Summary
- Diablo 4 faced challenges at launch but has vastly improved, thanks to fan feedback and updates.
- Season 4 and the Loot Reborn update revitalized gameplay, with increased player engagement and satisfaction being a result of Blizzard's hard work.
- Seasons now match campaign quality, offering rewarding gameplay and a positive upward trajectory. One year after it debuted, Diablo 4 is in an excellent place.
Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo 4 had a lot of heavy lifting to do when it launched on June 6 of last year. Not only was it the Diablo series' first foray into an always-online, live-service model, but consumer perceptions and fan goodwill toward Activision/Blizzard were arguably at an all-time low. After a mostly successful launch for Diablo 4 (despite the odd technical hiccup here and there), the game would release its first season just over a month later on July 20, and player perception of the title quickly shifted from cautious optimism to outright disdain almost overnight. But, on its one year anniversary, Diablo 4 might be in its best state ever.
To its credit, Blizzard Entertainment has continued to work tirelessly on addressing fan feedback regarding Diablo 4's loot, progression systems, endgame, and in-game monetization, resulting in the recent launch of Season 4 seeing thousands of lapsed players returning to Sanctuary. Steam review scores also reflect a course correction for Diablo 4, with the title having recently reached a "Mostly Positive" user score and maintaining a daily average of roughly 25-30k players (and that's without even considering console player counts). Perhaps most importantly, Diablo 4 is inching ever closer to a satisfying endgame, and the changes implemented as part of Season 4 and the Loot Reborn update couldn't have arrived at a more fitting time.
Season 4 and Loot Reborn Are a Perfect First Anniversary Gift for Diablo 4
The launch of Diablo 4's latest season, Season 4, was accompanied by the Loot Reborn update that makes significant overhauls to the loot grind and endgame buildcraft, with both launching simultaneously just ahead of Diablo 4's first anniversary on May 14, 2024.
In addition to the planned first anniversary events for Diablo 4, the title is also in the midst of a dramatic upswing in player engagement and satisfaction thanks to the changes implemented as part of Season 4 and the Loot Reborn update. Most of the new features implemented as part of the update tie in organically with the new content delivered to players as part of Season 4, with a lot of smaller quality-of-life improvements adding up to a cumulative feeling of Diablo 4's endgame and gear customization being the best it's ever been.
Players now have greater agency over customizing and improving their favorite gear thanks to the new Masterworking and Tempering mechanics, as well as a better understanding of which Aspects are most beneficial for their class, loadout, and build. Being able to quickly reference Aspects and save particular rolls for use on future builds streamlines the endgame power curve in a way that Diablo 4 has needed since launch, and its arrival as part of Season 4 just weeks ahead of the game's first anniversary is a case of "better late than never".
Diablo 4's Seasons Are Starting to Catch Up to Its Campaign
Diablo 4's Season 4 might see the game doing a complete turnaround and being the most fun it's been since launch, but it was a bit of an arduous road to get there. One of the main problems with the title's seasonal model was its seemingly throttled progression, with both Season 1 and Season 2 struggling to get the balance right in terms of XP gain and quality loot drops. The end result was that many of Diablo 4's seasonal activities were too much work for too little reward, paling in comparison to the game's excellent campaign.
As of Season 4, though, Diablo 4 is finally seeing its seasonal model catch up to the quality of the campaign mode, giving players a real reason to jump right into crafting a seasonal character and diving into some Helltides. In the year since the launch of Diablo 4, the game has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but the continued persistence and dedication of its player base, as well as the willingness of Blizzard to address fan feedback and listen to those same players, gives hope that the title will only continue on its upward trajectory.
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.
Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.
Expansive Open WorldForge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.
Immersive Character DevelopmentCreate and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.
Legendary Gear, Epic BattlesDiscover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.
Seasons & EventsThe tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.
End Game UndertakingsThere’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Publisher(s)
- Blizzard
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Number of Players
- 1-2 players
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 158.25 GB
- Metascore
- 88
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 players (console only)
