After the Diablo: Immortal reveal, the Diablo franchise seemed like it was in a rough spot. It was going to be the first Diablo game in a decade, and the announcement famously did not go well. It led to all sorts of memes, negative feedback, and controversy that Blizzard still has not shaken yet. While Diablo: Immortal may have proved some doubters right, Diablo fever is in full swing thanks in part to Diablo 2: Resurrected and largely due to Diablo 4's upcoming release, and Blizzard should capitalize on it by following Resident Evil's remake example.
2021 saw the beginning of a new wave of Diablo titles, and it all started with the hotly anticipated Diablo 2: Resurrected. After the controversial Warcraft 3: Reforged and Diablo: Immortal's announcement, this title felt like a fantastic palate cleanser and proof that the future of this franchise was not all bad. It wasn't all good, but neither was it all bad. Luckily, It seems like Diablo's future is as bright as ever, and hopefully, Blizzard continues this content train with a Diablo remake.
Diablo Resurrected is a Must for the Franchise
No one really knew what to expect from Diablo 2: Resurrected as its release date neared. Many fans felt like Diablo: Immortal was a blatant cash grab, and Warcraft 3: Reforged's launch had been met with immense criticism only a year prior. It did not seem like Blizzard would be able to do Diablo 2 justice, but it largely pulled it off.
While Diablo 2: Resurrected feels a bit dated, it maintains the charm of the original title and feels like a worthy remaster. It is easy to see why this game set a new standard for ARPGs, and the remaster felt like a great blast from the past. It went a long way in honoring this iconic franchise while also getting fans excited about its next chapter, and Diablo 4 cannot come soon enough.
Diablo 4 will be the third Diablo game in three years, and the current momentum should not stop once it hits store shelves. After the release of Diablo 4, Blizzard should consider reviving the title that started it all. It will probably feel even more dated than Diablo 2: Resurrected, but it would be a fantastic way to honor the beginnings of this franchise. Bringing every single title to modern devices with updated graphics seems like a must, and the only thing stopping Blizzard is Blizzard itself.
A Diablo Remake
The first Diablo is also the only game that is not available on Battle.net; instead, players have to go to alternative storefronts like GOG. It seems odd that franchise fans cannot play through the entire franchise on the same platform, but that could easily be fixed. Blizzard could finally bring the classic ARPG to Battle.net with an HD remaster and add the original version right alongside it.
After the release of Diablo 4, the original Diablo will be the only title left out of the current Diablo resurgence. The entry that started it all seems to have mostly been left in the dust, but Blizzard should ensure that it is not forgotten. The slew of Resident Evil remakes has helped breathe new life into that franchise, and DiabloResurrected could do the same for the Diablo franchise. With the current wave of Diablo content, there has never been a better time to capitalize on the brand.
There is no shortage of Diablo content on the horizon, but it would be nice if Diablo1 got to tag along. Fans of the franchise likely have years’ worth of updates to look forward to in Diablo 4, and Blizzard probably still has a few things up its sleeve. It feels like a wonderful time to be a Diablo fan, and hopefully, fans will be able to experience everything that the franchise has to offer one day.
Diablo 4 releases June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
