Powdered Toastman
Member
Lovely game, played it a lot, both the single player as well as 'single' multiplayer mode (didn't have internet). The wizard starts off weak, but in the endgame is probably the strongest.
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LTTP: Diablo 1 (Spoilers within)
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AdventureRacing
Member
Right up there with my favourite games of all time. One of the best soundtracks ever made and the game just oozes atmosphere. I enjoyed the loot system and also the rarity of the special enemies, it's rare that enemies actually feel intimidating. The combat system was incredibly simple and yet surprisingly satisfying.
Sure diablo 2 improved on most areas but there is just something about diablo 1 that i love. I wish we could get a game with that sort of atmosphere again.
No probably about it. In the end game the wizard is by far the most powerful class. You can just empty whole rooms of enemies in seconds and once you have mana shield you're probably the most defensive class as well.
Sure diablo 2 improved on most areas but there is just something about diablo 1 that i love. I wish we could get a game with that sort of atmosphere again.
No probably about it. In the end game the wizard is by far the most powerful class. You can just empty whole rooms of enemies in seconds and once you have mana shield you're probably the most defensive class as well.
An amazing title that still looks good today. Even had a pretty good console port. Sure D2 is much improved and modern but D1 is just gritty and both are great pick-ups for people who loved 3 on console (or PC) and aren't usually PC gamers and thus might not even think of PC gaming on their rigs. Runs great on everything made in the last decade+.
The closest thing to a place filled with "dread" in Path of Exile I'd say it'd be the Chamber of Sins near the end of Act 2. I completed the beta before it went out on Steam (ergo, before the big updates) so I haven't played Act 3 in quite a while - maybe the new areas are a bit more oppresive than the others.
In any case, Path of Exile is the closest thing to Diablo II I've played - and despite the stiff animation and debatable art style (which I love, to be honest), I still find it a more than worthy successor. Plus, DAT SKILL TREE/WEB.
Actually its second act
LOL yeah, you're right. Got a bit of a brainfart there, forgot about the "coastal" theme the first act had.
I recall it being quite a good port actually. I remember being pleasantly surprised. You might have some luck tracking down some old reviews as well if you do some digging.
secretanchitman
Member
Random quests did suck. I wanted every quest in one playthrough but I realized that it wasn't going to happen.
This is one of my favorite games of all time. The atmosphere is perfect, the music is kickass (Matt Uelmen rocks), and I liked the sheer amount of items and customizability, plus the gameplay was so simple yet so satisfying.
I do like how Diablo 3 references the original game quite a bit! Gharbad the "strong", Griswolds Worn Edge, Old Tristram, etc.
It was done pretty well. The 2-player mode was nice, and it even differentiated what each player was targeting. Unfortunately it also took 10 blocks out of 15 on the memory card.
Jesus you're my soulmate! You describe everything I feel about D1, 2 and 3 better than I could have! Lol!
brofist, then!
I do quite like (as i explained above) D2's Act 1 though. It reminds me a lot of the things D1 did - less dreadful, less claustrophobic, but still dark enough to avoid being cartoonish.
And no, this isn't a "LOL DIABLO 3 IS FILLED WITH RAINBOWS BRING BACK DARK COLORS LOL" situation - D3 looked beautiful at times. It just isn't what I hoped for in terms of atmosphere.
edgewalker
Neo Member
Amazing atmosphere & lore. It had the right amount of fear and despair as one descends into the cursed dungeon.
I remember The Butcher fight and being absolutely terrified. That was one tough fight as I used to mostly play as mage or archer. Finally beat him after so many fails.
I remember The Butcher fight and being absolutely terrified. That was one tough fight as I used to mostly play as mage or archer. Finally beat him after so many fails.
AdventureRacing
Member
brofist, then!
I do quite like (as i explained above) D2's Act 1 though. It reminds me a lot of the things D1 did - less dreadful, less claustrophobic, but still dark enough to avoid being cartoonish.
And no, this isn't a "LOL DIABLO 3 IS FILLED WITH RAINBOWS BRING BACK DARK COLORS LOL" situation - D3 looked beautiful at times. It just isn't what I hoped for in terms of atmosphere.
To me diablo 3 feels more like playing a gauntlet game. It's certainly not bad but it doesn't really feel like diablo at all to me.
Nikodemos
Member
IIRC, you received either The Butcher or King Leoric as a low-level sidequest. In the case of receiving The Butcher, I usually restarted the game if my char was a rogue or sorcerer.
Diablo 1 with swedish voices is the greatest thing ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-nOwIZkeZ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-nOwIZkeZ8
AdventureRacing
Member
Depends on what mode you're playing. In MP you always get the butcher that's for sure, i'm not totally sure but i think Leoric is always there as well. In SP things are completely different and in all honesty i barely played so i can't remember.
Butcher was a Floor 3 or 5 quest if I remember correctly. I killed him either by shooting through fenced wall behind a door since he can't open them or just went a few floors lower and came back once I had leveled up a bit and had better gear and skills.
That1BlackGuy
Member
They really did do an amazing job of capturing the atmosphere for this game, it's presentation elements were damn good.
I enjoyed it a lot but then again I never the played the PC version.
I enjoyed it a lot but then again I never the played the PC version.
Nikodemos
Member
Level 2, like Water Supply. Leoric was Level 3. See AdventureRacing's comment about always getting them in multi.
If encountering the dying peasant I usually restarted the game because the Cleaver is much less useful to the rogue or sorcerer compared to the Crown (and the rest of the drops) or the Ring of Truth.
Architecture-wise, it might not be all that, but... I always loved how sinister this looked.
This unnatural red light pouring out every window and hole, a cross of blood in the ground near the graves... and a man, dying from his wounds just outside the entrance of this desecrated temple. It's simple, but damn if it isn't effective.
This unnatural red light pouring out every window and hole, a cross of blood in the ground near the graves... and a man, dying from his wounds just outside the entrance of this desecrated temple. It's simple, but damn if it isn't effective.
edgewalker
Neo Member
Shooting him through a fenced wall is exactly how I managed to kill him as an archer.
Alx
Member
At least in single player, the Butcher is always floor 2. It's probably intentional that he's clearly overpowered compared to the level of a character reaching that floor. The only way to beat him at that moment is indeed to trick him thanks to the basic pathfinding, I remember getting him blocked by the stairs to the lower level and shooting him over it. It takes a looooong time when you're low level.
But once you become powerful, it never gets old to do the fire wall trick : open the door, cast firewall, close it.
"Haaa, fresh meat...ow...! ow... ! ow... ! ow... ! ow... ! Aaargh !"
The Butcher cleaver was worthless though. I think I never used it, if you managed to beat him as a warrior you probably have a high enough level and better weapons, and if you tricked him with a mage or a rogue you won't want to use an axe-like weapon.
At least in single player, the Butcher is always floor 2. It's probably intentional that he's clearly overpowered compared to the level of a character reaching that floor. The only way to beat him at that moment is indeed to trick him thanks to the basic pathfinding, I remember getting him blocked by the stairs to the lower level and shooting him over it. It takes a looooong time when you're low level.
But once you become powerful, it never gets old to do the fire wall trick : open the door, cast firewall, close it.
"Haaa, fresh meat...ow...! ow... ! ow... ! ow... ! ow... ! Aaargh !"
The Butcher cleaver was worthless though. I think I never used it, if you managed to beat him as a warrior you probably have a high enough level and better weapons, and if you tricked him with a mage or a rogue you won't want to use an axe-like weapon.
Firewall trick is indeed amazing! Brings back memories.
I still remember the first time I opened that door, scared the shit out of me.
And yes, the cleaver is a useless weapon. I think I only used it once, the first time I got it, and never used it again. Still it looked badass in the art. Man, so many good memories with Diablo 1.
I actually REALLY like the random quest structure of the first game. Gives it that true replayability feel.
Everyone saying 1 was better than 2 though? I mean. I lived and breathed Diablo 1, but it's just SOOOO slow and plodding, and more importantly the limited directionality and tile based movement really hurt it. Unless you're using one of the few 'combat tricks' the game has (which are mostly really obvious) your ability to kill hordes of succubi later on in the game is based purely on the amount of potions you have and how fast you can kill them/how well you can funnel them. You have no real capability of dodging anything, which feels lame.
Playing a Warrior can be an exercise in left clicking forever if you don't properly game your stats and gear for learning spells, loot is definitely not interesting by today's standards but it was cool at the time. I think the atmosphere loses itself after the Caves, and even those are a bit too bright to me. The dungeon and catacombs were flawless atmosphere, the caves had badass music, but the lava and eventually hell were both just so bright that I don't see Diablo as a 'dark' game at all (I know we're talking about tone here, but to me that plays into it a lot).
As much love as I have for the game, I seriously question anyone saying it's the better game in the series - that only seems like nostalgia to me every time. D2 was quite literally every single thing I wanted in a sequel to this game.
Also yes, Cave theme second best theme (Can't call Tristram anything but first without being wrong).
EDit: I will say this though - it makes me SUPER happy to see a new player able to pick up and enjoy this fantastic game. As much as I put way too much time into it, it's definitely dated in many ways and I think most people wouldn't make it 10 minutes before quitting, which saddens me.
Everyone saying 1 was better than 2 though? I mean. I lived and breathed Diablo 1, but it's just SOOOO slow and plodding, and more importantly the limited directionality and tile based movement really hurt it. Unless you're using one of the few 'combat tricks' the game has (which are mostly really obvious) your ability to kill hordes of succubi later on in the game is based purely on the amount of potions you have and how fast you can kill them/how well you can funnel them. You have no real capability of dodging anything, which feels lame.
Playing a Warrior can be an exercise in left clicking forever if you don't properly game your stats and gear for learning spells, loot is definitely not interesting by today's standards but it was cool at the time. I think the atmosphere loses itself after the Caves, and even those are a bit too bright to me. The dungeon and catacombs were flawless atmosphere, the caves had badass music, but the lava and eventually hell were both just so bright that I don't see Diablo as a 'dark' game at all (I know we're talking about tone here, but to me that plays into it a lot).
As much love as I have for the game, I seriously question anyone saying it's the better game in the series - that only seems like nostalgia to me every time. D2 was quite literally every single thing I wanted in a sequel to this game.
Also yes, Cave theme second best theme (Can't call Tristram anything but first without being wrong).
EDit: I will say this though - it makes me SUPER happy to see a new player able to pick up and enjoy this fantastic game. As much as I put way too much time into it, it's definitely dated in many ways and I think most people wouldn't make it 10 minutes before quitting, which saddens me.
I agree with most of what you say in your post, except for a couple of things: I don't think Diablo 1 is a better game than Diablo 2 at all. In fact, D2 does everything D1 but better in terms of pure gameplay (more classes, more skills, gems, runes, more armor, faster gameplay, etc.)
What I do think, however, is that Diablo 1 has a better or, using a different word, more consistent atmosphere. Diablo 2 is epic, it takes you from dark ages to ruthless desert to damp, oppresive jungle to the plains of hell (and then, frozen craggy northlands). But the feeling of slow dread and claustrophobia is lost because of its expanse. You trade the intimacy of D1's story and tone (almost like a cosmic horror game - the enemy beyond comprehension that slowly drives everybody insane. And you have to literally descend into madness/Hell to defeat it) for something akin to "travel the world (and beyond), kick some ass". Now, I'm not saying D2 is devoid of atmosphere: loved how sinister the latter parts of Act 1 got (I've already mentioned my love of the perverse tone of the Monastery, the sacred defiled by the profane makes for a very compelling and interesting tone), the ancient tombs in Act 2 felt ancient beyond human memory (and the Arcane Sanctuary was a highlight of escherian geometry), and Act 3 manages to hit the right notes for me thanks to its striking architecture (there's a severe lack of mesoamerican-inspired artstyles in gaming and D2's Act 3 is bloody great for that). I just don't think it's a consistent one. It goes from dark to slow to calm (for a while) to bright yet lonely to impossible to decayed to epic (power metal-ish epic). When it hits the right notes, it does it with excellence though.
Diablo 1, on the other hand, makes you (or at least, makes me) remember almost constantly that you're always descending, always one step closer to something that should not be there yet it is. And while you open up (impossible but practical - something that furthers the uneasy vibe) shortcuts back to Tristram, the town is almost barren, with people either wallowing in misery or trying to get by despite their misery, bathed in perpetual twilight with only the unnatural red glow of the Hell inside the Cathedral to serve as a guide. It doesn't feel epic, it doesn't feel nice or impressive - it just makes you think that Diablo's corruption has, slowly but surely, reached the surface. And that defeating the Lord of Terror won't bring back the complete and utmost peace these villagers crave, because the damage is already done
and, of course, demons end up razing the place anyway.
Flachmatuch
Member
You can also play the PS1 version on a CFW PSP. Way too awesome.
Bumping this thread cause I'm currently going through the game as a warrior. Like everyone else, I used to play it back then, but I would run away in fear as soon as I opened the door to the Butcher. Don't think I ever went farther than Leoric.
Then much later on (long after D2 came out) I discovered Bnet and all the hacking that went on. I created a hacked character then went all anti-PK by chain-killing people who were being mean to other players. I would kill them, rez them, kill them, rinse and repeat. So satisfying.
So here I am now, farther than I've ever been: level 9 (i.e. the first cave level) as a warrior. Level 8 was brutal, because of all the acid/poison spitters everywhere. I almost died. I had to use my entire supply of health potions to make it. Right now my strategy involves keeping a +22 magic staff in my inventory. That way, whenever I get a spell book that requires more magic than I have, I just put the staff on and voilà!
The game is awesome. If gold didn't take up inventory space - I have so much gold it takes up about 1/3 of the inventory, shit is ridiculous -, if the inventory was bigger/there were a stash in town, and if you could run it would be incredible. I might try that so-called Diablo HD mod. I hear it adds a ton of features from D2 and D3.
(Diablo 3 RoS is still great though. Crappy campaign, so-so atmosphere, but the rest is amazing. Screw the haters!)
Then much later on (long after D2 came out) I discovered Bnet and all the hacking that went on. I created a hacked character then went all anti-PK by chain-killing people who were being mean to other players. I would kill them, rez them, kill them, rinse and repeat. So satisfying.
So here I am now, farther than I've ever been: level 9 (i.e. the first cave level) as a warrior. Level 8 was brutal, because of all the acid/poison spitters everywhere. I almost died. I had to use my entire supply of health potions to make it. Right now my strategy involves keeping a +22 magic staff in my inventory. That way, whenever I get a spell book that requires more magic than I have, I just put the staff on and voilà!
The game is awesome. If gold didn't take up inventory space - I have so much gold it takes up about 1/3 of the inventory, shit is ridiculous -, if the inventory was bigger/there were a stash in town, and if you could run it would be incredible. I might try that so-called Diablo HD mod. I hear it adds a ton of features from D2 and D3.
(Diablo 3 RoS is still great though. Crappy campaign, so-so atmosphere, but the rest is amazing. Screw the haters!)
wait, what? Is there a Diablo HD Mod I wasn't aware of? DAMN.
Fake edit: Is this the one? If so... looks and sounds tasty.
TheMoon
Member
You know you can just drop all your gold on the floor in Tristram, right? It'll stay there forever. That's why everyone's late game town is always completely covered in gold.
KyanMehwulfe
Member
Best part of the game was how tense, eerie, and ominous it was to go through a dungeon to kill another player. The atmosphere of PKing was just thick.
The game just looked, sounded, and felt so dark.
The game just looked, sounded, and felt so dark.
I absolutely loved this game. My friend and I recently decided to play through again on PC and man was it hard. The worst part was near the end when my Mage became very powerful. Friendly fire is ALWAYS on. My friend was a warrior, the hardest part near the end was trying not to kill my friend with chain lightning and fireballs...
Disaster Nebraska
Banned
D1 is a prime example of why I love mid-90s PC gaming. The atmosphere is flawless, it's packed with secrets, and yet the premise is so simple: plumb the depths of the monster-ridden Cathedral to find out what happened to Leoric and the Archbishop Lazarus. But then of course the story continues to grow darker as you realize what is going on and what needs to be done. There was this sense of mystery. You vs the Cathedral. That was it. I was also really into Roguelikes at the time and Diablo 1 is basically a really well-polished real-time roguelike.
Diablo II and especially Diablo III moved away from that simple premise. Heck, in D2 you're travelling to swampy jungles and in D3 you're fighting against a seige and then you're fighting in Heaven. More epic, sure, but it traded that intimate, creepy setting of the first game for Hollywood thrills (the same thing happened between Starcraft and Starcraft II)
Diablo II and especially Diablo III moved away from that simple premise. Heck, in D2 you're travelling to swampy jungles and in D3 you're fighting against a seige and then you're fighting in Heaven. More epic, sure, but it traded that intimate, creepy setting of the first game for Hollywood thrills (the same thing happened between Starcraft and Starcraft II)
I recently played Diablo 1 all the way through myself. Never played Rogue, but Wizard does have some things you need to know to progress. It's hard, but not impossible.
The main thing to know is that the wizard shopkeeper's item list changes each time you enter and exit the labyrinth. So if there is a spell you need, you'll have to keep going in and out until she has the book. I had to do this for like three spells I needed.
Wizard also costs money. You can do warrior without buying anything but potions. But you have to buy expensive books for the wizard.
Needed spells my game roll didn't include with the Wizard:
Lightning
That weak lightning spell that wanders around randomly
Mana shield
Fireball
I hit points with each of those where I could not progress until she had the book. That was lame. Required items should have been in the dungeon somewhere. But instead the roll felt prudent to give me five of the weakest Fire books instead - even though you start with that spell!
Other than that, you need to know how to beat each enemy. Each floor has only two or so enemy types and usually focuses on a specific element. For example, one floor Fire may be best to use. Another floor might be lightning. This helped prevent unnecessary spell swapping.
Also focus on how each enemy moves. Especially in Hell. The big ox that charges you? Just keep running around in general if they are in the vicinity. There are two late-game spell casters you need to know how to fight. The female spell casters, and the sorcerors. Notice that one will follow you, the other doesn't. So if you're in a room with both, leave and kill the females - hiding behind a corner works best so you can take 1 out at a time. Then go in and take out the males. This helps in the Lazorus fight.
I can't remember how in the hell I actually beat this game in the first place. I do know my character was a Warrior though, so it was easy (?) mode - but I can't rembember if I had any strategies or just abused of potions and hack-and-slash'd my way through Hell.
Oh yeah, I remember Succubi were fucking annoying. That, coupled with the main character's slow movement = literal Hell.
Alx
Member
They were annoying for warriors if you wanted to melee them, but they were perfect for firewall or fire ball, lining up perfectly together waiting for area/splash damage.
Yeah the AI in the game was easy to exploit...
D1 was scary, sequels lost that somehow.
They were annoying for warriors if you wanted to melee them, but they were perfect for firewall or fire ball, lining up perfectly together waiting for area/splash damage.
Yeah the AI in the game was easy to exploit...
Used a bow on my warrior to take them down
Played it recently again.
Genre changed so much since Diablo 1, but i have to say that some parts of it still holds up and its still addicting [one more room, one more level etc]
I actually wouldnt mind a game in the same vein: slow paced with focus on tactical clearing of rooms [not clusterfuck combat or killing 100 enemies with one click], unforgiving for mistakes, very grim and dark and focused only on dungeon, randomized quests, tons traps and logic puzzles etc
Though it would need to have PoE's flash system implemented, much better UI and not have clunky aiming.
Genre changed so much since Diablo 1, but i have to say that some parts of it still holds up and its still addicting [one more room, one more level etc]
I actually wouldnt mind a game in the same vein: slow paced with focus on tactical clearing of rooms [not clusterfuck combat or killing 100 enemies with one click], unforgiving for mistakes, very grim and dark and focused only on dungeon, randomized quests, tons traps and logic puzzles etc
Though it would need to have PoE's flash system implemented, much better UI and not have clunky aiming.
Another reason why wizard was so much better than the rest. It's funny how overpowered the wizard was compared to the rest, especially with some of the spells from Hellfire.
They were annoying for warriors if you wanted to melee them, but they were perfect for firewall or fire ball, lining up perfectly together waiting for area/splash damage.
Yeah the AI in the game was easy to exploit...
Never forget the good old "Stand at an open door and let the monsters come one by one" trick.
AntiFacebook
Member
I played it after D2 and it was almost unplayable.
The only Blizzard game I didn't enjoy.
How people can like it more than D2 is beyond me.
The only Blizzard game I didn't enjoy.
How people can like it more than D2 is beyond me.
Moff
Member
still the best atmosphere of the franchise. I love that game. I think I replayed it after the D3 announcement the last time, so quite some time ago.
I totally understand if people cant enjoy it, because D2 added so much and D3 gameplay is generations ahead.
but I'm glad I can still enjoy this gem.
especially if you like casters, this game is still awesome, the diablo 1 sorceror is one of the coolest and overpowered ones ever.
I totally understand if people cant enjoy it, because D2 added so much and D3 gameplay is generations ahead.
but I'm glad I can still enjoy this gem.
especially if you like casters, this game is still awesome, the diablo 1 sorceror is one of the coolest and overpowered ones ever.