Diablo Immortal
Developer Blizzard Entertainment, NetEase
Publisher Blizzard Entertainment
Format iOS, PC
Release Out now
The demonic theme of Diablo has never been so fitting, since there is something distinctly Faustian about forging a pact with Diablo Immortal. In this free-to-play version of Blizzard’s landmark ARPG, designed for mobile devices, the series’ propulsive combat and fantasy Met Gala is adapted to smaller screens and a simpler interface. But it is fatally compromised both ethically and in play by a cynical business model.
Taking place between the events of Diablos II and III, Immortal sees you travelling the land of Sanctuary seeking MacGuffins known as ‘Worldstone shards’, which must be found and destroyed before the demon Skarn can get his talons on them. Assuming the role of one of six classes, you arrive at the beleaguered town of Wortham for a rendezvous with the series’ omnipresent sage, Deckard Cain. These opening hours are an intense power trip: you’ll level up your character a dozen times in the first hour alone, unlocking a brace of foundational skills and kitting yourself out in some impressive starter equipment. Functionally, the game is closest to Diablo III, although the progression path has been simplified. Each character can unlock two types of basic attack, while individual abilities evolve automatically as you level up.
The thrill of feeling out the destructive rhythm of a specific class is intact. The Necromancer, for example, creates piles of mutilated corpses as he kills enemies, which can be targeted to explode, dealing extra damage and detonating any other nearby bodies. The Crusader, meanwhile, uses his shield and spells to push enemies around, dragging them into striking range with a shield throw, then slapping them into submission with a magical flail. These strategies grow in effectiveness as you progress. At higher levels, the Necromancer’s corpses reanimate as spider-like creatures when targeted, scuttling toward an enemy, then bursting. It’s both disgusting and satisfying.