After missing the last two Diablo 4 beta weekends, I was more than a bit eager to hop into Sanctuary for last weekend's Server Slam. Initially, the lack of queues and impeccable presentation made me think that the wait was worth it, but after hours of boredom capped off by a dismal boss fight, I'm now mostly filled with regrets.
I was really taken aback by how conservative those first 20 levels felt. The early game is never where ARPGs shine, but even by the standards set by the likes of Diablo 3, Path of Exile and Lost Ark, Diablo 4 is very restrained, revealing little in the way of novelties or fresh ideas. From the skill trees to the quest design, it all just felt incredibly basic—not what I'd expect from ARPG royalty.
