It's clear that people still hold Diablo 2 in high regard, especially after Blizzard Entertainment's announcement regarding the remake/remaster, called Diablo 2: Resurrected. After all, Diablo 2 is often hailed as the title that catalyzed the popularity of isometric ARPGs. It's so iconic that many would gladly sacrifice the existence of Diablo 3 just to have an update of Diablo 2.

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For many, Diablo 3 didn't exactly capture the spirit of the series. Coming from Diablo 2, hardcore fans were understandably disappointed by the third game. Too bad some of them are often vague as to how an older game running on an 800x600 resolution is better than a 1080p title with fully-3D graphics. So, as Diablo fans, we're here to evaluate what exactly makes Diablo 2 better than Diablo 3.

10 Darker, More Oppressive Atmosphere

Baal-sanitarium

A quick side-by-side gameplay comparison of the two games, or even their cinematics can show just how much Diablo 3 has veered off from the gothic horror aesthetics. For some, Diablo 3 might even look generic with less intimidating demons and less menacing characters.

Even the story and dialogue are notably darker in Diablo 2. Diablo 2's cinematics and presentation, for example, focused on mystery and suspense, letting the player's imaginations run wild and inspired. Meanwhile, Diablo 3 spoon-feeds the narrative to the players, making it feel less like it's their story and that they're just tagging along with Leah.

9 More Complex Mechanics

Diablo 2
via SA Gamer
Diablo 2

The biggest complaint that Diablo 2 fans keep parroting for Diablo 3 is that it's too simple and streamlined. Diablo 2 was difficult and challenging, making players think of solutions to difficult bosses and even come up with creative builds.

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The more complicated skill tree and the differences in item variety ensured that making your character isn't just an experience but also a puzzle. Compare that with Diablo 3's 1-2 builds available for each class with gear that gets handed out like coupons.

8 Wider Gameplay Variety

Diablo 2 - Second Expansion Could Have Given Us MMO
Diablo 2 - Second Expansion Could Have Given Us MMO

Speaking of variety, the many ways to build your character in Diablo 2 really lent the game a deeper meaning in its progression system. Players can make a character that's completely their own down to the last stat combination.

Additionally, they can also make some builds like the Amazon Lightning Javelin that can one-shot the entire game with just a cracked weapon. The mechanics of Diablo 2 allowed for crazy combinations that reflect the player's creativity and resourcefulness.

7 More Hardcore

Diablo 2
via Amazon
Diablo 2

One might even say that Blizzard over-streamlined Diablo 3 to the point where it doesn't even feel like a Diablo game anymore. Potions were removed in favor of passive skill-building and shops were rendered useless by frequent rare item drops.

In the end, players were left with nothing more to do or worry about other than doing Rift runs ad infinitum. The layers of strategizing were removed, making the game so much easier. The result is less emotional and psychological reward since it's an easier game than Diablo 2.

6 More Iconic Music

diablo 2 tristram

In addition to having a lighter atmosphere, Diablo 3 lacked something that made Diablo 2 distinct: the unforgettable music. Diablo 2's composers utilized simple yet unconventional instruments often not seen in video game music.

That string instrument riff in Tristram remains to this day, Blizzard's most iconic music. Some players even go as far as to mute the music in games like Path of Exile or even Diablo 3 to replace it with the Tristram riff in the background. It lent much to the grim and scary ambience of the setting.

5 Player Trading

An assassin from Diablo 2

Multiplayer in Diablo 2 isn't just limited to helping out another player with a boss run or killing one another in an arena. Player trading also exists and while that has become a messy affair thanks to scammers, cheaters, and bots, the original intention was commendable when it works.

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Diablo 3 removed this player-to-player interaction completely and made it so that the developers controlled the multiplayer economy. Yes, it's less chaotic that way, but it resulted in an in-game auction house which is one of the more reviled features in Diablo 3.

4 No Auction House

diablo 3 image 1
Via: youtube.com (Genzo1642)

While on the topic of the auction house in Diablo 3, it wouldn't be fair to lambast the game for it since it corrected its mistake but the repercussions were far-reaching. Since the auction house was removed, the rare item drops were boosted and they became more abundant and less rewarding.

Diablo 2 stuck to its hardcore RNG roulette and made the game more gratifying for those who work hard for their loot. To that end, Diablo 2 wasn't pay-to-win at the time of its release, unlike how Diablo 3 nearly ruined its reputation as a loot-based ARPG.

3 More Rewarding Grinding

diablo 2 loot

In conjunction with not having an auction house that had reverberating effects on the loot table even in its absence, Diablo 2's loot is more fulfilling. It had enough balance between scarcity and generosity where the rarest items don't get handed out in multiple amounts by bosses, unlike Diablo 3.

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This can turn off some casual or impatient players, making Diablo 2's fanbase somewhat more mature or devoted. As it is, getting what you want in abundance and easier in Diablo 3 can make it boring in the long run. That's what happens when a game caters to relatively instant gratification.

2 Better Replayability

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Diablo 2 having deeper gameplay, harsher randomization, and more character builds lends much to its replayability. It's a game you can play over and over again and expect to have different results even if you try to replicate a character due to loot RNG.

In Diablo 3, it's easy to keep up and imitate the top build where pretty soon after reaching the endgame which is Rifts, it's easy to become like everyone else. Diablo 2's loot treadmill alone is enough to keep players coming back for that chance to get the item they want.

1 Serious Art Style

The class selection screen for Diablo 2

Blizzard isn't exactly known for its bleak art. In fact, most of its games' in-game graphics look cartoonish which is why the first two Diablo games felt special. It's mature territory for them and the first two Diablo games felt like they dipped into the horror genre often.

This wasn't the case in Diablo 3. The art was a little too vibrant and resembled Warcraft more than Diablo. Even the cinematics themselves appeared tamer and less cryptic or foreboding what with all the lights and the sun. Thankfully, it seems Diablo 4 is looking to dethrone Diablo 2 in terms of atmosphere at the very least.

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