Diablo 4

Be the sliver of hope in a world of evil

Save humanity from the grasp of demons with Diablo IV. The next installment in the veteran, action role-playing dungeon crawler series, Diablo, this game will bring you back to the dark world of Sanctuary where you will fight hordes of demons. This isometric RPG will once again challenge your battle skills and protective instinct. Join other adventurers and uncover lost secrets as you fight the Burning Hells.

Diablo IV will surely take your gaming experience to a whole new level. Beyond its upgraded graphics, it also features a host of new features and reworked mechanics. It allows for greater character customization in terms of cosmetics and playstyle.

A world in need of hope

Diablo IV is set after Diablo III: Reaper of Souls. In the game, the gates of heaven are closed after Maltheal, the Angel of Death, destroyed much of Sanctuary. However, unbeknownst to Heaven, Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto and the canonical mother of humanity, is set loose from her prison. Her return ushered in chaos, and the age of darkness and misery set upon Sanctuary.

It is up to the players, known as the Nephalem, to help the people of Sanctuary. They will need to fight demons lurking everywhere. With each kill, you can get gifts and coins from the people you helped. Diablo IV is set in an open-world game map with five unique regions, a day and night cycle, and ever-changing weather. Hopeless people needing your help fill the land that you will soon find that you will never run out of things to do.

The missions of the game are non-linear, and you are free to take them however you like. You can go on an adventure on your own, or you can team up with other Nephalem to take down as many demons as possible. Teaming up is actually best if you are going to fight the newborn big bosses.

Dungeons, loots, and classes

Diablo IV is a dungeon crawler game, and like its predecessors, you’re going to spend a lot of time in dungeons in this game. There are hundreds of dungeons in this game, all of which are randomly generated. Inside, you will find hundreds of legendary items to equip. As mentioned, in each kill, the people you saved will present you with gold and items, which you can use to upgrade your character. The items you get are varied, so you can either get something awesome or something as drab as a pair of boots. However, there will be cases where the citizen you helped will vanish as soon as you defeat the demon without leaving you with any gift.

This Diablo iteration also brings back well-loved character classes from the previous games. Although each of the classes retains the core concepts from their predecessors, there are reworked mechanics. The five initial classes are as follows:

The Barbarian, which is a series staple, will enable you to wield both double and single-handed weapons in a single build. He will always have a four-weapon slot.
The Sorceress is yet another returning favorite class. She will have AOE attacks that control the battlefield. Unlike its previous iterations, this character focuses on elemental magic and purely arcane stuff.
The Druid, on the other hand, will have companion mobs like wolves and ravens. They can shapeshift, either to a werewolf or a werebear form.
The Rogue marks its return to the franchise after making its first appearance in the first Diablo game. Its use of daggers and knives is supplemented by a combo mechanic to reward successful attack chains.
The Necromancer returns with its established skillset, summoning the undead and throwing bones around. This time, you have the ability to customize your summons through the Book of the Dead.

Speaking of characters, Diablo IV will expand on the character customization systems. Beyond the massive selection of armor set pieces, it now comes with a larger dye system. You can further customize individual pieces of equipment or entire sets. The new addition, however, is the ability to change specific facial features for your characters, which truly takes customization to the next level. These player design choices will remain visible in menus and even in cinematic cutscenes.

Gameplay mechanics

Diablo IV’s gameplay mechanics have been refined and expanded upon, offering a fluid and dynamic combat system with powerful skills and abilities that allow players to decimate their enemies. Diablo IV has new classes, each with its unique skill sets and abilities. Returning classes like the Barbarian and Sorceress are joined by the new Druid and Rogue classes, both of which offer fresh gameplay experiences.

Visuals and world design

The world of Sanctuary has been beautifully realized in Diablo IV, with stunning visuals and atmospheric environments that immerse players in the dark and foreboding world. Players can explore vast open-world regions teeming with dangerous creatures, secrets, and powerful treasures.

Multiplayer and trading

Diablo IV offers seamless multiplayer integration, allowing players to team up and tackle the game’s challenging content together. The trading system has also been revamped, enabling a more dynamic and player-driven economy. Console players can enjoy co-op modes via couch co-op (two players on the same console and sharing a screen), as well as online four-player co-op.

Players who love playing with their friends will definitely appreciate the game’s multiplayer co-op system, as it is balanced and fair. It was developed in such a way that players of any level can make parties and grind together. That said, it is recommended that the player with the lowest level should lead the party, so they can fully reap all of the rewards and experience points.

Diablo IV’s new classes and skills

As already mentioned, Diablo IV’s classes feature some new additions, including the Druid and Rogue classes, each with its unique skill sets and abilities. Players can assume five of Diablo IV’s classes; the Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, and Sorcerer.

System requirements

To enjoy Diablo IV on PC, make sure your system meets the following minimum requirements:

Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit.
Processor: Intel Core i5-6400 / AMD FX-8320.
Memory: 8 GB RAM.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 280.
DirectX: Version 12.
Storage: 45 GB available space (85 GB for HD).

A massive Diablo on Diablo crossover

To celebrate the Diablo 4 release coinciding with the first-year anniversary of Diablo Immortal, both games will be having a crossover event. This will unlock a host of new content for both games, although there are no crossplay prospects for both games. For Diablo Immortal, players will be able to participate in the Merciless Monstrosity event. This will feature new quests, cosmetics, map location, and a new playable class.

Additional content will come in the form of the Children of Lilith Battle Pass, which rewards players after completing tasks and missions. Players will also access the Hatred’s Heritage Phantom Market, letting them trade and purchase unique items. Overall, these new features will give existing players a taste of the Diablo 4 world, serving as a cross-platform marketing effort to hype up the fourth main entry in the Diablo franchise.

Tips for success in Diablo IV

As you begin your journey in Diablo IV, focus on leveling up your character by completing quests, slaying monsters, and exploring dungeons. Experiment with different class abilities and skill combinations to find the playstyle that suits you best. Diablo IV rewards players who take the time to explore its vast open world, so prioritize finding and equipping better gear to increase your character’s power and survivability. Master the art of combat by learning the strengths and weaknesses of your enemies, and join forces with other players to tackle challenging content or trade valuable items to optimize your character’s build.

Can you play Diablo 4 now?

Diablo IV was released on June 6, 2023, so you can now enjoy all that the game has to offer and explore the thrilling adventures this new installment of the iconic Diablo franchise has for fans to enjoy. Prior to the official release, players who availed of the Ultimate Edition of the game were granted exclusive access to the game and its features.

Is Diablo IV free?

Diablo IV is not available for free, unfortunately. Instead, players have the option to purchase one of three editions of the game. These include the Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and the Ultimate Edition. The Digital Deluxe and Ultimate editions both have all of the features available in the standard version, however, players that obtained these editions can obtain the Temptation Mount and Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor.

Additionally, players who purchased the Digital Deluxe and Ultimate editions can unlock the Premium Seasonal Battle Pass. One major difference between the two, though, is that the Ultimate edition automatically lets you skip up to 20 tiers in the seasonal battle pass and obtain the Wings of the Creator emote.

A new era

To further enhance your understanding of the improvements and exciting new features, don’t miss Softonic’s in-depth article on some of the changes the title has made in its upgrade system, major skills branches, World Bosses, world events, and level design. Discover how these elements will elevate your gaming experience by reading our Diablo IV review.

Season of the Malignant

Diablo 4 is preparing to launch Season 1, called the “Season of the Malignant,” and players can expect exciting new features like items, gems, and Uber-Unique content. Blizzard has provided instructions to ensure a smooth transition into the new season.

The Season of the Malignant begins on July 20 and introduces a new evil threat in Sanctuary. Blizzard advises players to complete the campaign on either the Eternal or Seasonal Realm with at least one character to access the Seasonal content. It’s essential to finish the campaign before the season starts.

Players should also explore and uncover every area of Sanctuary on their map, as well as unlock all Altars of Lilith. When the new season begins, their Seasonal character will have all previously discovered areas and unlocked Altars of Lilith, giving them a head start.

Lastly, Blizzard recommends logging into Diablo 4 with the most progressed Eternal Realm character after Patch 1.1.0 is released on July 18. This step ensures that progress made in the campaign, map discoveries, and Altars of Lilith unlocks carry over to the new Seasonal Realm character.

Abandon all hope

All in all, Diablo IV is fundamentally a Diablo experience filled with chaotic spell-slinging that fans love. Only this time, the tone is darker. In fact, the game is quite depressing in a way that you seem like the only slice of hope in a world full of evil. No matter how many demons you slaughter — and there are endless — you will still feel the depression of the land around you. But, if you are into playing the hero who saves the nation, this game will definitely make you feel badass.