Has Blizzard done it yet again? Our Diablo IV review roundup

Diablo IV is the latest in a parade of hit games to hit Xbox so far in 2023 (at just below the halfway point): Dead Space Remake, Hi-Fi Rush, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Minecraft Legends, Street Fighter 6, and more.

The follow-up to 2012’s Diablo III, the fourth mainline entry in Blizzard’s acclaimed action-RPG series has some pretty big shoes to fill. In its endeavor to live up to the considerable reputation the franchise has built up, Diablo IV seems to play it relatively safe in the sense that it doesn’t completely jettison the core Diablo foundation—a wise move, no doubt. Rather, it attempts to refine that foundation and bring a fresh spin to it with a large open world and PVP elements. Does Diablo IV accomplish this successfully? Read our review roundup to see what the critics have to say.

IGN Diablo IV Review (9/10)

Diablo 4 is a stunning sequel with near perfect endgame and progression design that makes it absolutely excruciating to put down…Diablo 4 takes the strategy of refining things the series already did so well rather than giving it a more substantial overhaul, and that careful and reverent path has shaped this massive sequel into one of the most polished ARPGs ever created, which makes slicing through the legions of the damned a hell of a good time.

CNN Diablo IV Review—“Diablo IV is a true return to form for an iconic role-playing series”

Diablo IV should serve as a grand reintroduction to one of the greatest action role-playing series around. It does a great job catering to veterans of the Diablo games while being incredibly accommodating to newcomers. As an added cherry on top, there are also a slew of accessibility options…There’s so much value packed into Diablo IV that players will have a hard time putting it down even after reaching the level cap.

Engadget Diablo IV Review—“A mechanically perfect romp through a shallow world”

In a lot of ways, it’s the Diablo game I’ve been dreaming of ever since I first set foot in the world of Sanctuary back in 1997. But it is also a reminder of all the ways Blizzard has changed since I first encountered its games. There’s no way the company that released Diablo II in 2000 and even Diablo III in 2012 could have created a game of Diablo IV’s scale, but sheer size is not what makes Diablo IV enjoyable. So often, that scale works against the game, resulting in a world that is, as Warren Spector might say, simulated at a level of an inch per mile.

Push Square Diablo IV Review (9/10)

Diablo 4 is the true successor to the bad old days of action RPGs and oozes quality in its frenetic combat and deep, engaging character development. It tells a complex, gritty narrative set in the darkly beautiful world of Sanctuary. Even better, it provides a solid foundation for years of Diablo content to come.

Forbes Diablo IV Review (9./10)

Blizzard really seems like it’s nailed this, and I’m going to say the only way this will be poorly received at launch is if technical issues kill people’s ability to play. But once it gets rolling? Yes, I think you’re going to like Diablo 4.

Fextralife Diablo IV Review (9.3/10)

Calls it “the best Diablo yet.”

Diablo 4 is an excellent game and a fantastic next step for the ARPG genre. Smartly melding Open World and Online elements with traditional dungeon crawling and loot farming, this game will become the favorite time-sink of millions for years to come.

Gameskinny Diablo IV Review (9/10)

The fact that this game was developed while Blizzard has been rocked by scandal is a testament to the skill and dedication of the team that made it.
Diablo 4 feels like a statement game from Blizzard, a “we’re back” for anyone who was concerned after Diablo 3’s rough launch and the middling reception to Diablo Immortal. It’s the sequel to Diablo 2 people have been waiting for, and it doesn’t disappoint. Diablo 4 is a game about legacies, so it’s fitting that in developing it, Blizzard has re-solidified the franchise’s — and its own.

The verdict is in: Diablo IV is one hell of a game

Some are calling Diablo IV the best entry yet in the venerable franchise, and that is considerable praise indeed. It’s also proof as to why Blizzard is one of the biggest names in gaming right now. The game releases on June 6 for Windows, PS4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

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Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition

Developer:
Blizzard Entertainment

Price:
Free

Featured image via Xbox.com.