Today, on September 23, 2021, Diablo 2: Resurrected is being released. The remaster of the beloved ARPG classic has already generated a lot of excitement and some discussions beforehand. MeinMMO takes a final look at why you should consider checking out this 21-year-old game.
What is Diablo 2 Resurrected? With Resurrected, Diablo 2 from 2000 receives a remaster. The developer team from Vicarious Visions specializes in such projects and has now taken on Blizzard’s ARPG.
The remaster comes with modern graphics and fully reworked cinematics. However, in terms of content, it is identical to the classic from 21 years ago – or more precisely, 20 years ago. Because the Lord of Destruction expansion is also included. This means you have access to all 7 classes from back then.
When is the remaster being released? On Thursday, September 23, the servers will open at 5:00 PM German time. Resurrected can then be played on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Also a new feature, as the ARPG was not available on consoles before.
We are accompanying the release with our live ticker for the launch of Diablo 2: Resurrected.
Checklist – Should I play Diablo?
For a quick overview, we have included a short checklist for you. We have prepared 10 statements for you, and if you answer at least 7 of them with “yes”, you can confidently grab the remaster of Diablo 2. More detailed information about Resurrected can be found further down in the text.
- I played Diablo 2 before and liked it.
- Path of Exile is exactly my game or maybe a bit too complex.
- The story of Diablo 3 interests me and I want to know what happened before.
- I enjoy games with a dark atmosphere.
- I like looting and leveling.
- Action RPGs/Hack’n’Slash are among my favorite games.
- I enjoy different classes in games that differentiate from one another.
- Challenges motivate me to improve.
- Older graphics and retro games do not deter me or I even really like them.
- Diablo 3 is too easy for me.
Old Game, New Features – What’s Inside?
Why should I check out Diablo 2? Diablo 2 is considered one of the best, if not the best Hack’n’Slash and a milestone of the genre. The remaster aims to capture the spirit of the game and modernize it so that it runs smoothly on all common platforms.
The series and especially Diablo 2 are known for their dark, oppressive atmosphere and gloomy story, as well as the relatively difficult entry with few tutorials. A look at the game is worth it if you don’t want to be constantly guided like in modern games.
A good comparison here is Path of Exile. If you enjoy the more modern ARPG – or if it feels a bit too complex – you should take a look at Diablo 2. It was considered a model for Path of Exile.
If you enjoy looting and leveling, you should definitely play Diablo 2 for the replayability alone. You can invest hundreds of hours here to get that one item that improves you. A hardcore fan even fished for the ‘holy grail’ for 4 years.
With the overhaul, Diablo 2 feels significantly more modern. Although it doesn’t quite reach the graphics of Diablo 3 or newer games, it is still visually much more appealing than the original version. This makes the entry a bit easier.
By the way: The controls are also new. You can play Resurrected on all platforms with a controller, which solves an annoying problem. This provides a new gaming experience, although it is considered controversial among purists.
Veterans can also transfer their offline saves from earlier and take a look at their beloved characters in a new light. Nostalgia can also serve as a driving force here. There will not be crossplay at first, but you can transfer online characters through cross-progression on different platforms.
Read more about the remaster in our hub:
Diablo 2: Resurrected as a remaster – Everything you need to know about the release
Also for Newbies – But not if you’re looking for something “new”
Is it worth it to play Diablo 2 if I’m not familiar with it? Definitely. Especially for newcomers, a look might even be more suitable than for veterans. Because some of the new details do not disturb your nostalgic view of the game.
Small things like the automatic pickup of gold can feel “unfamiliar” or disturbing. Resurrected has made numerous changes to Diablo 2, some of which can be turned off – such as graphics or the mentioned gold pickup.
Nevertheless, hardcore fans and purists might be disturbed by small changes. Newcomers, however, will not know any different and can dive into Resurrected without prejudice.
When should you not play it? Despite the revamped graphics, Diablo 2 shows its age. It is not a newly created game, but is still based on the foundation from the year 2000. If you are into absolutely top-notch graphics, you should think twice about wanting to play.
If you expect a completely new Diablo with Resurrected, you will also be disappointed. It is nothing more and nothing less than the remaster of a 21-year-old game. The developers have made it clear that Resurrected is not a remake. MeinMMO editor Gerd Schuhmann, as a veteran, is also not convinced by the remake:
Diablo 2 is not a “new iteration” of the series. Therefore, do not expect absolutely new features or more content than what has been known for years. However, there are some promises for the future.
More content is coming, new content “not excluded”
This is how it will continue: In fact, the story of Diablo 2 is complete and continues with Diablo 3. However, the developers have already hinted that new content is not excluded. There is also discussion about new features.
For example, there is talk of adopting the loot feature from Diablo 3. However, whether and when that will be implemented is still unclear. What we do know for sure is that the “ladder” will follow – basically the seasons of Diablo 2. These will be added after the release.
Have you already decided whether you will play Diablo 2? Let us know in a comment! And if the answer is “yes”, all that’s left is to choose the right class. Our quiz will help you with this:
Diablo 2 Resurrected: Which class suits you? Participate in our quiz
