Considered one of the best RPGs of all time, Diablo 2 got its highly anticipated remaster in 2021. But is this title truly better than the original? And how does it compare to its successor – Diablo 3?

Undoubtedly, the Diablo franchise refreshed the gaming industry with its innovative mechanics, immersive environments, and rewarding character development system.

Tasked with defeating the devil himself, players — as good guys — explore the world of Sanctuary to try out various combat strategies and collect increasingly better loot.

This series combines a challenge with a comforting experience that plenty find appealing even after many years. But as is often the case, remasters may not be as exciting as the original game versions – to the extent that other installations previously considered defective may end up supreme.

Is this the case of Diablo 2 Resurrected (Diablo 2 remaster) and Diablo 3? Let’s see!

History and Background

It’s fascinating how Diablo II made the first install almost disappear, especially since the Lord of Destruction DLC launch. The first part proved what Blizzard could achieve, while the 2000 sequel took these bold ideas to shine as one of the best hack-and-slash RPGs ever. And it was brave, really, to release a game like that at this time.

Before Diablo 2 classic, action role-playing titles were considerably slower, more predictable, and repetitive regarding the plot or setting. Diablo 2 turned all these familiar features on their heads to demonstrate what a decent action RPG was capable of and sold 184,000 copies on the first day of its release.

2012 saw the emergence of Diablo 3 – long-awaited, dreamed of, and burdened with a heavy dose of expectations. The game sold an impressive 3.5 million copies in the first 24 hours! But although it guarantees a better visual experience, richer audio, user-friendly controls, and smoother combat, players did not appreciate the game as much as good old Diablo II.

Finally, in 2021, we got another new title – Diablo 2: Resurrected. It introduced essential changes, like graphical advancements, mod support, and DLC included. Sounds like a golden opportunity to enjoy your favorite game from the past again, right?

Well, Blizzard’s Warcraft III: Reforged proves some remakes should never come to life, so one might wonder how that turned out for fan-favorite Diablo II remaster. To find out, let’s proceed to the Diablo 2 Resurrected vs Diablo 3 comparison!

Gameplay and Features

Contrary to the fanbase’s loudest opinions about Diablo 3, the game has quite a lot to offer when it comes to gameplay qualities. It’s not as innovative as the original Diablo 2 and its improved features in D2 Remastered – but D3 still expands its foundations to become a more modern, fun, and fast-paced option.

On the surface, both titles look quite alike with their similar character builds, hack-and-slash combat, Sanctuary setting, and varied loot up for grabs. But deeper layers indicate these games are all about massive differences.

The first thing you’ll notice when playing Diablo 3 is the better controls – more intuitive and user-friendly on PCs and consoles. They prove excellent during battles, as both games focus on fast-paced combat against hordes of hellish enemies, but D3 makes this part extremely satisfying.

Diablo 2 is more tactical, complex, and challenging. Selecting this game, prepare for tedious loot chasing and much slower character evolution in a world that is not that generous at giving away its rare items and runes. Character progression in D3 happens almost automatically, allowing a more casual approach to the adventure.

In D2: Resurrected every point in the skill tree or decision matters. It has fewer difficulty levels, offering only three, while D3 features an impressive number of twenty.

Graphics, Audio, and Storyline

It is where the player base often divides, choosing a dark experience over cheerful visuals or vice versa. Diablo II delighted the gaming world with its depressing, disturbing setting of ultimate threats looming over the Sanctuary’s horizon.

The original game had noticeably dated graphics and a serious tone to its engaging story, which evolved in the Resurrected version. Diablo III made all this almost cartoonish, which is why many players don’t like the game.

What about audio? According to players on Reddit, Diablo I and II offer the best soundtrack experience, packed with powerful tracks highlighting the most memorable moments. And just like the darker visuals, the music perfectly emphasizes this game should be scary, serious, and treated with respect.

All this pairs perfectly with Diablo II’s engaging storyline, following five acts of a dangerous adventure unfolding in the miscellaneous Sanctuary’s environment. If it weren’t for a slightly less mature audiovisual setting, Diablo III’s plot could be equally impactful. In the overall vibe category, D2 wins the comparison.

Multiplayer

Both video games offer exciting multiplayer, playing quite a crucial role in the list of significant differences. The older Diablo 3 features classic local or online co-op for up to four players, with patch 1.0.7 allowing the thrill of PvP combat in a dedicated arena.

D2: Resurrected does not feature local co-op, focusing solely on the online experience. It also has no PvP arena, but players can turn hostile towards others.

Multiplayer is closely related to the economy, as trading between players works differently in each of the discussed titles. Diablo III drops trading with each other, while Diablo II: Resurrected improves the inter-player barter system.

Reviews and Player Sentiments

Apart from all the differences mentioned in this short comparison, sentiments for each game are pretty subjective. Many players choose Diablo II: Resurrected due to their massive fondness for the 2000 game, especially since the new version offers the original title and epic DLC included.

But Diablo 3 gathers nearly 20,000 active users per hour, so its fast-paced combat, intuitive controls, and shiny visuals still appeal to masses of dedicated players.

Conclusion and Verdict

To play the game or not, that is the question! While we have helped you discover all the significant differences between Diablo III and Diablo II: Resurrected, you are the only one to decide which game is better.

This decision depends on nuances rather than franchise milestones, as the two are strikingly similar.

Diablo II offers a challenging, complex, and more tactical-focused experience. It is set in a considerably darker environment and supports inter-player barter. Diablo III fares better in gameplay mechanics, providing fast-paced combat, finer controls, and intuitive character growth.

It’s the perfect choice for anyone craving a more casual experience in the epic world of Sanctuary. So which one are you going to choose? Remember to share!