Diablo 4 has now seen its long-awaited release to mixed results. Though accomplished in several respects, many areas of the dungeon-crawler have left fans wanting. They've come to expect more from the Diablo series, and they aren't shy to express their disappointment.
One way they express that disappointment is through a myriad of memes. These online gags lambaste Diablo 4's shortcomings for all to see. However, they also tie into prominent topics throughout pop culture. The humor stems from all over. Sure, the jokes aren't exactly the most mature, but low-brow blows usually generate the most laughs.
6 Looking Back
Many fans of Diablo pine for previous entries. That especially goes for older initiates and hardcore role-players. The systems of Diablo 2, in particular, were far deeper and more challenging. The game also came before the age of microtransactions and other sick trends practiced by Blizzard. Diablo 4 falls victim to several of these flaws.
Because of that, disgruntled devotees likely relate to this meme. Though the shiny new toy beckons, gamers go back to the product that's already proven itself. That tends to happen whenever long-running franchises release a bad or even subpar sequel. To cleanse the palette, fans return to the familiar. This isn't the only Diablo 2 comparison, though.
5 Before & After
Fans have also used the Witcher series to draw a similar parallel. They liken Diablo 2 to Yennefer of Vengerberg, specifically the version from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Then comes the Resurrected edition. It boasts updated graphics, new monsters, DLC, and other bells and whistles to be the definitive version. The meme appropriately illustrates that with the TV portrayal of Yennefer, whose added depth and killer performance are much closer (in some ways, superior) to the original vision. Sadly, that's where the good stuff ends.
The meme then takes a shot at Diablo 4 and its patches. These updates nerfed key aspects of gameplay and earned players' ire. Depicting this downward spiral is the deformed Yennefer--complete with a hunched back, crooked jaw, and dung-stained clothes. It's her appearance from the beginning of the story, which is oddly fitting. The patches feel like several steps backward, so fans take grim satisfaction in calling them out.
4 Lilith for President
Given Lilith's prominence in the marketing, it was only a matter of time before fans made a joke out of it. The usual method is substituting the promo character for a notorious real-life figure. In this case, that figure is Hillary Clinton. Given her corrupt and dangerous reputation--even by the standard of most politicians--her inclusion isn't surprising. Many already associate her with devilish deviousness. That said, the meme could have swapped her out for anyone and still stuck the landing.
Politicians are infamous for their self-serving fibs and skeletons in the closet. Comparing them to the hellish characters in Diablo is obvious yet appropriate. If anything, audiences can empathize with Lilith more than any elected official. At least she has a soul, albeit a rotten one. Political humor may be divisive, but it can also make for some of the funniest gags.
3 Coincidence, Barbie?
Another meme takes a dig at Lilith's marketing, but this is more topical. One of the ads features a shot of her foot--arched as if she's wearing high heels. Ordinarily, this wouldn't draw much attention outside the foot fetish crowd, but it bears a striking resemblance to another ad. The trailer for the Barbie movie shows the titular doll's foot. The position and angle are virtually identical. As a result, fans have tied the two properties together.
Such a connection is equal parts ludicrous and hilarious. The tones couldn't be more different, yet the marketing teams somehow share some sensibilities. It's hysterical to picture these works secretly occupying the same universe. The idea may not even be that farfetched. Barbie is set to usher in an entire franchise of Mattel movies, which some viewers would liken to evil. Given the political controversy surrounding the film since its release, perhaps Barbie does have roots in Hell. The whole topic is probably just a coincidence, but that won't stop the internet from speculating.
2 Look At How They Massacred My Boy!
The aforementioned nerfs spawned enough hatred for multiple memes. The Sorcerer class suffered especially from these downgrades. In their efforts to balance the game, the developers turned what was arguably the best class into the worst.
Falling so far is a tragedy for anyone. Countless players probably had the Sorcerer as their go-to class. They might have poured numerous hours into building their character, thoroughly convinced that they could take on the world. Then, here comes Blizzard to pull the rug out from under them. All of that investment instantly goes down the drain. The situation seems like a sick joke. In the end, players lament the class's current state like how the Godfather mourns his son. Sure, it's not riddled with bullets, but it hurts just as much. At least the debacle yields a few ironic laughs.
1 What Year Is It?
For all its issues, Diablo 4 can still be a massive time sink. The developers stuffed it with optional dungeons and busywork. What's more is that some players might indulge themselves in these activities for some good, old-fashioned grinding. They have to reach that coveted level cap, after all.
However, reaching that cap takes a while in any game. Moreover, it requires tremendous focus and commitment. Players who attempt such a feat are clearly passionate, and that passion may cause them to lose track of time. Doubtless, they'll get their money's worth. Unfortunately, they'll also look and feel as disoriented as Robin Williams emerging from Jumanji. It's a bizarre sensation, but also eye-opening and amusing in retrospect.
Diablo 4 is currently available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.