alyssa01's Full Review: Diablo 2 - Bestseller Series for Windows
Overview: Diablo, the phenomenally popular game that revolutionized the computer gaming industry, is (finally) back with its sequel: Diablo II. Like its predecessor, Diablo II cannot be categorized -- it may, perhaps, be titled a role-playing game, or an action game, or a strategy game... but true to its heritage, Diablo II surpasses genre and pigeonholes to bring an action-packed, graphically-pleasing, fantastic game.
Gameplay Mechanics: Five new character classes await your touch when you first log in. Although the version I am currently playing (Beta) contains only the Barbarian class, the other four possibilities look far more interesting: Amazon, Paladin, Sorceress, and Necromancer. The Barbarian class is the basic swordsman... with a lot more added on to keep him interesting.
Like the original Diablo, each level gained gives you 5 more points to distribute among the four main attributes. Each one governs an aspect of your character: strength, dexterity, mental prowess, or overall stamina and vitality. Unlike the original Diablo, levels are far more interesting, since, in addition to the basic 5 attribute points, you will also receive 1 skill point.
Each character has skills, some of which are passive (no mana involved) and others of which are active (use requires mana expenditure). Spending your single skill point is a tough choice, since you can not only choose to learn a new skill, but you can also choose to increase your level in an already-existing skill. For example, the Barbarian has a skill called "Bash." In order to get it for the first time, you must spend one skill point. To increase its level, you must spend another whole, precious skill point. It seems to me that each character has a lot of skills to learn... which means leveling will not get old.
Storyline: In beta, the only quests available are two small ones: clean out the caves, and clean out the graveyard. You get rewards for doing each, as per the original Diablo game. It seems as though Tristram (the town from Diablo) was not really saved... something else happened back there, in the labyrinth of hell beneath the town. The lone warrior who "destroyed" Diablo took the soul of the Lord of Terror inside himself, hoping that his own goodness would contain the evil of the soul that now shared his body.
He was wrong.
Miscellaneous: The overall gameplay is exactly like the original Diablo, only more interesting (new skills, new spells, new items). The maps are, of course, randomly generated... which means that you can continue loading again and again, with a different game waiting for you each time!
The graphics are great. In a sort of faux 3D style, the world is shot from the same view as the original Diablo (3/4 overhead view). Blood and guts fly as you hack, slash, bash, and fireball your way through minions.
The music is nothing short of unbelievable. It's spooky and just a little strange... very eerie.
Lastability: Like the original, this game has GREAT lastability. Since the game is a different one each time, you won't get tired too quickly. Five character classes, with different skill trees also serve to make this game long-lasting.
Rating: If, for some reason, you did not like the original Diablo, do not try this one. It holds true to that first beautiful creation very well. If you liked the first game at all, then pick this one up. Hey, it's not even out yet... and it's already gone gold.
Since the Beginning of Time the forces of Order and Chaos have been engaged in an eternal struggle to decide the fate of all Creation. That struggle h...More at Buy.com
In Diablo II, players return to a world of dark gothic fantasy. As one of five distinct character types, players will explore the world of Diablo II, ...More at HotMovieSale.com
NEW! DIABLO 2 EVIL HAS SURVIVED WIN MAC GAME Publisher: Blizzard (UK) Platform : Windows Macintosh Format: Ntsc Pal Item Upc # : 3348542160316 Msrp Ra...More at eBay
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.