I started the download a couple of hours before launch to be sure it was done, jumped in at the moment the servers were opened, and…. nothing. At least not Friday evening. It was to be expected that this beta wouldn’t be open due to the demand people have after not having a new game for over eleven (!!) years. Having said that, I think especially Blizzard should have known better. They have always put so much attention into their games; they should’ve figured that a lot of people would want to try out their new title.

Now to the real deal. Despite the issues on the Friday evening run, I managed to start the game on Saturday. I started with the old fashioned Barbarian then played with a Sorceress up till the end of the beta, without maxing her out. Straight away when you encounter the first enemy, you find out that the game has a different way of playing. You already start with a more vicious attack that what I was at least used to in Diablo 2. Where D2 let you play with a normal attack, D3 straight away lets you wield a more powerful attack alongside an attack that drains your ‘mana.’ Instead of having to refill your ‘manapool’ (which consequently has different names and ways of filling up according to your specific class), it remains full or you will fill it during combat. So the only thing you have to worry about is: is it enough to use a spell or attack on someone?

Is this kowtowing to the masses? It is less resource management. Or is it letting you do more of what you are supposed to do in a hack and slash game, namely killing enemies.

You level up your abilities, no longer by putting points into skill, but by selecting a special rune that enhances your ability. When I reached the needed level for the areaslash, I took that one and combined with the first rune that I could equip; the-exploding-on-death-rune, I think, is the best way to describe it. By the power of the High Heavens, damn that smashed through the enemy.

So combat-game-play-wise, Blizzard‘s third version feels great to me. Fast, hard hitting and as fluid as always, even though it’s different. Not only do you level up yourself, but also the blacksmith that will accompany you throughout the game, will level up. Not just with one of the characters, but all your account’s characters are capable of leveling him up. So thats good for your earlier level characters to have a bit more protection in the beginning.

In this short preview I will not spoil plotpoints, but let’s say you will encounter old familiar friends and enemies. The skeletons have risen again and Leoric has a fitful sleep.

There is one thing that I have a critique on though, outside the constant internet connection, which I find bullshit for the game’s singleplayer portion. But my main other gripe, is it’s look. I have no issues with vibrant colours, but this doesn’t look like just vibrant colours. This looks and feels far more cartoony than Diablo has ever been. The characters in D2, even though the world is an impossible world, looked far more realistic in comparison to the latest iteration in the Lord of Terror’s series. It looks way too much like the cartoony vibe that Warcraft 3 had, than like Diablo. Bad move Blizzard. Does this stop me from playing the game?

Hell no (pun intended). The gameplay, the collecting, and the story are the drive for me in this game. But I really miss the gritty gothic realism from the first two games. It looks like Blizzard isn’t capable of making a gritty real looking 3D game… First Warcraft 3, WoW, now Diablo 3. Only Starcraft remained realistic looking, mostly.

What are your preliminary thoughts on the latest battle between the Burning Hells and the High Heavens?