Diablo IV – See You in Hell on June 6

It’s been a long time between rifts since Diablo III first launched back in May 2012. I can still remember the hype that all my friends had as we rushed home from work/uni to jump into Sanctuary for the very first time. A lot has changed since then both in gaming but also for the Diablo series, and not all for the better. Diablo II: Resurrected was a good hit of nostalgia, and while Diablo Immortal was good to scratch the aRPG itch, the monetisation and mobile interface meant I didn’t last long. One thing I can tell you though is that I am super pumped for the release of Diablo IV this June. The game will feature cross-platform play and progression on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, plus couch co-op on consoles at launch. As long as lessons have been learned by Blizzard regarding monetisation, I think we’re going to be in for a hot wild ride.

“We are excited to soon be opening the gates to our most brutal vision of Sanctuary yet with Diablo IV,” said Rod Fergusson, general manager of Diablo. “We are bringing the darkness of the original game, fusing it with the progression elements of Diablo II and the visceral combat of Diablo III, culminating in the vast, active overworld of Diablo IV, which has been built to be supported for years to come. Players will have more choices than ever before as they battle unspeakable horrors, explore dungeons, collect Legendary loot, and uncover what the return of Lilith, the Blessed Mother, means for the world of Sanctuary.”

The demon Lilith and the angel Inarius united to create the world of Sanctuary in their desire to escape the Eternal Conflict between Heaven and Hell. But now, decades after the events of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, they are bitter enemies who have resorted to war against each other with their respective followers. The lands of Sanctuary have become plagued with ceaseless demons, and only the most steadfast of heroes will be able to hold in the face of darkness. Players will enter the world with their choice of five classes—the shapeshifting Druids, agile Rogues, elemental Sorceresses, brutal Barbarians, and cunning Necromancers. As players grow in power, they can build their gameplay experience in directions that appeal to them, experimenting with skill trees to showcase complimenting spells and abilities. 

Debuting in the Diablo universe is an expansive overworld. Players will drive back the demons of Hell across the diverse zones of Sanctuary—the snow-frosted forests of Fractured Peaks, the windswept highlands of Scosglen, the festering swamps of Hawezar, the barren wastelands of the Dry Steppes, and the deserts of Kehjistan, home to the central city of Caldeum. The non-linear experience consists of a captivatingly epic story, over 140 dungeons, side-quests, and a plethora of loot. Mighty World Bosses will emerge, taunting players to defeat them in groups for a chance at their spoils, and Strongholds stand in wait for heroic adventurers to claim once again for the citizens of Sanctuary.

Also advancing the world-class ARPG experience is a robust end-game system, where players will continue to grow in power as they take on a medley of challenges. There’s the grueling Helltide, a regularly occurring event that brings a surge in demonic activity to Sanctuary, new ferocious and particularly challenging Nightmare Dungeons, an updated Paragon Board system to continue customizing heroes to new heights of power, Whispers of the Dead which grant Legendary rewards for selected world bounties, and Fields of Hatred offer designated grounds for building PvP renown.

Diablo IV is available for digital pre-purchase as a Standard edition ($109.95), Deluxe edition ($139.95), and Ultimate edition ($154.95). As you can see, even the entry level standard edition is over $100 and took some negotiations with my chief financial controller (wife) to get the pre-order done. Each digital edition includes one or more items to enlist against the Hellspawn that plague Sanctuary:

• Standard Edition: Includes Open Beta Early Access, the Light Bearer Mount in Diablo IV, the Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo III, the Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft, and the Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal
• Deluxe Edition: Includes everything in the Standard edition, plus up to 4 days Early Access to Diablo IV’s Launch, and Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo IV, the Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor in Diablo IV, and the Temptation Mount in Diablo IV.
• Ultimate Edition: Includes everything in the Deluxe edition, plus an Accelerated Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo IV (a Premium Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock plus 20 Tier Skips and a cosmetic), and the Wings of the Creator Emote in Diablo IV.

Keep up to date with all things Diablo IV over at the official website and bring on June 6!

#roundtablecoop