Diablo II

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless it crashes, then fix it." - IGN.com

Developer(s)	Blizzard North
Publisher(s)	^NA Blizzard Entertainment ^EU Sierra Entertainment HanbitSoft
Designer(s)	David Brevik Stieg Hedlund Erich Schaefer Chase Clements Max Schaefer Eric Sexton
Composer(s)	Matt Uelmen
Series	Diablo
Version	1.13c (March 23, 2010)
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X
Release date(s)	^NA / PAL June 29, 2000
Genre(s)	hack and slash^[1]
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ELSPA: 15+ ESRB: M OFLC: MA15+ OFLC: M and R16+ PEGI: 16+
Media/distribution	3 CD-ROMs (Play, Install, and Cinematics discs), Download
System requirements Mac OS G3 processor or equivalent, System 8.1 or later, 64MB RAM plus Virtual Memory, 650MB drive space, 4X CD-ROM drive, 256 color display at 640x480 resolution (800x600 with expansion) Windows 233 MHz Pentium or better, 32 MB RAM, 650 MB drive space, 4X CD-ROM drive, DirectX compatible video card

- From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_II

I'm going to make a bold statement to start off this game review. Here it is: if you haven't played Diablo 2 then you aren't a real gamer, or you are too young and definitely aren't a real gamer (you need to experience some N64, Dreamcast, etc.)

Graphics: 8/10

Rather high but you have to remember the time period that it came out. It was amazing at the time, not realistic, far from it in fact but it was good enough. They had plenty of environmental effects, such as rain, thunder storms, snow? (think this was in the expansion but I haven't played in years). There was even a bunch of blood effects (more than enough actually), even some funny ones (remember the spinning Fallen Ones?). The cinematic on the other-hand are amazing and would alone make it close to 9/10 or even 10/10

Game play: 10/10

4 "races/professions", 2 more if you have the expansion. Plenty of spells and abilities with limited amounts of skill points so you have to choose your tech/learning path wisely, or play the game multiple times, trying a new path each time. The game play is rather simple as well, you kill hordes of monsters, demons, and anything else that Hell throws at you. You gain gold, items, and experience for killing them and then use the experience to level up and unlock skills while doing so. It gets a bit repetitive but the storyline makes up for it enough.

Plot/ Storyline: 10/10

The storyline is the same for each character but that doesn't take away from the story line. Its pretty simple actually, you are hunting down 3 brothers. The Lords of Terror, Hatred, and Destruction. The side quests and your path there is what makes this game so special. If you played the first Diablo game then there is a special treat in one of the side quests for you.

Online game-play:

Its pretty good but items that are dropped are open for anyone to pick up so you can get your drops stolen. If you play with friends then this isn't a big problem since you can just share it with each other. Also the more people in the game, the stronger the creatures you have to kill.

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Buy/rent or leave on the shelf?

BUY BUY BUY! Its a classic, another one of Blizzard's prize games. If you want play the first Diablo game first then move on to this game, the expansion, and then finally sit and wait for Diablo3 when it comes out.

Buy the Battle-chest if you have the chance since it includes the expansion and guide books.

As usual:

Amazon.com: $29.99

Bestbuy: $29.99

Gamestop: $29.99

Ebay: $1-$100

Warning: Buying things from ebay, especially games, you might receive damaged items.