Diablo Immortal – yes, that game that fans booed at BlizzCon 2018 – is now in a playable build. Diablo Immortal Early Access is now live, and here is everything you need to know.
While the game isn't out publicly yet to, Diablo Immortal is now in a technical alpha phase. That means the game is in a playable build, but still not complete enough to be released for a larger audience. Blizzard, in fact, only distributed access to Diablo Immortal Early Access to a very select few. Most of the recipients are from gaming news websites, but some gaming influencers have also received access to the game. For the general public, Blizzard announced that they're rolling out the technical alpha to pre-registered users in Australia.
INITIAL REACTIONS TO DIABLO IMMORTAL EARLY ACCESS ARE POSITIVE
For a game that was received so poorly when it was announced, Diablo Immortal is turning out fine. Maybe it's because of very low expectations? Or maybe it's because the only gripe people had about it before was that it wasn't Diablo 4? It doesn't seem like it. In fact, initial reviews for Diablo Immortal Early Access have been generally positive.
A portion of Polygon's headline for their Diablo Immortal Early Access coverage reads “Diablo Immortal is a real Diablo game.” This is a subtle affirmation that the game fits in with the rest of the series. Many fans suspected to Diablo Immortal for being a mobile game. Specifically, many thought the game will be more mobile game and less Diablo game. Thankfully, fans may lay these fears to rest.
The Verge's article reads,
“Ahead of a technical alpha that’s set to kick off soon, I was able to play through the early stages of the game. And while I can’t speak to every aspect, one thing was immediately clear: this feels like a proper Diablo game.”
Eurogamer's piece on the game reads “Diablo Immortal enters alpha testing – and it seems great.” Finally, a Forbes article reads,
“My takeaway is that this effectively feels like a quasi-expansion for Diablo 3, stripped down and simplified on mobile, injected with some MMO elements, some for better, others possibly for worse. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying myself overall and the Diablo superfan in me is already feeling the pings of danger that this may be something I get addicted to when it’s fully live.”
So far, so good for the black sheep of the Diablo franchise.
SETTING: A LOOK AT SANCTUARY
Diablo Immortal Early Access confirmed that the game is in the same universe as the main canon. The story of Diablo Immortal is set sometime between Diablo 2 and Diablo 3 (and yes, Deckard Cain is still alive here.) The archangel Tyrael shattered the Worldstone hoping that it will cleanse Sanctuary of evil. Instead, the Worldstone's broken shards brought darkness with it wherever they fell in the world.
In the game, you play as one of the adventurers called upon by duty traveling around Sanctuary to locate the Worldstone's shards. It is up to you and the other adventurers to finish what Tyrael has started. Will you be able to overcome the corrupted beasts and the awakened evil that lies in wait for you? Your journey begins in Wortham, with six distinctive zones available in the early access build.
GAMEPLAY: WHAT CHANGED AND WHAT REMAINED
While the game isn't available for most gamers yet, Blizzard happily provided us more info about the game on their blog post. The articles from the press also give a nice glimpse about how the gameplay works with their first impressions.
From these first impressions, we received feedback that the game does feel like a Diablo game. This is in terms of gameplay feel, aesthetics, sound, and themes. It rightfully belongs to the world of Diablo. But in terms of gameplay, the press remarked that it feels more like an “MMO-lite” rather than a proper RPG game. With the ability to meet up with other online players in the game's hub world, the idea that the game is a mobile MMO is enforced. The game's control scheme, abilities that lead up to an ultimate, and general game loop also contribute to this feeling.
As an MMO-lite, the game has a lot of staple F2P MMO features translated well into Diablo's design. The core gameplay of fast-paced, visceral combat still exists, but with a live service gameplay loop that people who play Destiny will be familiar with. These come in the form of Rifts and community-driven marketplaces.
Players will also be able to enjoy a lootfest, just like in previous Diablo games. There a ton of equipment and items to find and use. Building your perfect character will still require you to hunt for complete sets of equipment, just like in Diablo 3.
Blizzard markets the game as fun to play in both solo gaming or through multiplayer. While the zones in the game can feature dozens of players running around slaying monsters, players can team up as a party of up to four players. Journey alone or together in finding the Worldstone shards and slay the corrupted beasts of Sanctuary.
FOUR CHARACTER CLASSES AND CHARACTER PROGRESSION REVEALED IN DIABLO IMMORTAL EARLY ACCESS
The Diablo Immortal Early Access gave us an intimate look at the four available classes in the game. These are:
Barbarian – beat enemies with brute force and raw strength.
Wizard – use your cunning and magic to vanquish your foes.
Monk – learn both martial and mystic arts to annihilate the forces of darkness.
Demon Hunter – be agile as you take down monsters from afar with your trusty crossbow.
These character classes are familiar to long-time Diablo fans, but Blizzard changed up how they work in Diablo Immortal. For one, all of the classes have two basic attacks, a unique set of skills, and an Ultimate ability, all of which you'll be using to beat the game's most dangerous enemies.
We've also seen how players can customize their builds with the different skills and talent trees available for each class. Players will be able to experiment different combinations of skills that they can mix and match to truly personalize their characters. Paragon Talents return from Diablo 3, but are now available in ten different paths, further increasing customization options for players who have already reached the level cap.
In Diablo Immortal, you have the opportunity to build a legendary character that demons will fear.
DIABLO IMMORTAL RELEASE DATE
While the game has become available for a select few just a couple of days ago, Diablo Immortal's actual release date has not yet been revealed by Blizzard. We don't know yet when Blizzard plans to release the full game to the public, so for now, it's just our friends from Australia who will be experience the demon slaying. Pre-registration is still on-going, though, so if you want to be one of the first people to get to play the game when it becomes available, register now. You will get news, updates, and launch rewards by doing so.
For now, all we have is the Diablo Immortal Early Access. Hopefully the game's distribution expands to more countries sooner than later so we can finally get our hands on this new Diablo experience.
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