Diablo IV

Our analysis

A stunning, enormous return to Sanctuary defined by its sheer scale, gorgeous art and sound design, and the franchise's best-ever storytelling centered on a nuanced Lilith. The flip side is a lack of innovation and an over-designed feel: aggressive level scaling robs loot of impact, itemization is homogenized, and crafting plus restrictive skill trees push you into narrow builds. As a campaign and a live-service starting point it's well worth experiencing, even if it doesn't reinvent the genre.

Our analysis

An excellent, addictive action RPG with snappy, bite-sized gameplay, deep and flexible build customization via free respecs, and seamless cross-play and cross-progression. The story, anchored by the compelling villain Lilith, is the best in the series even if it tapers off and underuses her, and the presentation and audio are top-notch. Blemishes are increasing connection lag in an always-online game and a ridiculously overpriced cosmetic storefront. Highly recommended.

Our analysis

A good but not spectacular entry whose darker, bleaker world, detailed interiors, and especially its strongholds are real highlights, alongside rewarding Renown exploration and deep endgame progression. The core combat is the major weak point, feeling fine but unchanged from its predecessor, with repetitive enemies, predictable bosses, and reskinned tanks. Promising enough to sink hundreds of hours into, yet the neglected heart of slaughtering enemies holds it back.

Our analysis

Possibly the best Diablo yet, with the most dynamic combat in the series and a gorgeous, immersive open world that rewards exploration. The enormous endgame (Hell Tides, nightmare dungeons, bounties) delivers well over a hundred hours of value at a fair price. The story is told well but feels underwhelming and incomplete next to past entries, and server-side rubber-banding and lag are a real concern.

Our analysis

An impressive, immediately engaging entry that feels more exciting than its predecessor, with a massive open world dripping with atmosphere, top-notch presentation, and a compelling story accessible to newcomers. The combat, leveling, loot, and skill trees are solid and satisfying, tapping into that addictive Diablo loop. Some side quests are dull and the cosmetic shop is unwelcome, but early impressions strongly point to checking it out.

Our analysis

A standard-bearer for action RPGs that masterfully refines the formula from its predecessors, pairing its most engrossing story yet, anchored by a layered antagonist in Lilith, with a flexible branching skill tree and a large interconnected world. Combat is a highlight and the campaign is excellent, though common dungeon bosses lack the complexity of story encounters. A confident, lasting entry in the franchise.

Our analysis

A mindless, ultra-addictive grind disguised as a complete game. The combat is brain-dead, endgame becomes a repetitive loop lasting dozens of hours, multiplayer is isolating with no trading or communication, and the game is riddled with performance issues and bugs.