No, you cannot play local split-screen co-op in Diablo 2 Resurrected
Let‘s get this cleared up right away – Diablo 2 Resurrected does not support any form of same-device multiplayer. You and a friend cannot play on the same console with multiple controllers.
The remaster is online-only when it comes to playing together. But don‘t despair, this classic action RPG still offers plenty of great co-op avenues…just not side-by-side on the couch.
Playing Online Multiplayer with Friends
While local split-screen isn‘t an option, Resurrected makes joining up with friends online a breeze:
- Up to 8 Players per Game: Gather a full squad to take on the Prime Evils.
- Cross-Progression Support: Share your adventure across Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Switch!
- Cross-Platform Play: Band together regardless of your platform.
- Easy Drop-In Matchmaking: Quickly join others or invite friends.
This means you have tons of flexibility in how you cooperate:
- Xbox friends can join a PS5 player‘s session and progress carries between platforms.
- A PC party could matchmake to fill the last spot.
- You can transition from solo couch gaming on Switch to synchronous squad gaming on PC.
Online multiplayer really hits the sweet spot between accessibility, progression, and platform coverage. This may surprise fans expecting local co-op, but after some adjustment I‘ve found gaming-from-afar with buddies to be highly enjoyable.
How D2R Multiplayer Compares to Other Diablo Games
Resurrected does differentiate itself from earlier series entries in the multiplayer department:
| Game | Local Split-Screen | Max Online Players | Crossplay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diablo 2 Resurrected | No | 8 | Yes |
| Diablo 3 | Yes, up to 4 players | 4 | No |
| Diablo 4 (upcoming) | Yes, 2 players | TBD | TBD |
Interestingly, the newest and oldest games in the series offer couch play but the remaster does not. We‘ll have to wait and see how much this impacts Diablo 4‘s reception and sales numbers compared to D2R‘s – which were quite excellent.
Diablo 2 Resurrected Sales & Player Response
Since launch, Diablo II: Resurrected has received widespread critical acclaim and fan praise for retaining the magic of an iconic game. As an avid Diablo enthusiast myself, I can confirm the quality and attention to detail is astounding!
Sales numbers also indicate strong momentum with over 5 million copies sold by March 2022. For comparison:
- Diablo 3 sold 3.5 million copies in its first day
- Diablo Immortal pulled in $100 million revenue within 2 months
So while the reception could always be better, the Resurrected remaster is already one of Blizzard‘s bigger commercial successes in recent history. Even without local multiplayer options.
Alternatives for Couch Co-Op Action RPGs
If sharing a screen with a buddy is non-negotiable, no problem! Many alternatives offer great adventures for duos:
- Torchlight II
- Victor Vran
- Path of Exile
- Darksiders Genesis
That last one actually takes place in the same universe as Diablo! So if looting and banishing demons is integral to your couch gaming, check out the Darksiders prequel.
The Future Holds Hope for Local Co-Op
While same-screen gameplay is absent now, I expect future franchise instalments will likely include local multiplayer options:
- Diablo 4 confirmed 2 player split-screen
- Further remasters could happen for Diablo 3 or other titles
- Blizzard may add couch co-op after launch via updates
Fans have made persistent requests for shared-screen functionality. And with Xbox focusing on couch gaming with Series S/X, market trends suggest local multiplayer will return…it just didn‘t make the cut this time with Resurrected.
So don‘t fret that you can‘t currently gather 3 friends in person for maximum demon-slaying action! The online options remain robust and additional local co-op avenues may still open up.
Diablo 2 Resurrected delivers an exhilarating return to form in many respects, propelled by gorgeous HD visuals yet faithfully preserving what made the original great.
The lack of a same-couch option came as a surprise, sparking mixed reactions from the player base. But millions of happy fans prove online-only cooperation still allows for an immensely enjoyable experience.
And hey – fewer fights over which friend has to use the crummy third-party controller! Once you look past the initial shock, Resurrected nails the atmosphere and gameplay to a bloody tee.
So rally your preferred party configuration online to carve a swath of vengeance across Sanctuary…I‘ll see you in the fires of Hell my friends!
