Diablo IV

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Diablo IV are mostly positive, with the majority of them praising the engaging and captivating narrative. Critics such as But Why Tho?, GameGrin, Gaming Age, Impulsegamer, NME, Screen Rant, Twinfinite, VideoGamer, We Got This Covered, and Worth Playing all highlight the strong storytelling and well-fleshed-out characters. They mention the presence of Lilith, a compelling and complex antagonist, as a driving force behind the plot. The reviewers appreciate the dark and intricate narrative that delves deep into the rich lore of the Diablo universe, keeping players engaged from start to finish. The well-written dialogues and impressive voice acting performances are also commended for adding depth and meaning to every encounter. However, there are a few critics who express some negative aspects of the story. Metro GameCentral mentions that the game is unbearably grimdark and lacks hope or humor, while Noisy Pixel criticizes the inclusion of random fetch quests and reporting to other characters, which feels like busy work. These critiques suggest that the story may become overly dark and repetitive at times, potentially impacting the overall experience for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Diablo IV is a standout feature of the game. The engaging narrative, impressive cinematics, and well-developed characters contribute to a compelling and immersive experience. The majority of the critics appreciate the expansion of the Diablo lore and the introduction of Lilith as a compelling villain. Despite some minor criticisms, the positive reception from critics such as GameStar, GamesHub, TheGamer, Game Informer, and Digital Spy solidify the notion that the story of Diablo IV is highly regarded and enjoyable for both newcomers and fans of the franchise.

The majority of the critics praised the gameplay of Diablo IV, highlighting its addictive and satisfying nature. They commended the game for its fast-paced and impactful combat, with several reviewers mentioning the feeling of power and the satisfaction of hack-and-slash mechanics (Screen Rant, Gaming Age, Push Square). The combat was described as fluid and desperate, with varying buffs and rarity levels of items adding another layer of strategy (GamesHub). The addition of customization options, such as character customization, skill trees, and customizable features for each class, was also well-received (Impulsegamer, Dexerto, Pocket-lint). The depth of the gameplay was emphasized, with reviewers mentioning the extensive skill tree, build variety, and the ability to fine-tune playstyles (GameGrin, Twinfinite, Gamereactor UK). However, there were some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Diablo IV. Some reviewers felt that the combat could become repetitive, especially when facing repetitive enemies and limited weapon types (Noisy Pixel). Combat was also described as mindless and hypnotic at times, lacking depth and risk-reward management (Metro GameCentral). Additionally, a few critics mentioned that while the gameplay was addictive, it lacked the same level of depth and complexity as other ARPGs (VideoGamer, Slant Magazine). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Diablo IV is very good. The majority of the reviewers praised the addictive and satisfying nature of the combat, the depth of customization options, and the variety of build choices available. The distinctiveness of each character class, the extensive skill tree, and the ability to fine-tune playstyles were highlighted as positive aspects of the gameplay. While there were some criticisms regarding repetitive combat and lack of depth compared to other ARPGs, these were overshadowed by the overall positive reception of the gameplay.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of Diablo IV, describing it as beautiful, stunning, and visually rich. They appreciated the level of detail in the scenery, rock structures, and environmental storytelling. The incorporation of past game locations was also mentioned positively. Critics like But Why Tho?, Gaming Age, and TheGamer highlighted the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in every environment, from eerie dungeons to sprawling open landscapes. The gothic, dark, and foreboding art style was commended by COGconnected, Twinfinite, and Dexerto, who appreciated the return to the series' gritty roots. The graphics were considered a feast for the eyes, with a stunning overhaul that enhanced the sense of dread and foreboding throughout the game world, as mentioned by Gaming Age. However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Diablo IV. Some reviewers, such as GameGrin and GamesHub, mentioned that while the open world and larger dungeon instances were visually stunning and well laid out, the layouts of small single-room instances (cellars) were repetitive and underwhelming. VideoGamer mentioned that most environments were grim in terms of color, which could be boring to look at. Worth Playing noted that while the grim and macabre visual design was an improvement over Diablo III, it could be too dark at times and difficult to see things. Metro GameCentral also mentioned that the visuals looked good from a distance but were disappointingly basic when zoomed in for cutscenes. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Diablo IV are very good. The majority of the critics praised the game for its stunning visuals, attention to detail, and immersive atmosphere. The gothic, dark, and foreboding art style was highly appreciated for its contribution to the overall experience. The critics' positive opinions, such as those of But Why Tho?, Gaming Age, and TheGamer, highlight the overall sentiment towards the graphics and visual design of Diablo IV. While there were some criticisms regarding repetitive layouts and occasional darkness, the overall consensus remains positive, with the majority of the critics considering the graphics and visual design of Diablo IV to be a significant improvement over its predecessor and a visually stunning experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the sound design and music of Diablo IV are overwhelmingly positive. Several critics, such as COGconnected and Worth Playing, praise the game's excellent music, environmental and combat sounds, voice acting, menus, and interfaces. The haunting musical score and atmospheric sound design are highlighted by Gaming Age, who mentions how they further immerse players into the dark world of Diablo IV. The sound design is also commended for its immersive nature by TheGamer and Pocket-lint, with precise location of sounds and a claustrophobic feel in dungeons. The voice acting performances are specifically praised by Twinfinite, Worth Playing, Gamereactor UK, Push Square, and TheXboxHub, with mention of the voice actor for Lorath being particularly impressive. The cinematics and short cutscenes are also mentioned by Twinfinite and GamesHub as adding to the overall atmosphere and feeling of fear and urgency. While the majority of critics have positive opinions, there are a few areas where some critics have mentioned potential negatives. Worth Playing notes that while the voice acting is good, the talking animations can be lackluster. However, this is a minor issue compared to the overall positive reception of the voice acting. Additionally, COGconnected mentions that the combat animations are cool, but does not mention any potential negatives. In conclusion, the sound design and music of Diablo IV are highly praised by the majority of critics. The haunting musical score, atmospheric sound design, and immersive nature of the audio experience are repeatedly mentioned as elevating the game's immersive nature to new heights. The voice acting performances, particularly the voice actor for Lorath, are also highly regarded. The cinematics and short cutscenes are noted for adding to the overall atmosphere and feeling of fear and urgency. While there are minor criticisms, such as lackluster talking animations, the overall consensus is that the sound design and music of Diablo IV are exceptional and greatly enhance the gameplay experience.

The overall sentiment towards the voice acting in Diablo IV is overwhelmingly positive. Critics consistently praise the performances and characterizations, highlighting the strong personalities brought to life by the voice actors. Ralph Ineson's portrayal of Lorath is particularly lauded, with multiple critics, including TheGamer and Twinfinite, commending his impressive performance that endears players to the characters. The gravelly growl of the voice actor for Lorath is described as instantly iconic and memorable. The voice acting in general is deemed to be well-done, engaging, and solid, as noted by COGconnected, Daily Star, and Worth Playing. Gamereactor UK simply states "excellent voice acting," further emphasizing the positive reception. While the majority of critics express positive opinions about the voice acting, there are a few minor criticisms mentioned. Push Square notes that there is some skipping through dialogue towards the end, which could potentially disrupt the immersion and impact the overall experience. However, this negative aspect is not heavily emphasized or elaborated upon by other critics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Diablo IV is of high quality and contributes significantly to the game's immersive storytelling. The performances are praised for bringing the characters to life and helping to push the story along, as stated by VideoGamer and Daily Star. The strong personalities portrayed by the voice actors, particularly Lorath and Neyrelle, are deemed memorable and engaging. The positive feedback from multiple critics, such as COGconnected, Twinfinite, and Worth Playing, further solidifies the notion that the voice acting in Diablo IV is a standout aspect of the game. Despite the minor criticism mentioned by Push Square, the overall sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, making the voice acting a notable highlight of the game.

In terms of the technical performance of Diablo IV, the opinions of the critics vary across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, on PC, COGconnected mentions some online performance issues in crowded areas and dungeons, while GameGrin notes latency issues in major cities but does not specify if it affects overall stability. Push Square praises the game for consistently running close to 60 frames-per-second on PS5. This indicates that the game generally performs well on PC and PS5, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience for players. Moving on to the negatives, NME highlights the punishing auto-save system if disconnected, which can result in setbacks of 20 minutes or more. Gamereactor UK mentions a plethora of technical issues on PS5, such as quests not progressing, T-posing corpses, texture loading delays, and framerate drops. These issues can significantly impact the gameplay experience and undermine the technical performance of the game. Xbox Tavern also mentions potential lag and disconnections due to the always-online requirement on Xbox Series X. Overall, there is a mixed consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of Diablo IV. While some platforms like PC and PS5 receive positive feedback for their smooth performance and stable framerates, others like PS5 and Xbox Series X face various technical issues. The multiple pre-release technical tests for PS5, as mentioned by Game Informer, seem to have paid off, resulting in a relatively stable connection experience. However, Gamereactor UK's extensive list of technical issues on PS5 raises concerns about the overall technical performance of the game. It is important for players to consider these platform-specific factors when deciding which version of the game to play.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Diablo IV are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics, such as But Why Tho?, COGconnected, GameGrin, GameStar, GamesHub, Gaming Age, Impulsegamer, NME, Screen Rant, TheGamer, Twinfinite, VideoGamer, We Got This Covered, Worth Playing, Daily Star, Dexerto, Game Informer, Gamereactor UK, Gamers Heroes, Metro GameCentral, Noisy Pixel, Pocket-lint, Push Square, VGC, Digital Spy, TheXboxHub, and Xbox Tavern, all praise the game for its extensive post-game content, side quests, dungeons, and area levels, which contribute to its high replayability. They also highlight the variety of encounters, bosses, and activities available in the endgame, such as world bosses, events, hidden Altars of Lilith, Battle Pass content, and strongholds. The addictive nature of the loot hunt and the satisfaction of finding new gear are also mentioned as positive aspects of the game's replay value. However, there are a few minor concerns raised by some critics. TheGamer expresses concern about the long-term engagement of the slower combat style, while Gamereactor UK mentions the lack of variety in dungeon layouts and a loot system where most gear is below the player's level. Dexerto also notes that the game can feel repetitive. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Diablo IV has excellent replay value. The majority of the critics highly recommend the game for fans of the ARPG genre, with some even describing it as a must-play. The extensive endgame content, class customization options, addictive loot hunt, and engaging side quests are cited as the main reasons for the game's high replayability. The critics also mention the game's depth, customization possibilities, and the motivation provided by its itemization and endgame grind. Despite a few minor concerns, the positive opinions of the critics overwhelmingly support the notion that Diablo IV offers a highly replayable experience that can provide years of enjoyment for players.