Diablo II: Lord of Destruction

"The single players OK, its the online multi-player thats so addicting!"

If your going to get this game for the single player, you really wouldn't have bought what you would have expected. The single player in my opinion is dope. Its just not the same! So, if you have a fast connection then this games great!

Concept/Gameplay
Basically what you are doing is killing demons to gain levels. Levels equal more power. Once you got the power, you get to take on Baal, the lord of destruction and the third of the prime evils. But you know, that was just a very brief summary of any old rpg.

Okay, in this game there are seven different characters; sorceress, amazon, barbarian, necromancer, paladin, assassin, and the druid. They each have a unique style in battle, skills, weapons ect. They are all good in a way also. Here is a brief description of each class.

Sorceress: Mainly uses spells to defeat their enemies. Prefers staffs and orbs and is skilled in fire, ice, and lightning spells.

amazon: A far ranged rogue. Should use bows, crossbows, javelins, and pikes. Skilled in some magic, bow, and javelin skills.

Barbarian: A close combat warlike person. He prefers any type of weapon and can use two at a time. He is skilled in warcries, combat masteries, and combat skills.

necromancer: Some people think hes half skeleton. He uses wands and freaky zombie helmets. He is skilled in poison and bone, summoning, and curses.

paladin: A holy knight. He is skilled in offensive auras, defensive auras, combat skills.

Assassin: A lethal killer that fills in with the shadows. Almost like a ninja. Uses claws and is skilled in traps, shadow, and martial arts skills.

Druid: A shapeshifting kind of dude, he uses the power of nature to eliminate his enemies. He is skilled in shapeshifting, summoning, and nature skills.

Once you choose your character you begin your quest by pursuing lots of side quests to help you guide your way toward your main destination. You also have stat points. There are four main stat points; strength, dexterity, vitality, and energy. The more points you have into that ability the more better you will get with that ability. There are some characters where you should put different points into different stats which adds more strategy to the game.

Each level up you get to invest five points into any stats and one points into any skill in the characters skill tree. As you progress you will get stronger and eventually get to invest points into some of the greater skills. Also, some of the weapons have required stats in order to use them.

What is also what I thought that was really cool is the experience meter. It shows how much more experience you need to gain a new level. Then there is also many other things of diablo. I think this game has a LOT of variety.

Difficulty
There are three different difficulties to choose from. Normal, nightmare, and hell. It will take you a while to finally get through it all but after that there is still a lot to do. Basically though, as you run through your quests there will be monsters scattered around your area. Each monster has a unique style to it. Some will approach you with caution, others will pop out at you. There are many monsters in the world of Diablo.

Graphics
The graphics are great for most computers. Really though, it depends on your video driver. Another thing that would be good to not is that the expansion now comes with a new option. It lets you switch in game what you want your resolution to be out of 800x600 or 640x800. One of them is more of a perspective view.

Music/Sound
I love the music and sound. Especially the new ones from the expansion. Everything seems pretty real and also, when talking to the people they really talk! You can choose what to talk to them about also, like ''gossip,'' or like, ''what happend here?'' You know, the usual talk.

As for the music. The music is very great and there is a lot of music throughout the whole game that match each and every scene. There is no problem with the sound!

Replay
As this is never ending. Yes, you kill Baal, but thats not it. After you kill the beast the game doesn't end. There are still lots of things to do. Like finding good items, making new characters and rushing them, rushing others for stuff, gaining more levels and even making it to level 99, ect. Thats why I give the replay a nine.

Overall Conclusion
I give this game a nine because it just is so great. The thing I've found out about the people who just hate this game is because they don't play it enough. You got to really get into it to love it to death. You know? But then again, this game isnt for everyone. Some peeps just hate these kind of games.

Rent or Buy: If you rent it you will get bored of it but if you buy it you will have it for a while and love it. Trust me you will. You just got to really keep at it. Once you start killing Baal around when your on nightmare mode you'll like it. Thats it for me, I'm out.

STATS
Gameplay : 9
Music/Sound: 10
Replay : 9
Tilt : >great game!
OVERALL : 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/05/02, Updated 08/17/02