Review: Diablo IV explained to parents

Diablo 4 featured ecran partage

What parents need to know

Diablo IV is an action-RPG (action role-playing game) video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Diablo series that began in 1996. The game takes place in a dark and gothic medieval-fantasy universe, where players take on the role of heroes who must confront the forces of evil. The game is offered in several editions with prices ranging from $90 to $130 CAD.

In Diablo IV, players can choose between 5 classes, each with unique skills and playstyles. The classes revealed so far are the barbarian, the sorcerer, the thief, the necromancer, and the druid. Players can explore vast and varied areas, fight formidable enemies and bosses, acquire equipment and improve their skills.

The game takes place after the events of Diablo III and focuses on the rise of Lilith, daughter of Mephisto and queen of the succubus, who intends to corrupt the mortal world. Players will have to unite to face this threat and prevent Lilith from achieving her dark designs.

Diablo IV offers a darker, more mature gameplay experience than previous installments in the series, as well as improved graphics and more modern game mechanics. The game was available in Early Access during the weekend of March 17-20, 2023 for people who pre-ordered the game. The Open Beta is scheduled for March 24-27, 2023. The official release of the game is scheduled for June 6, 2023 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

With the seasonal mode and the ability to create many characters, the replayability is almost endless.

* A PC key for Early Access was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes, but this does not influence our opinion of the game.

Details

Release date: 6 June 2023
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Available on: Battle.net PC, Battle.net Mac, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Available format: Physical and digital
Version tested: Battle.net PC

Game genre: Action-RPG
Themes covered: Demons, religion, combat, protection
Duration of the main game/story: To see.
Total time to complete everything: À voir.

Text languages: German, English, Simplified chinese, Traditional chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian,
Voice languages: German, English, Simplified chinese, Traditional chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian,

Number of local players: 2
Number of online players: 10

Level of experience required

Age 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+
Beginners
Intermediate
Experienced

Evaluation

The game is extremely violent. Even walking on the bodies of animals and enemies causes bloody messes.

The game features religious iconography focused on demons and puts the player in situations that can be frightening.

The game features religious iconography focused on demons and puts the player in situations that can be frightening.

There may be slightly suggestive themes and partial nudity.

It is necessary to know how to read in order to fully understand the game mechanics and interactions with merchants. However, it has been announced that all dialogues will be dubbed into all 13 languages.

There may be coarse or suggestive language or threats.

There may be coarse or suggestive language or threats.

This is a very dark game, but the character’s quest is generally positive from a moral point of view.

The difficulty is adapted to the chosen game mode.

It is important to know your controller and keyboard well in order to understand shortcuts quickly. However, no handling of the 3D camera is required, since the game is in isometric view. The game incorporates new shortcuts over the character’s levels, so the player can learn gradually without much difficulty.

It is important to know your controller and keyboard well in order to understand shortcuts quickly. However, no handling of the 3D camera is required, since the game is in isometric view. The game incorporates new shortcuts over the character's levels, so the player can learn gradually without much difficulty.

Acheter le jeu une fois, microtransactions prévues.

Costs may be incurred, such as purchasing an edition that offers exclusive content. Microtransactions will likely be present as well.

Local game modes

None, although a local multiplayer game mode is planned, allowing console players to play on the same screen, up to two players (Couch Co-op). However, internet use is still required, and the game will not be “private”. Also, playing in co-op, online as well as in local mode, allows you to get an XP boost (5% to 10%).

Online Game Modes

Diablo IV is an online game, internet is required for all game modes.

  1. Story mode: Story mode is a traditional game mode in action role-playing games. Players follow the main story and complete quests to progress through the game. They also discover hidden areas and secrets as they explore the game world.
  2. Adventure mode: In this game mode, players are free to explore the game world and complete optional quests. This mode is often used to farm items and to level up before embarking on more difficult quests.
  3. PvP mode (Player vs. Player or PvP): In this game mode, players compete against each other in special arenas. This mode is popular in online games and offers an extra challenge for experienced players.
  4. Hardcore Mode: This game mode offers a more intense gaming experience, with stricter rules. In this mode, if a player’s character dies, they are removed from the game forever, which adds an extra element of risk.
  5. Season pass: This game mode allows players to start the game from scratch, using a new character. Seasons offer unique challenges, such as exclusive rewards and modified game rules.

Expansions/Add-ons (DLC)

No expansions are announced yet, but considering that Diablo II and Diablo III had both benefited from expansions (Lord of Destruction and Reaper of Souls, respectively) that added new stories, playable characters, new enemies, new equipment and new game modes, it is likely that an expansion will be announced after the official release of Diablo IV.

Our opinion

The gaming experience is very pleasant and the cutscenes are beautiful. The graphics are actualized and impressive, and surprisingly well optimized: downloads are fast and the game runs with few latencies, even when fighting many enemies at once. The vibe is reminiscent of the early games in the franchise by featuring optional dialogue with NPCs, which add to the story and our understanding of the game’s universe. There are few major changes, but they are welcome. The open world is larger and more diverse than in previous games in the franchise. Exploration is improved, looking for dungeons, cities and hidden shrines is an added appeal.

New class specific skills and skilltrees are also announced. Combat already seems more dynamic: it is possible to use skills more frequently and have a greater variety of moves, such as dodging and jumping. The loot system is also interesting and offers objects with random properties and variable statistics. The customization of gameplay styles, fighting style and player character appearance adds to the welcome new features.

A PvP or PvP (player vs. player) mode with various arenas is also planned, but could not be tested as part of this article, since the mode was not open to beta.

In short, Diablo 4 promises a more extensive, immersive and customizable gaming experience than previous games in the series. This is a faithful 4th opus and that fans of the franchise will undoubtedly love. However, as the full game is not yet available, other surprises (hopefully positive) are reserved for players for the official release of the game in June 2023. However, it is a rather repetitive game that requires a lot of combat and exploration to increase the level of its character, which could displease players who prefer more linear games and more cerebral quests.

Our rating : 16 / 20

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About Myriam Baulne

Traductrice agréée aussi détentrice d'un DEC en animation 3D et synthèse d'images, Myriam est constamment à la recherche d'opportunités afin d'allier ses passions pour les jeux vidéo, les TTRPG et la rédaction. Armée d'un solide bagage journalistique, elle est outillée pour vous rapporter toute l'actualité et l'information sur vos jeux favoris.

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