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By Nancy Eaton It’s been a few years since Diablo was released by Blizzard Entertainment — long enough for the game to reap major industry awards (including Game of the Year) and amass a rabid following of fans. The long-awaited sequel, Diablo II, amassed a rabid following as well. Why are folks so crazy about this game? Some say it’s because the original Diablo offered a neat and balanced mix of genres, combining the best of action, adventure and role-playing games. Diablo was sufficiently intriguing to keep people at their computers for a long time — and keep them coming back for more. Based on what gamers have to say, Diablo II provides more of the same. Progress by Trial and Error So what’s this game about? Essentially, it’s a complex and convoluted mystery story. It presents you with a series of puzzling tasks and challenges that you need to complete in order to move to a higher level. To solve these challenges, you search for clues and apply various tactics by trial and error. It’s about exploration, discovery, commerce, cunning and cooperation. And, of course, it’s about combat. Music from Diablo II (Requires QuickTime) 
Whack! A Barbarian bashes Boneash before he freezes in place. |
 Demonic Cows. The Amazon takes on the vicious Bovines.Diablo II available from Blizzard Entertainment View QuickTime Trailer iTunes: Diablo II Soundtrack
You start out in a medieval world assuming the identity of one of five unique characters, or heroes. Each has a different set of skills (see sidebar on next page). Your objective is to move your hero through three levels, or “acts,” and then proceed to the finale — a showdown with the diabolical Diablo. Bad News Brothers Along the way, you’re beset by monsters and other creatures that impede your progress. You must destroy them before they kill you first. These nasties find clever ways to sneak up on you — some even slither out of the ground. To add to the stress, Diablo’s two bad-news brothers, Baal and Mephisto, do their best to cause problems wherever you go. Gain Mad Skillz You’ll also encounter a number of non-playing characters (in this genre of games, these are known as NPCs). These creatures give you information or assign you specific tasks, known as “quests,” in order for you to progress in the game. Once you successfully complete a certain number of quests, you’ll be permitted to move to the next act, escorted by an obliging NPC. What kinds of quests will you be asked to perform? Here’s one straight from the first act of Diablo II: “Den of Evil,” given by Akara. Find cave in nearby (unspecified) woods. Kill all monsters, including any Champions or Uniques. Return to Akara. For all your efforts, you’ll be rewarded one skill point. |
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