So, Diablo 3

[Prpl_Mage]

Maybe it would've been a better idea to post this while it was actually happening and not afterwards but whatever.

The wizard class lived up to every expectation. I blew **** to bits with magic.
The barbarian class lived up to expectations. I hacked **** to bits with shiny weapons.

I don't get why people have been giving this game so much critique before it's even launched. I had a blast with it, hell I even replayed the beta just to level up my character and try all the available skills ect.
For those saying that it's too much like WoW. I wish WoW was more like this. It would rock.
For those saying that it's too childish. I saw numerous people impaled to walls or otherwise ripped apart laying around, there wasn't exactly a shortage of dead humans and gore. Sure the equipment icons are smaller and more colourful than D2 and the character's faces can actually be made out this time. But I wouldn't let a 12 year old play it. Hell the moment you get to town it's a bloodbath.

I leveled all classes to 13 beside the witchdoctor, the beta closed before I could finish that. Did everything else though and had a blast.
Anyone else played it?

[Archem]

I only got to play as the Barbarian. Finished the Act, didn't max my level. It was fun. I have minor nitpicks, but overall, I quite enjoyed it. Some streamlining occurred, and I approved of most of it. As I've stated before, I am quite happy with the change in how Town Portals work. The skill tree is something I would have preferred to see unchanged, but I'll get used to this one. The new hotbar is great (thanks WoW. Something I never thought I'd say with sincerity), and combat is fun. It's faster-paced, and it seems that you can no longer miss, so larger mobs have come into play. It certainly makes the game feel more action-packed, but it manages to do so without sacrificing the feel of the old games. The sound and music is right on, so that's cool. Actually, I would have preferred dungeon music a bit more like D1, but that's a preference thing. I'm not as disappointed with the new art direction as I was in the past (changes since then make it easier to accept), but I would still appreciate the darker mood from the past (and I'll never be happy without the ring of light element in play). The change-up of combat for the mouse (left click/right click) is pretty cool, but the fact that I can't just hotkey/quick-toggle some actions is a little bothersome. I suppose there's a reason behind it, but I don't care.

[Razor]

Yeah I played the closed beta months ago and though I had the opportunity to play longer, I didn't. Something just failed to hook me.

But having played it on the weekend I found it a lot more enjoyable. Sure the art-style is still a bit too WoW for my tastes, but that's about the only point of contention. I leveled up all the classes to 13, mainly so I could get that one achievement which I hope carries over, but I enjoyed my time while doing so. I know it's only part of the first act, but I felt like it was more Diablo 1 than Diablo 2, mainly since most of the time was spent underground instead of open fields and deserts and forests. That'll no doubt change in the full game, but Act 1 looks appropriately very Diablo 1. I also though the music was pretty close to D1 as well.

And all the references. They haven't forgotten the first game, what with Leoric and Lachdanan and Lazarus and Albrecht and even Sir Gorash! getting mentions all over the board. I totally appreciated that, especially the last one. (Sir Gorash was a super unique Hell Knight you could fight in Hell in D1. Lachdanan was there too, but you did a quest for him instead of fighting him). If they brought back Gharbad the Weak somehow I'd be in nostalgiabonerville. I like that the book dropping noise and the gold dropping noise are lifted straight from Diablo 1, too. That's fanservice right there.

Other than the art the only other problem I had was the characters! Don't get me wrong, they all look pretty cool and the voices are neat and the skills are fun, but nothing really stood out for me to play as when May 15 comes around. I have no idea what to use first!

[Archem]

I always tank in these kind of games, so it's pretty obvious who I'll pick. Now I just need to convince my group that it's totally not worth them bothering with my chosen class because it suck and is a handicap for my leet-beta-wizardry.

[Razor]

On the subject of items I'm not sure if it was just because it was the beta, but it looks like this time round you'll only be getting sweet drops from big bosses the first time you kill them. I killed Leoric a zillion times and I only got 1 rare per character, the first time I killed him. Rings and amulets might be pretty rare too, I didn't think they were in the beta at all until I found one (magic, +5 to money or something idr).

THREE WEEKS TO GO.

Am I the only one who got the collector's edition?

[Prpl_Mage]

On the subject of items I'm not sure if it was just because it was the beta, but it looks like this time round you'll only be getting sweet drops from big bosses the first time you kill them. I killed Leoric a zillion times and I only got 1 rare per character, the first time I killed him. Rings and amulets might be pretty rare too, I didn't think they were in the beta at all until I found one (magic, +5 to money or something idr).

THREE WEEKS TO GO.

Am I the only one who got the collector's edition?

Yeah you were guaranteed a rare the first time you killed skeleton king and Rare drops are (like the name suggests) actually rare in this game. I managed to get a rare sickle from Jondar and a rare cudgel from some other elite mod while playing but that's about it.
Hell I've managed not to get any magic items from Leoric or other elite mods. Sad blacksmith who can turn it into essences.

The topmost shop sold 2 random rings each game, but I suppose that rings and necklaces come later or are simply hard to find or perhaps even crafted by that one other artisan.

Add yeah I bet you're the only one getting the collectors edition. It was far to expensive for my taste. I mean, sure that you throw out some extra cash for a collectors edition but the collectors edition was like twice the price. Yes you got an art book, a t shirt, a diablo head-USB drive with both previous games ect. But that price.

[Archem]

I got three rare drops, but they were all quivers. I was a Barbarian. Go figure.

[Archem]

Actually, it's just DII and LoD.

[Razor]

Like harp music?

[Ben]

but did you PAY for it?

[Archem]

HaHA!

[Prpl_Mage]

Just realised that there's only 11 days left to the game now. How many got it pre-ordered? Also, anyone going to one of those release parties on the 14th? Or is that strictly for the serious fanbase?

Also, just read that we're gonna be allowed to play cross realm (without the real money AH, which really doesn't affect much). So who knows, there might just be a charas crew getting out into the monster infested sanctuary.

[Archem]

I want it, but I don't know if it's in the budget. Also, I'm still a bit worried about the always-online ****. I had a handful of disconnects, unable to connects, and lag in-game caused by the required connection to BNet servers. And I was playing solo. I'm afraid of how it'll be just trying to log in during the early days.

[Razor]

I got it preordered. It'll be delivered on the 15th if all goes well. I'll get the game, and then I get to wait until 5pm local time to actually play it.

That sounds horrible, but I'll have the time to go through all my Col Ed ****. It'll be great.

Also on a Diablo note, I got the Book of Cain as a late birthday gift! It is great.

[drenrin2120]

My friend's been bugging me about this. I might actually get it. That'll make it the first game I've bought in over a year and the first MMO I've ever bought. Not big on MMOs as you can see.