Much of the praise forDiablo 4has come from the fact that it shares many similarities with the fan-favoriteDiablo 2, but some players may have overlooked the features that have returned fromDiablo 3. AlthoughDiablo 3is arguably the most controversial entry in the series, it did introduce some ideas that developer Blizzard preserved forDiablo 4. WhileDiablo 2many have served as the main inspiration forDiablo 4, for better or for worse, it’s clear there is still a degree ofDiablo 3’s DNA baked into the design of this latest entry.
Many players were disappointed with the release ofDiablo 3as it shed popular elements fromDiablo 2such as the darker art style and more compelling story. WhileDiablo 3was billed as more accessible to new players as it was the first time the series hit home consoles and offered improved control schemes, many hardcore fans felt it was a downgrade from its predecessor as a result. Blizzard seems to have taken these criticisms into consideration when developingDiablo 4, carrying over features from bothDiablo 2andDiablo 3to the game.
RELATED:Every Diablo 2 Feature That Returned in Diablo 4
Paragon System
One popular feature introduced inDiablo 3was the Paragon system that comprised much of the endgame build progression. This system let players earn a point for each level they reach beyond level 60 that could be spent to increase a stat under one of four categories: Core Stats, Offensive, Defensive, and Utility, with no cap on Paragon levels.Diablo 4’s version of the Paragon systemintroduces Paragon Boards where players earn points once they reach level 50 that can be spent to unlock adjacent tiles with various stat-increasing effects, maxing out at 220 total Paragon points.
Transmogs
Another important customization feature introduced in the Reaper of Souls expansion forDiablo 3was the transmog system that allowed players to change the appearance of their gear while maintaining its stats. Players could dye their gear or even give it a legendary appearance for a price by talking to the Mystic Artisan. Thetransmog feature returns inDiablo 4, but is overhauled to allow players to salvage unwanted items by visiting the Blacksmith, which then unlocks the ability to change the appearance of a piece of equipment to match that salvaged item by visiting a wardrobe.
Simplified Item Storage
In the name of inventory management simplification,Diablo 3overhauled the item storage system fromDiablo 2to make it much more user-friendly. Rather than having players organize their inventory based on a grid system with different items taking up different amounts of space,Diablo 3changed all items to be the same size within the inventory and allowed some items like gems to be stacked in high quantities.Diablo 4’s inventory UImay be reminiscent ofDiablo 2’s, but it maintains the same one-size-fits-all approach to items asDiablo 3in order to streamline item acquisition.
Legendary Items
Legendary quality items debuted inDiablo 3as a replacement forDiablo 2’s uniques, to the disdain of many treasure hunters. However,Diablo 4offers the best of both worlds as bothDiablo 3’s legendary items andDiablo 2’s unique items are now both present in the game. While legendary is no longer the rarest quality like it was inDiablo 3, it’s still great to seelegendaries return toDiablo 4in some capacity.
Always Online Requirement
Not all returning features fromDiablo 3are positive gains forDiablo 4as is demonstrated by the return ofDiablo 3’s controversial always online requirement. One element maligned byDiablo 3players was the need to constantly be connected to the game’s servers to play, even while playing solo.Diablo 4repeats this mistake, which has already caused problems for players during server outages.
Diablo 4is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
