The upcoming release of Diablo 4 has many fans excited for the return of the beloved action RPG franchise. One aspect of the game that has players potentially divided is the story. This is because when Diablo 3 launched, the ARPG didn't initially do well for having just the story mode that would gate people from later acts in the name of progressive difficulty. Eventually, Diablo 3 released its Adventure Mode, allowing players to skip playing the story and get right to the monster slaying for loot with added procedural sandbox elements. Now, Diablo 4 is following suit, and some players may choose to skip the story entirely. In contrast, others may feel that the story is a crucial part of the Diablo experience.
Ultimately, there are both pros and cons to a player skipping Diablo 4's upcoming story. On the pro side, skipping its story allows players to jump right into the action and get to the game's core: killing monsters, looting treasure, and leveling up. Skipping the story also allows players to replay the game multiple times without having to sit through the same cutscenes and dialogue each time. For players who have already played through the previous games in the series, there's also the possibility the newest Diablo story may not interest them.
Getting to Diablo 4's Replayable Content Faster
Another pro is that skipping the story can also save time. Some players may not have the patience or the desire to sit through hours of dialogue and cutscenes and would rather spend that time exploring the game's many levels and battling its diverse enemies. Skipping through the story also has the benefit of allowing players to experience Diablo 4's endgame sooner. For those looking for a challenge, the endgame usually provides the kind of difficulty for players to test their builds against, and even the final chapter of a story mode lacks this kind of engagement.
On the con side, skipping the story means missing out on the lore and world-building on top of the actual plot behind Diablo 4's story mode, which could be quite entertaining. The Diablo series is known for its rich and detailed world, and the story is an important way for players to learn about the history and characters of the game. Additionally, the story can also provide context for the player's actions throughout the story and even the endgame, making Diablo 4 feel more immersive and meaningful from locale to locale.
Characters and Enemies Could Have Less Meaning
Another con is that skipping the story may result in a less satisfying overall experience. The story can help to create an emotional connection between the player and the game, making the victory over the final boss feel more rewarding. Without the story, the game may feel more like a mindless hack-and-slash game. Furthermore, skipping the story may also miss out on the character development and emotional investment that can be found in the story. Characters in Diablo 4 can also have unique story arcs and personal growth, which could make Diablo 4 more interesting and engaging for recurring characters that may appear outside the story.
Whether to skip the story in Diablo 4 is a personal decision that depends on the player's priorities and preferences. Ignoring the story can save time and allow players to jump right into the action, but it also means missing out on Diablo 4's character lore, world-building, and emotional investment that the story can provide. Ultimately, players will have to weigh the pros and cons for themselves and decide which is more important to them: the story or the action.
Diablo 4 launches on June 6, 2023, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
