Blizzard throws all the current plans of MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz into disarray with a surprising shadow drop for Diablo 2: Resurrected. Sanctuary calls. Everything else must wait.
Actually I am currently leveling my Alliance rogue on the Sauercrowd server of WoW Classic Hardcore. Over the weekend I reached level 40, still without a visit to the spirit healer. After that, it was actually firmly planned for me to check out Project: Gorgon – which is an indie MMORPG that is receiving incredibly good reviews and increasingly attracts more players to the servers.
Both must now wait. Blizzard has unexpectedly announced and immediately released a new class for Diablo 2: Resurrected: the Warlock. That alone would have been enough for me to download what I consider the best Diablo installment once again after a 4-year break.
Here you see gameplay of the new Warlock class:
25 years of waiting is over
It has been nearly 25 years since Blizzard added a new class to Diablo 2. At that time, Assassin and Druid complemented the offering of the base game with the Lord of Destruction expansion consisting of Amazon, Barbarian, Necromancer, Paladin, and Sorceress.
When in 2021, Diablo 2: Resurrected went live as the great modernization of the hack & slash classic, there were important innovations for the outdated technology and comfort, but fans had to “settle” for the familiar classes through the 4K version of Sanctuary.
It is still fun, even after years, to slash through the hellish hordes as a Javazon, Hammerdin, Poison-Necro, or Iceorb-Sorc, but the still very popular version of Diablo certainly deserved more fresh content – especially a new class.
Now the developers have finally fulfilled this wish. Better late than never. And also through a surprising shadow drop.
What’s new in Diablo 2: Resurrected?
The new class relies on the tried-and-true method of fighting fire with fire in the war against Hell. Or to put it differently: unleashing demons upon demons and bombarding diablo’s hordes with hellfire. Thus, it combines the Sorceress and the Necromancer, only in a devilish manner.
Will that be fun? I don’t know yet. But after 25 years of class thirst, I definitely want to find out! The various other novelties from the Warlock DLC “Reign of the Warlock” will likely enhance my next D2R run:
- Custom loot filters and the new loot chest provide more comfort.
- The new Chronicle system helps complete your collection of legendary loot.
- The revamped Terror Zones offer a greater challenge in the endgame.
- With the Ancients, there is a new challenge for experienced players.
- There are over 30 new items and a new rune word.
The only detail that bothers me a bit is the price. The new DLC for Diablo 2: Resurrected is supposed to cost nearly 25 euros. From my perspective, that is quite a lot when considering that there isn’t a new act in a fresh region, but “only” a class and detail additions. After all, the foundation is almost 26 years old. I can understand anyone who says: that is too expensive.
Why is Diablo 2: Resurrected worth it in 2026?
There are various reasons why, despite two successors, Diablo 2 enjoys the reputation in parts of the community as the best installment of the iconic hellish franchise. The game from 2000 was the logical progression from the somewhat crude first part.
The flow of looting and leveling and the character progression still captivates today. The atmosphere of the world is – unlike in Diablo 3 – wonderfully dark and looks wonderfully detailed even today thanks to the Resurrected version.
It also lacks the artificially imposed MMO garb of Diablo 4. Those who want to play D2R with friends can do so. Otherwise, you just fight your way alone through the oppressive world of Sanctuary. Perfect!
If you could fault D2R for anything, it would be the rather sluggish start to the adventure from today’s perspective. The stamina mechanic slows down the pace. The same goes for the regularly necessary visits to town to convert stuff to gold and thus clear out the inventory. The comprehensive expansion of the loot chest should eliminate the latter annoyance.
For my part, I will spend the next few weeks in Sanctuary. What about you? By the way, another game from Blizzard is currently celebrating a surprising comeback – or would you have thought that at some point we would hear positive things about Overwatch? Overwatch 2 ushers in a new era, drops the number from the name and brings 10 new heroes
