I really enjoyed the last stress test, now...not so much. I've debated as to whether this is due to having played Diablo 3 since then, and while I'm sure that's part of it, I think the larger culprit is the new balancing changes they made (which fortunately can be fixed). I played 13 levels of the Shadow class and was having a brutal time, so I started a new ranger (I had gotten one to level 20 during the previous stress test) and started having a bit of a better time. However, I just feel like right now I'm constantly being rushed by 7-10 mobs (sometimes with a mini-elite boss thrown in), and it's not that enjoyable.
A large part of the problem is that my attacks don't seem that responsive. I sometimes I have to repeatedly push a button multiple times for a skill to go off -- usually when I need it the most. I could be wrong, but it feels like the enemies are given preference in regards to attack commands, meaning that when given a choice, the game will choose to execute the enemy attack as opposed to the player's (again, this is my perception and may not be indicative of reality). Plus, some areas are horribly balanced. Getting mobbed by 7 ghost pirates with Flicker attack is an instant death as a ranger. Finally, being frozen by a mob and then immediately killed (while initially at full health and shields) is frustrating -- especially when you then have to run through two levels to reengage the boss again.
I was fighting Merveil and decided to open a portal to town at the beginning of the stage so I could have a quick exit/return. Unfortunately, after I died (frozen = instagib), the server crashed...which means re-clearing the previous two levels, including the mini-bosses again. And...I just don't see that happening. There's a lot of great things in the game (I like the graphics, and the addition of traps are fun), but it's difficulty needs to be tweaked for it to be enjoyable (I was playing on the default setting). They also need to make selling your items less of a clunky experience. For a game that centers around procurement of loot, having to drag every item into the sell box (as opposed to just right clicking on an item) is cumbersome.
I haven't given up on the game (though I likely won't play again this weekend), but I'm curious to see if I will be willing to return once Diablo 3 releases.
Although I already took the +30 Agi passive... might as well refund it after I get resolute then.
