A new Diablo isn’t so much another sequel as a milestone in the development of one of gaming’s all-time greats. It says much that Diablo III is still being played over 10 years on from its original release, while a remaster of the ancient Diablo II sold millions of copies on its launch last year. Fans don’t just blast through a Diablo and move on; they can’t resist coming back for more.
The secret of the series’ success has always been its demonic dark fantasy aesthetic, its multiplayer-friendly action and the lengths its developer, Blizzard, goes to in keeping players engaged. Most of all, though, it lies in its gameplay loop, where you wade through dungeon after dungeon, slaying demons and the undead by the dozen. The more you slay, the more powerful the skills and gear you get to slay them with, and the more spectacular the mayhem becomes. No other series has honed this vicious cycle into something as devilishly addictive or absorbing that’s so much fun to share with friends in co-op play. If Diablo’s roots lie in classic Dungeons and Dragons, you can see its influence everywhere from Destiny 2 to Elden Ring.
