It’s official: Diablo 4 is coming. The new installment in the monstrously popular action RPG series was announced at Blizzcon 2019, and fans have been eagerly awaiting more details since. There’s a lot to be excited about - the gameplay details look amazing, we’re promised an interesting choice of classes and a gigantic world. While release date info is scarce, Blizzard has given fans quite a lot to be excited about.
Many fans found themselves disillusioned with Diablo 3 long after its release, though Blizzard made numerous improvements to the game. Fortunately, the Diablo 4 gameplay details revealed thus far show a dedication to not repeating the same mistakes. This means a return to many of the same things that made the second installment in the series such a major success, as well as the addition of other exciting new features.
While much was revealed at Blizzcon, many details are yet unknown. However, for a game that may not release for a long time, there is a wealth of information at our fingertips related to what classes will be in the game, what new and returning features exist, and what definitely won’t be coming back in Diablo 4.
Diablo 4 Release Date Info
Blizzard has yet to announce an official release date for Diablo 4. Asked about the Diablo 4 release date at Blizzcon, game director Luis Barriga explained that “a game of this scope takes time.” As such, it won’t be “coming out soon - not even Blizzard soon.” Barriga’s willingness to joke about Blizzard’s traditionally inventive use of the word “soon” is enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face, but the harsh reality that fans have longer to wait does the opposite.
While Blizzard hasn’t provided a window for the Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 3 was announced in 2008. It did not release until 2012. If this timeline is an indicator, we can possibly expect Diablo 4 sometime around 2022 or 2023. Despite this likely far-out release date, Diablo 4 is planned for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Diablo 4 Classes
The Barbarian will wield up to four weapons simultaneously, swapping between them based on skill use. The Druid will shift among werewolf, werebear, and human forms. Like the Barbarian with weapon swapping, he or she can shapeshift by using a skill from a particular form. The Sorceress, of course, brings hardcore spellcasting to the table. And, yes, Elective Mode will make a return with talent trees further enhancing the player’s abilities.
Diablo 4 Gameplay
In terms of Diablo 4’s gameplay, fans have a lot to be excited about. First of all, the game will be open world, and it will be massive. Players can expect over 100 towns and villages to litter the five major zones that make up Sanctuary.
Blizzard has decided to do away with Ancient items, powerful versions of Legendary items that gave players added bonuses that many regarded as a source of pointless grinding. Diablo 4 will include new stats: Angelic Power, which buffs beneficial effects, demonic power, which buffs negative effects, and Ancestral Power, which buffs on-hit effects. Also, more affixes will be on each item and some will require a certain amount of each power to activate. Other stats have been simplified, with strength, dexterity, and the like disappearing in favor of Attack and Defense stats. In addition, Runewords make a return, granting powerful conditional effects.
The endgame will focus on collecting dungeon keys, which will convert existing dungeons into more powerful, scalable versions. We will also see the addition of mounts, a replacement for the Paragon system, dedicated PVP zones, and greater penalties for death similar to those seen in games prior to Diablo 3. Microtransactions will be cosmetic and will not impact gameplay.
Diablo 3 was considered by many fans to be a letdown, but Blizzard seems dedicated to not making the same mistake twice. The upcoming game promises the return of some fan-favorite features as well as new ones that will surely enhance the gameplay experience. While the release date is pretty far out according to Blizzard, have patience: it seems it will be handsomely rewarded.
More: The Real Story Behind Diablo 4’s Curious Development
