Blizzard is drawing players back into its dark fantasy universe with Diablo 4 in 2023, and the hack-and-slash RPG is shaping up to be a bold entry in the franchise. The sequel's open world and comprehensive progression are both pivotal additions that may break boundaries in the genre, although these ambitions should not discount Diablo's dungeon-crawling impact in previous years. It is a fact that Diablo 4 will not exist in a vacuum, so fans might hope for a quality experience that learns from the series' history as well as other successful counterparts.
Diablo 3, despite some shortcomings, was a hit that could serve as a baseline in aiming for a broader scope. ARPGs have maintained their popularity in recent years as well, and competitors such as Path of Exile managed to celebrate the best parts of Blizzard's classic titles without parroting the same features. Diablo 4 is one of the most anticipated games of 2023 which shows that the IP still stirs enthusiasm despite the formidable expectations surrounding the project, but its relevance should endure as long as Blizzard can enhance its seminal property. The team will have to account for the breadth of experiences currently available across the genre, including ongoing Diablo games.
Diablo 3 Features That Should Return in Diablo 4
Blizzard has affirmed that future installments will be online-only, a commitment that began upon Diablo 3's initial launch in 2012. That live service should justify its existence by yielding a consistent cadence of new events to keep players engaged in the sequel. However, the next season of Diablo 3 is possibly the game's last major update moving forward, with post-release support for Diablo 4 presumably becoming Blizzard's priority once it takes over later this year. The user experience is key in this case because server issues persisted through the third game's early lifecycle - Blizzard has hopefully learned from that controversy to ensure a smooth rollout of its next game.
Authenticity is another important factor in continuing the franchise, and the integration of legacy elements would make fans feel at home. Longtime players might be pleased to discover several original characters returning in Diablo 4, meaning that stories should carry over from Diablo 3 and the Reaper of Souls expansion into the follow-up. Gameplay is central to the series overall, although its atmosphere and lore are valuable in contextualizing the adventure with a uniquely grim tone.
Beyond the core narrative, a variety of classes and action-based abilities need to be a focus in Diablo 4. Appreciating the fundamentals of the second and third Diablo games, Diablo 4's combat needs to find a balance between synchronous control and rewarding combos that favor flexibility. In ARPGs, player choice is generally associated with the process of equipping characters with impactful swings and spells that gradually increase in power over time. Both Diablo 3 and the spiritual successor Path of Exile had deep class-based mechanics - although the latter is considered to be much more involved.
Diablo 4 Should Remain Competitive with Path of Exile
Grinding Gear Games' Path of Exile is one of the numerous games to try before Diablo 4, earning recognition for its elaborate rendition of ARPG design in a free-to-play, online world. The team took cues from Blizzard games in formulating a modernized take that appealed to hardcore fans, and it now harbors a strong community by virtue of its quality. In some regard, Grinding Gear Games' project might be seen as an extension of Diablo and its history as a genre-defining, sword-and-sorcery RPG.
The uncompromising gameplay in Path of Exile can be a rewarding experience, and this is especially true for optimizing passive stats. Blizzard could also design streamlined character-building systems akin to Path of Exile's skill tree to enable diverse playstyles. The Codex of Power in Diablo 4 seems to be an example of customization on this front, and all the possible specializations might be an avenue for players that want to invest time in perfecting their classes.
While Diablo 4 needs to cover its bases as a premium ARPG product, there is little doubt that the scope of this sequel could be massive. The developer's upcoming release could have a longer lifespan if it also offers new hooks, or endgame content, like Path of Exile's Ruthless Mode first revealed in 2022. If Blizzard succeeds in implementing the best version of its own formula in Diablo 4, then fans will be singing its praises for years to come.
Diablo 4 launches on June 6, 2023, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
