario.
By this point, most people will have heard of Battle.net's colossal
problems, such as the terrible lag times generated by improper server
capacity, the new anti-hacking systems, as well as the more-than-occasional
server crashes. Blizzard has assured fans that further servers and
realms will be added to compensate for the miscalculated amount
of online fans, but as it stands, multiplayer is tough to swallow.
Given, players can opt for a server-free Open game, in which players'
progress is saved on their computers rather than Blizzard's, but
this can limit the pool of people to choose from. With a quest system
identical to that of the single-player mode, an improved trading
system, a five-minute saving timer and its new stance on hacking,
multiplayer certainly sounds as though it has great potential. Unfortunately,
that potential is not realized at the moment, and would-be team
outings should wait for a quieter, less lagged time before setting
out to the slaughter.
With all of this having been said, I would argue that Diablo II
brings more than enough new additions to the table to provide a
sufficiently entertaining experience. Yes, it's the same hack'n'slash
that fans have seen for the last three years. Yes, it has its problems.
If you can accept that it has limited depth and revisited gameplay,
however, you'll find that the new additions breathe a refreshing
degree of life into an increasingly tired concept. Ironically, despite
all the changes, players will also find that their interest will
wane much faster than it did with the original, simply because you
can only dress up the same idea in so many different clothes before
you realize that it is, in fact, the same old idea. Still, when
you're once again neck-deep in zombies, skeletons and other demonic
minions, you'll likely forget that three years have gone by and
will be enjoying yourself nonetheless.
Sound FX: * * * * *
The patter of feet, the gurgling of a dying hell-spawn, the battle-lusted
wail of a would-be combatant...these sounds and more are done with
near-perfection, providing a nice sonic backdrop against which to
play, fight and kill. The weapon and spell noises are equally appreciable,
amply supporting the impression that you are burying your mace or
lightning bolt deep within the shattered skull of your demonic foes.
Also included in this pantheon of excellence is the voice-acting,
which is both engaging and surprisingly believable, given the unusual
and otherworldly nature of some of the speakers.
Musical Score: * * * * *
What Diablo II lacks in visuals, it makes up for in music, as the
appropriately selected and highly engaging tunes never fail to live
up to the moment and truly serve to immerse the player. Ranging
from the vaguely sinister, orchestral tunes of a wide-open plain
to the nearly authentic and rather eerie Eastern chorus that chimes
over the desert lands, the music almost single-handedly builds the
tense and foreboding atmosphere without ever oppressing the player.
It is truly a work of art, and the fact that Blizzard is now releasing
MP3s of said music is a testament to its quality.
Intelligence & Difficulty: * * *
Seeing as how the undead aren't generally known for their intelligence,
it's hardly distracting that an enemy persist in attacking you despite
the fact that you're slaughtering everything and everyone around
him. However, certain smaller creatures, such as the Fallen Ones
and their colored brethren, will run away screaming if you kill
any of their nearby comrades, which, although temporary, is a nice
touch. Mercenaries, on the other hand, aren't nearly as reactive.
They follow you wherever you go, shooting at anyone that could prove
to be a threat to you, and in that capacity they are rather decent.
Unfortunately, you'll occasionally catch them getting stuck behind
a pillar or wandering through doors that they shouldn't, which is
more irritating than truly game-altering.
If there is anything that will abruptly cause someone to abandon
Diablo II, it's the difficulty level. For the most part, skill and
creature progression are fairly balanced, allowing you to defeat
your enemies at a relatively reasonable rate, which becomes more
and more challenging with each passing level. Generally, being slaughtered
within seconds of entering a new area is a painful but telling sign
that you need to level up before trying again.
Overall : * * * *
What does a sequel have to present to fans in order to be considered
a worthy successor? Arguably, it should contain the same general,
entertaining gameplay as the original, while presenting sufficient
innovation and refinement to distinguish itself as a separate title.
Considering Diablo's simplistic, repetitious, click-fest nature,
it seems safe enough to say that Diablo II is, for the most part,
a success. Like its predecessor, it includes hours of pointing and
clicking as you bash dozens of variations of the dozens of monster
types, exploring randomized terrain and collecting hard-to-find
items. This is what we have come to expect from the original, and
it is what we expected from the sequel, which it delivers. We also
expected enough changes and additions to push the limits of what
we already knew, which it also delivers. The skill tree greatly
expands upon the character development, just as the colossal terrain
allows for far more exploration than was previously possible in
the series. Along with mercenaries, storage areas and much, much
more.
Diablo II offers a great deal in the way of originality, with
general success.
This isn't to say that Diablo II is without its faults: the frustrating
and occasionally abrupt learning curve, the somewhat moronic mercenary
AI, and severe instability of Battle.net servers all erode at your
patience, each providing their own unique set of problems. Still,
when all is said and done, it's not these elements that will see
you walk away from the game for good. It's the fact that, even with
the shiniest bells and the loudest whistles, Diablo II is still
about one thing, and one thing only: point, click, and hack 'n'
slash. No matter what you add to it, this is the basic variable
that you'll follow over and over and over, from the title's hideous
beginning to its awe-inspiring end. Ultimately, it's up to you to
decide whether or not you had your fill of the "one track mind"
variable within the first Diablo, or whether you're aching to give
it another go. If you're looking to delve into its repetitive world
once more, Diablo II is actually a fun, and yes, addictive offering.
Is it the game of the year that we were all expecting? I would say
no. Still, the much-needed additions help to drive the longevity
past the now-defunct novelty. Generally speaking, it is a great
experience, and offers a lot of fun to anyone who's willing to set
their expectations aside for a highly entertaining, action-filled
romp. In the realm of the click-fest, Diablo II still reigns supreme.
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