Diablo

Review by : The Ragin Cajun

Format : PC, PSX

Type : Strategy

Players : 1

This game from real time strategy masters Blizzard is a departure from their normal warcraft games. Set in a medieval town called Tristram you take control of a warrior, a sorcerer or a rouge (mid way between them both) in an effort to rid the world of an ancient evil know as Diablo.

While this sounds like standard R.P.G stuff right down to orc and skeletons, it differs slightly in the fact that the combat is real time (just click your mouse on the beastie you wish to slice and dice) and the whole area is spawned randomly and quests differ each time you play. Other than that it is the same old fare of whacking the seven shades of err hit points out of you opponents to advance your character another level. Learning the odd magic spell to fling at the hordes of darkness that inhabit the stereotypical Dungeons of this game is yet another tired convention that this game can boast off.

Despite sounding like a stagnant rehash of old game idea Diablo is actually quite a good game. Although by today’s standards the graphics are rough and unpolished the suit the game well, with dank catacombs and feted caverns being well depicted, if slightly grainy.

Sound is also weak by today’s standards but the sounds of combat are still very fitting, with you often able to hear the undead moments before the show their rotting faces. Unfortunately the sounds of spells are rather poor with a wimpy “foom” representing a supposedly all consuming fireball. The games difficulty varies greatly for time to time as the dungeons are spawned randomly, on the plus side the character from you current adventure can be carried over to any new adventures, allowing for a slightly easier time.

The gameplay is a strange beast. The combat can be rather random as you find yourself clicking on anything and then following that creature into a huge ambush, success comes when you master the art of holding down shift (to stop yourself moving). Using doors and other tight areas so that the hordes of monsters must attack you one by one makes your life easier. If you’re thinking of using Diablos’ online option, don’t. Not that it’s a bad multiplayer game, its not. But the on-line realm of diablo is full of cheaters, who use cracks and codes to become unstoppable killing machines. They might enjoy it but to those who want a decent, cheater free game, it’s a nightmare.

All in all diablo is quite and average game, dispite its flaws it is strangely addictive and if you can find a band of sensible, non-cheating scumbags online it is even better.

Sound         : Weak spell sounds but else fine

  7/10

Gameplay    : Takes a bit of time to learn

  6/10

Difficulty     : No push over but can become repetetive

8/10

Graphics      : Poor and dark but fits the game well

  8/10

  7/10

Overall         : Above avreage but not the best game ever

Review by : The Ragin Cajun