It's quite the thing to be a pariah, just ask Blizzard for these past few weeks. To have your every decision and action torn apart to it's base essence and revealed for what it is, it can make one supremely self conscious and weary. I can only imagine that was the atmosphere within the Blizzard offices when the decision was made for a 3 prong redemption arc to be held at Blizzcon with the desperate attempt to recoup just a fraction of their lost trust and respect. In some ways I hold some sympathy for them, for so long they were the gold standard to the PC audience and a company who always knew how to put their fans first, but then I remember the draconic 'regulation' practises that overwhelmed the Overwatch community (and likely other Blizzard games that I wasn't paying as close attention too) and remember that this backlash isn't as spontaneous as it appears, rather it has been cooking for a good while now.
In my blog on Overwatch, I forgot to mention the first step of Blizzard's redemption; when, man who lost the morning battle with his hair, J Allen Brack took the stage at the cusp of Blizzcon to apologize for his failure to handle recent events amicably. He told everyone that Blizzard was given the opportunity to provide a teachable moment, and that they had failed that challenge and were reaping the consequences. What followed was little more than canned PR talk so I couldn't be bothered to pay attention, but I will admit I was impressed that Blizzard's CEO had the courage to address the crowd like that. (Now if only he had something to actually say, then the speech would have been perfect!) Brack expressed how 'Actions speak louder than words' and then proceeded to point to Blizzcon as an example of those actions. (Brack, my man, you're the CEO of a gaming company. Making games is kind of expected from you. When we talk about 'actions speaking loudly' we tend to meaning going above and beyond simply developing products to assist your profitability.) I'm not sure if the man was just out-of-touch or has genuinely never made an apology before, either way, it was rough to watch.
Luckily the Developers that Brack had chained to their desks pulled through in cobbling together reveal trailers for Blizzard's current flagships; Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4. (Alternatively known as; 'Please forgive us!' and 'We're really sorry!') Still, Blizzard have yet to provide fans with anything resembling a release date on either of these two titles (and why would they, both were probably prematurely revealed) but they operated under the impression that reminding fans that these games exist would be enough to distract them from the abject truth that such titles are funded by China. (Interesting to note, but not at all surprising, 'Hong Kong' wasn't mentioned once during the festivities. Or rather not once outside of the Twitch chat, which was practically taken over by shouts of 'Free Hong Kong'.) But rather than judge Blizzard on their lack of social duty and responsibility, I've already done that in spades, I'm going to temporarily buy into their game and look at their second apology reveal; Diablo 4.
For those who don't remember the disaster that was Blizzcon 2018, you likely also won't remember the fervour around how Blizzard handled Diablo. That event was deprived of any and all announcements save for a single Diablo title which people had been buzzing about for weeks beforehand due to leaks. The throne of Diablo in the hearts of gamers had been supplanted ever since the botched release of Diablo 3, and fans were eager to see their favourite loot-crawler return to form. Things began to fall south, however, once a couple of Blizzard Devs took to the stage to announce that their next Diablo game wouldn't be the long-awaited Diablo 4, but rather a new title called; Diablo Immortal. "Huh?" Fans thought "That almost sounds like a live service... Which is strange because Diablo already kind-of is a live service. So what is this?". Unfortunately, their worst nightmares would be confirmed when it was revealed that Diablo Immortal would be a mobile exclusive. (NO!)
History has taught gamers, time and time again, that the only reason a series ever goes mobile is in order to bastardize the franchise and turn it into a microtransaction ridden cesspit. The mobile market reeks from the miasma of corporate avarice and tarnished ambition, such to the point that even the most inattentive gamer knows to keep far away from such storefronts. Thus, fans could only see it as a betrayal once Blizzard revealed their plans to pawn off the Diablo franchise down such avenues. We saw this reaction reflected in the raw disgust that those present displayed by such an announcement, like when one fan stood and asked "Is this an out-of-season April fools joke?", to which the Devs had no real response apart from awkwardly stating that "No, this is a real game." Some tried to make the best of the situation by asking if the game would at least be playable on PC, which the Devs had to laugh off by saying that it was mobile only. When people booed this choice, we got the infamous line "What? You guys don't have phones?"
The botched announcement sent ripples through the gaming community as people saw their heroes, Blizzard, selling out their talents and fandom in order to chase a quick buck. Reddit's erupted, hearts were broken, and certain games media alumni tried to find a way to make it the gamer's fault. (Predictably) Worst of all, people lost hope in the Diablo brand and decided to finally give themselves over the plethora of alternatives out there. (I'm partial to Path of Exiles, myself.) All of this meant that if Blizzard wanted to make any of their reputation back they would be forced to announce Diablo 4 next year, no matter how far along in development the game is. "That would fix things." They thought. "And then everyone will love Blizzard again. I mean, it's not like we'll find a way to cause an even bigger controversy within a year, right?" (I've never met Blizzard's PR team but I really feel for them right now.)
With all that fresh in our minds, I feel we are equipped to take a good long look at the trailer that Blizzard believe will right last year's wrongs. (And last month's wrongs, I guess.) Before that, however, mandatory disclaimer; I've never played a Diablo game through to completion before. They've never appealed to me on that base level that you really need for a time-eater experience like this. That being said, I've always been open to trying out some of Diablo and so I've kept a casual eye on how things have played out. However, lore-wise, I only know that basic of the basic. I can't even remember who Leah is. (I know she was in Diablo 3, but that's about it...) So bare that in mind all you Diablo nuts when I miss the bleedin' obvious.
Nitpicking aside, I will admit that this Cinematic trailer is pretty atmospheric and does set the tone for a suitably disturbing entry into the new Diablo. This trailer opens up on a deserted town in the aftermath of some great catastrophe that resulted in the deaths of millions, (Lovely) as we venture down into the depths to join our 'heroes' of this trailer: a band of treasure hunters. Oh that's right, in a world wherein there is a physical manifestation of Hell that exists in the depths of the Earth, some idiots got together and thought it'd be smart to go spelunking for treasure. They probably deserve it once they all get rushed by an army of hellish ghouls and are forced into a corner in which they have to fight to the death.
The focus rests on a wounded scholar/priest who is being carried by a gruff looking man wearing an eyepatch who defiantly isn't Beric Dondarrion. (But I'm going to call him that anyway.) Our scholar is tasked with deciphering an ancient lock whilst the others hold off a horde of beasties and he discovers an interesting riddle. "By three they come" the wall gibberish apparently reads. This scholar then realizes that to open this here seal they need the blood of three willing participants. (And for some reason this doesn't immediately put him off. When is anything good ever sealed with blood magic?) The team leave Beric to hold off against the hoards and manage to open the door long enough to get in and shut him out. (No honor amongst thieves, I guess.)
Robin Hood's band of merry men then cuss about the fact that they aren't currently swimming in gold and decided to harass their scholar. Then we learn that this giant sacrifice altar isn't a long-empty treasure vault (Honestly, I have no idea why anyone would think it would be. You know, seeing as how the place was sealed with freakin' blood magic!) but rather a temple to 'her'. (Got to love the pronoun game.) Then we get to see that same fleeting shadow who gets work in every horror movie, swoop down and nick one our treasure hunters. (Ohh, spooky!) The other jumps in a panic to find himself face to face with Beric. (Awkward.)
Spooky stuff happens from here, none off which is particularly interesting, aside from Beric turning into one of the aliens from Prometheus and convincing our scholar lad to recite an ancient incarnation to summon miss 'her'. (Convincing which amounted to little more then "Come on, please!") The three treasure hunters are then suspended in mid air whilst their blood is called from their body to form various sacrilegious symbols in the air whilst our man reminds us that the seal requires three willing participants. (Huh, starting to think that the word 'willing' doesn't exactly apply to two of these lads considering the fact they are currently struggling for their lives. Maybe he got the translation wrong.)
What precedes is, admittedly, one of the coolest visuals I've seen in a very long time from a game trailer. The blood runes solidify into a substance resembling flesh and our lady-of-the-hour pushes through it in a manner that I can only assume was conceptualized to resemble birth in some way. (Actually, now I'm describing the scene it just sounds gross.) Now we see this lady in her full glory whilst the Prometheus alien announces her name to be 'Lilith'. That's right, first wife of the fallen angel, mother of all evil, the lady herself. The trailer ends with a shot of the mistress looking slightly miffed whilst wearing a cloak of congealed blood. (That's an image that's going to stay with me.)
So that's the cinematic trailer in a nut shell. Nothing to write home about but still kind of worth watching, if only for that shot of Lilith at the end. (Even though I'll admit that her design isn't as cool as I was expecting. She just has horns, big whoop.) Of course, Blizzard wouldn't be foolish enough to think they could sell a game on the strength of cinematics alone, (They made that mistake once, long ago) and so they threw down a gameplay trailer to sell the real meat-and-potato's about what one could expect from Diablo 4 and I must admit, I'm pleasantly surprised.
After Diablo Immortal's incredibly lackluster debut, with it's cartoony style and unimpressive visuals, I wasn't expecting anything truly pretty out of Diablo 4. Not to claim that Diablo 4 looks like the most gorgeous game in the world, because it doesn't, but I can certainly see the way that the visuals have stepped it up from the last entry, specifically with the fluidity of animations. I particularly like the way that we can see frost particulate seep into the floors after using ice magic (I wonder if the same will be true when we inevitably get to using blood magic later on.)
Keeping with the 'By Three they come' theme, Diablo 4 seems to be starting off by giving players 3 different classes to pick through off-the-bat. Firstly, and most generically, we have the Barbarian. (who looks like he's off to a cosplay competition as Conan) This is your standard melee master who's abilities are catered towards getting into the middle of the carnage and causing heavy damage. (A classic.) Next is the Sorceress, who's abilities revolve around your typical elemantalist. Fire and ice are her trade and I'm sure she'll have the most flashy finishers by the endgame. Finally is the Druid, who appears to boast the ability to metamorphose into a werewolf or bear at will. (As you do.) I'd imagine his skill tree will revolve around buffing and debuffing those around him whilst empowering his beast form, but that's mere conjecture at this point.
On the question of environments and diversity, Diablo remains as pretty as it's predecessors. I doubt we've seen even half the locales that the final game will offer and I'm still excited to get stuck into the windy crags and dark dungeons. For my part, however, the best realized location we have seen is that of snow. That is element so hard to bring to life in a way that is both convincing and aesthetic and from what I've seen the team seem to be heading the right direction in regards to art decisions. (The real test will be getting a look at how they've worked on things like Ice caves.)
The Diablo reveal did seem rather reticent on showing off any show-stopping bosses, however, which I've always seen as one of the trademark features of this kind of genre. Diablo is usually renowned for it's gruesome and grotesque beasties, (Although they're still yet to hold a candle to Dante's Inferno) so I wonder why the team opted out of showing them off here. The most we got was a look at an insectile monster, a necromancer-looking fellow, and a sort of bone dragon. Nothing that threatens to haunt my dreams. (Maybe they're saving the real nightmares for the lategame.)
Ultimately, Diablo 4 looks like the kind of game that would finally drag me, kicking and screaming, into the world of Diablo, had it not been for recent events. Honestly, the things I've seen look vaguely promising and like the kind of journey I would like to try my hand at. (Although it would probably be best on a portable platform. No not a phone, I mean the Switch!) Right now however, I can't justify endorsing anything that Blizzard have their hands on. It's a shame, but this one will likely be a miss for me. (Although, as this was a Blizzard announcement without a release date, we probably won't be seeing the game until 2025 anyway.)
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