Unread postby jgkitarel » May 17th, 2012, 5:27 pm
Unfortunately, I haven't played Nox, so I wouldn't be able to use it as a frame of reference. I've been a fan of Diablo since the first game, so I would get this game.
Anyway, a down and dirty review.
Graphics: 8.5/10
The graphics are good, very good, but not exceptional. Blizzard is often willing to trade some graphics quality in order to get the game to as many systems as they can. However, they also do extensive work on the graphics so that the lower quality is not as apparent. Considering that it is in a top-down third person view in a fantasy environment, some of the better aspects of the graphics are toned down. However, Blizzard also pays attention to detail so that the environments are well done.
Music: 8/10
The music is appropriately dark themed and fits the environments.
Story: 9/10
Generally well done, with lots of lore which comes out to allow thos to familiarize themselves with the world of Diablo without needing to play the first two games. They've managed to avoid major plot holes in the story for those familiar with the rest of the lore without having to really retcon anything.
Gameplay: 9/10
The interface is simple and easy to learn. 4 action keys, plus your mouse buttons involve all the action commands. As you progress your skills become more and more customizable so that you can tailor them to your wishes and the combat is quick, fast and brutal. Being in real time, things can get hectic real fast in a fight. The bosses are epic confrontations, each with their own mechanics. For those who want a real challenge, once you get a character to level 10, you can go into hardcore mode, which is very risky, as a character death there is permanent and will wipe out hours of work if a fight goes wrong.
Replayability: 11/10
This is Diablo, the game is based around replayability. The dungeons are random, though the world outside of them is somewhat static. Dungeon locations are somewhat randomized for every area on each session of play. One day you can hit a zone and go itno a dungeon which can be breezed through quickly only to hit a similar dungeon the next day in the same zone which can take you over an hour to fully explore. The zones also have events, some which are simple slugfests to timed dungeon runs through hordes of monsters, many which can be elite or rare (making you want to fight them, though doing so can cost you meeting the event's objective). After you beat the game, the next difficulty opens up for that character, with the enemy levels upgraded and the gear drops also upgraded to match.
Also, I have to punch you, jgkitarel, because I spent a lot of time on the nanoha wiki trying to locate information on mages being trained due to being above a certain rank, only to remember and confirm that you were the one that came up with that. - Phht
Don't forget: Mass Effect is powered by magic space rocks. Evangelion is powered by Your Mom.
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Long Night of the Harvest
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Mystic Knight Online