Diablo 2 is finally available and, yes, it is well worth the wait.
Everything that made the original Diablo great--nonstop action, wicked
monsters, dark Gothic atmosphere, and fantastic magic items--has returned. But
new enhancements such as the class skill system and cheater-proof multiplayer
competition make Diablo 2 even better than the original. The millions of
gamers who fought their way through the horror of Tristram's catacombs in the
original Diablo realized that all was not well after their hero destroyed the
demon's physical body. Diablo 2 opens with a vivid animated vision of that
mad, doomed hero, who unwittingly spreads chaos as he moves toward a fate of
Diablo's choosing. With the original character classes gone, players choose
from a new cadre of champions: the Barbarian (can wield two two-handed swords
at once, one in each hand), the Necromancer (raises the dead to fight his
battles), the Amazon (master of bow and spear), Paladin (holy crusader), and
Sorceress (wielder of elemental magic). These warriors follow a diabolical
plot through four acts, and each act is roughly as big as the original Diablo.
Diablo 2 looks and behaves very much like Diablo. Players are assigned
quests by nonplayer characters and adventure through dark catacombs and
crypts. Hordes of vile monsters assail the hero, who survives by force of
arms, powerful spells, and through the use of varied and exotic magic items.
Randomly generated dungeons guarantee fresh adventure each time a new game is
started. But unlike the original game, characters must fight their way through
the above-ground wilderness before entering a dungeon. Fortunately, some of
the frustrations of adventuring have been lessened in Diablo 2, thanks to the
new ability to run and the clever implementation of "waypoints" that
let your character quickly travel to and from the safety of town.
Along with the new character classes comes a new character skill system. As
in the original game, players improve their character's ability scores as they
kill monsters and gain experience. But unlike the original game, players get
to add specific skills, spells, and powers each time they advance. For
example, after gaining a level you could choose between taking a skill that
improves your attack speed or a skill that allows you to scatter your foes
with a mighty shout. With this customized advancement system it is unlikely
that two high-level characters, even characters of the same class, will be
alike. Instead of progressing along a set path, you can choose skills and
powers that complement your own particular playing style. Interestingly, this
new customizable class system closely parallels the changes made in the new
edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
Other enhancements include a method for creating and customizing magic
items, 3-D accelerated spell effects, anticheat multiplayer code, and a place
to safely store excess money and equipment. But even without these tweaks,
even without the sophisticated story line and all the cool new features,
Diablo 2 is just a great game. The sound, music, and graphics combine to
create a tantalizingly eerie setting. Players will willingly let their
game-playing hours slip well past reasonable bedtimes, suffering bleary-eyed
classes and meetings in exchange for "just one more" magic item,
dungeon level, or character skill.