It is hard to believe that Blizzard’s masterpiece franchiseDiablowas first released in 1997. This means that it has been around 24 years since the first game was built. It is a fact that from the entire series,Diablo 2 & 3are the most talked about games from the series. With the upcoming release ofDiablo IV & Immortal,it is high time to figure out which one of the two most famous video games is genuinely the greatest.
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What are the most common aspects of these games that are genuinely unmatched by each other? Which game is better when directly compared against each other? DoesDiablo 2withstand the test of time? Or didDiablo 3necessarily modernize the series?
Updated on January 5th, 2022 by Hodey Johns:Now that players have had some time to get comfortable with Diablo 2: Resurrected, it felt like a good time to analyze this age-old battle again. The opinions since this original list was released have changed quite a bit within the community. It turns out there were several parts of Diablo 2 that were missed for the sake of nostalgia but a replay of the game showed that these elements did not age as well as fans hoped they might. However, other parts of the game were taken for granted, and playing it again made gamers wish that more had been incorporated into Diablo 3.
12Music & Audio - Diablo 3
Diablo 2’s musical style can be described as ambient. This is, after all, a game that wants to be played, so it makes sense that the soundtrack is not stealing the show. The sound effects can be repetitive; the dull click of connected attacks and grunting of enemies can occasionally sound like the audio got stuck to a passing listener.
The third game in the series improves on all of this. The music is still a backdrop, but it’s got much more happening in terms of notes and richness. And the sound systems are completely improved, complete with direction cues and fades that the second game lacked.
11Art Style - Diablo 2
The art style in video games will always be subjective. The second game was released all the way back in 2000, and the third game was released in 2012. This means the two were inspired by the style of similar games of those years and are incredibly different in their approach. Here,Diablo 3is colorful and shiny, whileDiablo 2is gritty and dark. However, there’s something eerie about how the second game looks, which gives it a better visual aesthetic when it comes to battling the minions of hell.
10Graphics - Diablo 3
This is relatively an easy one. Most modern games released by such famous publishers will always look better than its predecessor. Whether it is Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft, or EA, their newer games are bound to look better than the older ones. The same is true for Blizzard, asDiablo 3is the best one for graphics and features.
It’s more than just the graphics being “good” though. Even with a fresh coat of paint, pillars can get in the way and enemy types can blend together inDiablo 2. The projectiles were also too small and staggered against the framerate. Too often players willlook for the Viper Claw Templeand find that the entrance was stuck behind a tree or a house.
9Expansion Packs - Diablo 2
A great expansion pack is something that people remember for years and years to come.Diablo 3: Reaper of Soulswas no slouch, creating a new final boss that is impossible to forget and adding the Crusader class to the mix.
Diablo 2offersLord Of Destruction. The pack has two new character classes and an additional act to play. It also revamped the multiplayer aspect of the game and madeplaying with friendsrelevant again.Diablo 2 LODis still talked about with reverence, which certainly tells how important it is to the game.
8Controls - Diablo 3
Perhaps the biggest disappointment withDiablo 2: Resurrectedwas how badly the controls aged. The movement was clunky at best. Casting spells without a toolbar (later added in a patch) was something that should have never been attempted. And good luck with potion management.
Diablo 3,on the other hand,is made to work on PC as well as consoles. This means it offers a set of controls that are perfect for hack and slash games and a controller. This makes it a diverse game title when it comes to the controls, making it user-friendly.
7Gameplay - Diablo 3
Diablo 2must get the credit it deserves when it comes to innovating upon the gameplay of the time. It earned its place as one of the best dungeon crawlers around with innovation and hard work. But concepts like drinking dozens of potions or spamming the same spells in a big fight hamper the experience and canruin a playthrough.
There is also no denying thatDiablo 3only built upon the groundwork laid byDiablo 2. If this were about originality,Diablo 2would win out. But this is about gameplay and the experience of playingDiablo 3’s combat is smoother, more fun, and dynamic during the big moments.
6Secrets - Tie
The first time anyone discovers the secret cow level inDiablo 2is a magical experience. Similarly,Diablo 3’sWhimsyshire is just as abstract as well, giving one of a kind experience to whoever is playing the game. There are many other hidden easter eggs throughout both the games, making this category a tie.
5Story - Diablo 2
To be kind, the story inDiablo 3fell on its face. This list will refrain from spoilers, but many of the characters deserved better and the new cast will likely be forgotten when Diablo IV comes around. At least, those interested in preserving the franchise will hope that the new characters are left forgotten.
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Many people still praise the second game for the way it was executed. Every act’s music speaks the story’s tone, the missions feel personal, and bosses feel like an actual threat. While the third game delivers, it’s not on the level ofDiablo 2.
4Multiplayer - Diablo 3
Both the games have great multiplayer options.Diablo 2’s multiplayer was tacked on and badly imbalanced. Even in co-op, farming was a snoozefest of advanced players porting with theircritical endgame itemsclearing everything out when other players waited around.
The reasonDiablo 3has an edge in this department is because of the technical aspects. The second title couldn’t compare to the modern-day title in terms of network features.Diablo 3’smultiplayer is user-friendly, fluid, and sensibly balanced.
3Characters - Tie
Diablo 3offers seven main characters, andDiablo 2offers the same as well. The second game includes the Amazon, Barbarian, Necromancer, Paladin, Sorceress, Assassin, and Druid. On the other hand, the third game has Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Wizard, Monk, Demon Hunter, Crusader, and Necromancer.
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The tiebreaker would be if one game’s classes badly outshined the other. But this never happens.The discrepancy in classes inDiablo 3is similar to the differences inDiablo 2and fans should hope that all of the classes from both games are included in the next title.
