On March 29, 2022, Blizzard presented a new quarterly update on the development of Diablo 4. In it, the developers show what the different areas of the game look like and explain some design decisions. The new images promise that Diablo 4 can indeed shed the “colorful” design of its predecessor.
What are these videos? In the new Quarterly Update for Diablo, a total of 7 new videos are showcased, featuring 3 of the dungeons and 3 outdoor areas of Diablo 4. The 7th video shows a summary of the artworks.
The teased tests for Diablo 4 were not announced after all, but the images should provide joy. After all, there were already great hopes for the design of the upcoming action RPG.
Diablo 3 frequently faced criticism for being too colorful, even though it was planned to be darker. The Diablo series is generally known for being quite dark and creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. Diablo 4 apparently aims to return to these roots.
Already in the July 2021 update, disgusting monsters were shown and previously, images of decapitated enemies bursting into flames were seen. The narrative, therefore, is again a bit more brutal than before. The new images emphasize the sinister atmosphere.
Design of 3 dungeons and 3 outdoor areas in video
These are the new videos: For a total of 6 areas, there is approximately a one-minute gameplay clip each in which the developers showcase the environment. Scosglen Coast, for example, is a rocky coastal region inhabited by fishermen. According to the developers, the aim was to convey that as well. Accordingly, simple buildings made of planks, wooden frames, and fishing nets as decorations dominate the environment:
The Orbei Abbey somewhat resembles the monastery from Act 1 of Diablo 2. Large walls and statues stand in an otherwise barren steppe, right next to a salt desert. The abbey was once a pilgrimage site for the followers of Zakarum and is now an abandoned place:
Kyovashad looks like a town straight out of Bloodborne or a vampire movie in Gothic style. Open fire bowls illuminate narrow cobblestone alleys and crumbling houses, snow swirls in front of the camera and collects in the dark corners. The medieval village is meant to feel oppressive, cold, and rough:
The first dungeon introduced in the update is the Forgotten Places, according to the devs a prime example of the “return to darkness” and likely the place that is for the boss “material for nightmares”.
This is a so-called “Tile Set”, a set of components from which random dungeons are created. In these ancient ruins, you will find corrupted plants that whip at you with their roots and blood stains of your predecessors. The design is reminiscent of the catacombs from Diablo 3:
The Wretched Caves are the second dungeon being shown. These rather bare, natural caves are only dimly lit, and you will mainly find natural rock formations. In some of the caves, druids once hid, whose talismans and structures are still weathered to see:
The last dungeon presented are the Flooded Depths. These caves with makeshift structures made of planks and rotten wood are reminiscent of the sewers of Diablo 3. In the dungeons, underground tunnels and flooded, marshy ruins are combined:
When can I finally play Diablo 4? There is still no date for the release, nor for possible tests of the upcoming action RPG. The new Blizzard CEO Mike Ybarra has already revealed that he knows more, but an announcement is still missing.
Blizzard apparently wants to take the time they need to properly develop Diablo 4. Accordingly, forecasts are currently rather difficult. The speculations range from 2023 to 2025. At the moment, it is probably best to prove patience and wait.
In the meantime, however, you can occupy yourself with strong alternatives:
Games like Diablo – Who needs Diablo 4? Here are 11 current alternatives
