Back in the heyday of Diablo 2, the grind was the heart and soul of RPGs. You’d spend countless hours climbing up to the highest levels and snagging the best loot. Fast forward to the present, and the gaming landscape has shifted towards a more fast-paced, instantly gratifying experience. David Brevik, one of Diablo’s masterminds, believes this evolution in design philosophy has had its drawbacks across various role-playing genres.
When Diablo 2 hit the scene in 2000, it redefined action-RPGs. Its captivating world, strategic combat, and intense dungeon-crawling hooked players, and even today, nearly a quarter of a century later, it’s still a favorite. Brevik, who wore many hats as the lead programmer for Diablo and the project and design lead on Diablo 2, thinks the enduring love for these games stems from the fact that modern iterations have deviated from the careful pacing and rich details that his team crafted.
Talking to VideoGamer, he shared his thoughts: “It seems like ARPGs have gravitated towards this rapid-fire approach—obliterating masses of enemies in no time,” he said. “Players are building their characters to annihilate everything in sight for better loot drops and level-ups, but much of what drops just ends up cluttering the screen.”
Brevik isn’t a fan of this “mow everything down” mentality. He finds it “kind of silly.” This trend towards front-loading rewards by swarming players with enemies means you can level up and find powerful items quicker. However, revisiting the original Diablo games highlights how those encounters were a more calculated and rare treat.
He’s observed this trend in MMORPGs, too. “It’s all about how fast you can level up and wipe out foes,” he remarked. “I just think it makes the experience less satisfying, so I naturally avoid that style.”
While there’s something to be said for this perspective, it’s also worth noting that modern MMOs, like Final Fantasy 14, are designed to get players into the action swiftly. This streamlined approach may lower the entry barrier, ensuring that players immediately engage with the adventure and monster-slaying excitement they crave.
Still, Brevik argues that this shortcut approach cheapens new PC games. “By cutting down the journey and making it a bit absurd, you’ve lessened the overall experience,” he said.
The silver lining is that gamers can still relish both classic and modern game styles at their convenience. With Diablo 3 and 4 readily accessible and Diablo 2 having received a stunning remaster in 2021, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
If you’re interested, swing by our Diablo 4 Season 8 guide to check its expected release date. We also have a rundown of top games like Diablo for those hunting for their next gripping challenge.
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