5 Reasons Why You Should Play D2R (Instead Of D4)

Back in 2000, Blizzard brought us back to Sanctuary against the forces of Hell in Diablo 2. With its solid gameplay and story, the game took the world by storm. It was considered as the best game of that year and it's honestly one of the best games to come from Blizzard. Lots of gamers out there have fond memories of Diablo 2.

Then in 2021, Blizzard release Diablo 2: Resurrected from out of nowhere. All of a sudden, the RPG classic is now readily available to everyone and it comes with lots of improvements. Better graphics and cutscenes, cross-platform progression, and so many quality-of-life improvements that we can't possibly list them all down here.

Diablo 2: Resurrected didn't take the world by storm the same as the original game but there's no doubt that this is another masterpiece from Blizzard. Now, even the new generation of gamers can enjoy the tried and tested classics on modern consoles.

Did Diablo 2: Resurrected Affect Diablo 4's Release?

Two years after launching Diablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo 4 launched. The game was pretty good. It got stellar reviews and made great sales across the board. However, the dwindling player count makes other players believe that Diablo 3 is actually a failure. There are lots of reasons why Diablo 3 failed.

One potential reason according to fans is Diablo 2: Resurrected. If you're sick and tired of the resetting loop of Diablo 4, you can easily jump back into Diablo 2 and play an entirely different game which by some player's standards, feels more polished than the latest entry in the series.

It's easy to say that some fans just have a severe case of nostalgia goggles over Diablo 2 but don't knock it till you try it. Diablo 2: Resurrected is a great game. If you try it out, you might even say that it's far better than Diablo 4. So, what's the verdict: Is Diablo 2: Resurrected worth playing?

5 Reasons Why You Should Play Diablo 2: Resurrected (D2r) Instead Of D4

Diablo 4 is a great game but if you're thinking about which is better or whether you should jump into Diablo 2 after Diablo 4, then here are 5 reasons why you should hop on board.

No Internet Needed

One of the biggest gripes with Diablo 4 is that you always need an internet connection to play the game. It's a shame especially if you just want to enjoy the single-player campaign. If you're one of many who hate games that require an internet connection, Diablo 2 is for you.

After you download the game and all of its updates, all that's left for you to do is enjoy it from beginning to end. No need to worry about server maintenance, poor connection, DDoS attacks, and such. It's also worth noting that the game is available on more platforms too.

That said, the game is available on the Nintendo Switch. It's very fun to play the game in the palm of your hands. You can take it everywhere you go, and Diablo 2 will always be there with you to keep you company. Unfortunately, we can't say the same for Diablo 4.

That said, one of the biggest changes that Blizzard can make to turn Diablo 4 into something better is to simply allow the game to be played offline. Seriously, it's hard not to feel bad knowing that you need to stay connected to the internet just to play even Diablo 4's campaign.

The Game Is A Lot More Competitive

Diablo 4 does contain PvE elements but with no leaderboards, there's really no reason to put yourself at risk during PvE combat. Oddly enough, despite being the older game, Diablo 2 contains better competitive features to give you more reason to grind.

The game introduces the ladder system. In Diablo 2, the "Ladder" is a unique competitive feature that adds excitement to the game. During each ladder season, players get a chance to start fresh, competing for top rankings and special rewards. Here's a discreet overview of how the ladder system operates:

1. Season Start - To partake in the ladder, players must start a new character explicitly designated for the ladder. Existing characters from previous ladders or non-ladder characters cannot be converted into ladder participants.
2. Ladder Format - Ladder characters compete to achieve the highest level, gain the most experience points, and earn other significant accomplishments. Rankings are made public and can be viewed both within the game and on official platforms.
3. Exclusive Items - Ladder characters have access to unique items, runewords, and features exclusive to the ladder realm, providing an added allure to this competitive mode.
4. Player Interactions - Trading and interactions are confined within the same realm; ladder characters can only trade with fellow ladder characters, and the same applies to the non-ladder realm.
5. End of Season - As a ladder season concludes, ladder characters and their possessions are usually moved to the non-ladder category, allowing players to continue their journey in a more casual setting.

Diablo 4 follows the same format when it comes to their seasonal progression. The main difference however is that in Diablo 2's ladders, players have a goal and that's to rank high in the leaderboard. In Diablo 4, you simply grind to make your character stronger and that's it.

Thanks to the format of Diablo 2's ladders, there's actually a lot more replay value in the game, even if the new seasons don't introduce story elements like in Diablo 4.

Classic Classes

Unlike Diablo 4, there's no way to customize your character in Diablo 2. However, that doesn't make any of the pre-made characters not worth your time. In fact, many believe that the game has the best lineup of classes in the game. Each comes with its own pros and cons, but most importantly, they're pretty much balanced out through and through.

Here's an overview of the classes in the game.

• The Amazon - The Amazon comes from the Twin Seas. This class is pretty akin to the Rogue class in Diablo 4. This class can use bows and other dex-type weapons such as spears. The class can also use a variety of magic, making them very formidable on the field.
• The Assassin - This class is very much like the Rogue from Diablo 4. It differs from the Amazon class in the sense that this one doesn't heavily rely on magic. However, the Assassin does use a lot of traps to her advantage.
• The Barbarian - If you loved the Barbarian in Diablo 4, then you're going to love the class's iteration of this game. It's a simpler version of the class from Diablo 4, allowing you to focus more on dealing massive damage while gaining amazing bonuses from passives. The Diablo 4 and Diablo 2 iterations of the class have a lot in common in terms of skills so you should feel comfortable with this class here.
• The Druid - This is a versatile class in the game. You can rely on summons and become a caster-type class. You can choose to focus on Reforms and deal heavy damage upfront. Along with the Assassin, the Druid is one of the classes introduced in the Lord of Destruction DLC.
• The Necromancer - This class is going to feel very familiar to you if you've used the Necromancer in Diablo 4. The Necromancer can also use Bone and Poison spells. It's one of the caster classes in the game but in Diablo 2, the Necromancer is at home alongside his army of minions.
• The Paladin - Many consider the Paladin as the best class in Diablo 2. It's a full-frontal type of class that can deal amazing damage with its weapons. Other than that, however, The Paladin can use a variety of spells and Holy magic under his command. The Paladin is unlike any other class in Diablo 4 so it's worth giving this class a shot.
• The Sorceress - If you want to go all out with magic spells, then the Sorceress class is for you. With her range of lightning, fire, and ice spells, this class is the perfect class for those who want to solely focus on dealing damage from afar.

Some of the classes in Diablo 2 will feel very familiar if you've been playing Diablo 4 for a while. Still, the overall feel of the classes and the game they revolve in will result in an entirely fresh experience for you.

Possibly The Best Story In Diablo

The story of all Diablo games typically revolves around the struggle between the forces of Heaven and the Forces of Hell. However, none of the other games tell that story better than Diablo 2 and its DLC, Lord of Destruction. Even if you haven't played any of the Diablo games before, the game's story pretty much stands on its own.

The tale unfurls following the initial "Diablo" events. Tristram, a town of tranquility, now lies in shambles due to Diablo's malevolent influence. A mysterious traveler, tainted by the dominant malevolence, embarks on a mission to liberate his kin, Baal and Mephisto, in a perverse endeavor to unleash chaos upon the realm of mortals.

The journey for the participant commences along the enigmatic path of the Dark Wanderer, unveiling the devastation and disorder trailing in their wake. The protagonist shoulders the burden of confronting infernal underlings and thwarting the heinous machinations from materializing. The chronicle escorts the player through four acts, each presenting distinct milieus and trials.

Within "Diablo II," the storyline is intricately interwoven, narrating a saga of maleficence, salvation, and valor in a realm imperiled by ineffable malevolence. The captivating narrative of the game, intermingled with its engrossing gameplay and evocative environment, has cemented its status as a cherished masterpiece within the action RPG domain, leaving an enduring imprint on players and the gaming sector at large.

The story is told through amazing dialogue, superb voice acting and great FMV cutscenes which have been remade for the game by the way. The result is a narrative that keeps you coming back for more and more. When you finally reach the Lord of Destruction DLC, you'll discover an even better story that lies ahead.

The Definitive Edition Of One Of The Best RPGs From The 2000s

Perhaps the most important reason to play Diablo 2: Resurrected is that it's easily one of the best RPGs from the 2000s. Partner that with the fact that the game features a lot of new-gen upgrades and you've got a combination that you can never go wrong with. The base version of Diablo 2 was good enough already but Resurrected dials things up to new levels.

The game comes packed with the Lord of Destruction DLC. In total, you're looking at a campaign that lasts around 50-60 hours, compared to Diablo 4's 40-ish campaign. If you want to 100% the game, that's over 300 hours worth of things to do. Resurrected is the definitive edition of Diablo 2, making it the best way to play the classic RPG right now.

This might just be the only reason you'll ever need to play Diablo 2: Resurrected. You've got a marvelous campaign, a memorable story, a balanced progression system, and so much more. If Diablo 4 isn't up your alley, then the simpler but more single-player-focused take with Diablo 2 might just be what you're after.

In truth, the only edge that Diablo 4 might have on Diablo 2: Resurrected are the graphics and visuals. Overall, however, Diablo 2: Resurrected features a charm unlike any other. Whether you're a fan of the classics or you just want to try something new, this is definitely a game that you'd want to experience at least once.

A Grand Adventure Awaits

Diablo 2: Resurrected is one of the better releases of 2021. Depending on who you ask, it might even be the best Diablo game out there right now. There are more than 5 reasons to play the game but the bottom line is, it's the best alternative to Diablo 4. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, then you should definitely get Diablo 2: Resurrected.