A quintessential action RPG, remastered
Diablo II: Resurrected is a role-playing game developed by Blizzard Entertainment for PC. This action RPG is a remaster of the cult classic Diablo II, as well as its expansion, Lord of Destruction. This enhanced version comes more than two decades after the release of the original back in 2000.
Diablo II: Resurrected comes with various improvements and enhancements over the original Diablo II game. The most notable change is regarding the original’s graphics and visual effects, which have been greatly spruced up. Recent updates have yielded improvements that enabled the heroes to exhibit special powers and better skill sets.
What is Diablo II?
Diablo II is part of a video game franchise that was developed by Blizzard Entertainment, with the first-ever game released back in 1997. It is a series of action role-playing dungeon crawler games that features hack-and-slash gameplay, with three titles in its belt so far and a fourth one that is in the early stages of development.
Diablo I was a good foundation for the series while Diablo III was the newest and featured modern graphics and mechanics. Diablo II was the one where Blizzard really hit the mark, though, and perfected its formula. From its story and gameplay to the loot, and its PVP system, everything just worked well. Even the “grind” that it was known for felt rewarding.
Diablo II: Resurrected is essentially a homage to the original Diablo II and is a testament to just how much endearment the game had even with time. The remastered version mostly focused on graphical enhancements and improvements to network functions and some minor convenience upgrades. The core gameplay and item system that fans love have been kept intact here.
More balanced skills and a new set of rune words
The most predominant issue confronting Diablo II’s previous versions was the evident disparity in power between its classes and heroes. Despite the variety of special skills unique to each character, most of them were underpowered when it came to wielding their capabilities. Fortunately, recent changes have remedied this issue so that classes, including the Martial Arts Assassin, Bowazon, and Hybrid Druid, are now more valuable and competitive than ever, thanks to the improvements made to their skills and stats.
Additionally, the Skill Hotbar was made visible on the screen, resulting in a marked improvement in the combat efficiency of players. The heroes’ arsenals were also expanded with the addition of a set of eight rune words. When these mystical archaic words are uttered in unison, they shall evoke a power of great magnitude.
- Bulwark: This helps replenish life by 30%. It also mitigates physical damage by 10% – 15%.
- Cure: It increases maximum life by 5%. It also provides poison resistance by 40% – 60%.
- Ground: It offers 40% – 60% lightning resistance and 10% – 15% lightning absorption.
- Hearth: It delivers cold resistance of 40% – 60%. It simultaneously absorbs freezing temperatures by 10% – 15%
- Temper: It resists fire by 40% – 60% and absorbs blazing temperature by 10% – 15%
- Hustle: It adds 10% dexterity and slows down stamina drainage at a 50% rate. Additionally, it provides a 30% increased attack speed and a 5% chance to cast level nine Burst of Speed when striking.
- Mosaic: It gives a 20% increased attack speed and a 200% – 250% enhanced damage to enemies. It further exerts a 3% – 14% cold damage. Moreover, it halts Monster Heal.
- Metamorphosis: It enhances defense by 50% – 80%, strength by 10%, vitality by 10%, and all kinds of resistance by 10%. It also provides immunity from being frozen.
A classic with a fresh coat of paint
Diablo II: Resurrected is a welcome addition to the franchise and gives long-time fans a chance to relive the game all over again with modern improvements and enhancements. If you’re a newcomer to the world of Diablo, though, you get to experience what is arguably the best entry in the entire series and a piece of gaming history.
