What Type of Game is Diablo?
At its core, Diablo popularized the subgenre referred to as action role-playing dungeon crawlers or hack-and-slash RPGs. This addictive style of game fused real-time combat mechanics with RPG progression systems and dark fantasy themes.
The Defining Gameplay Loop
Across over 20 years and 4 mainline titles, the Diablo games have centered on a visceral and satisfying gameplay loop:
- Exploring randomized dungeons and battling hordes of menacing demons
- Seeing your hero grow in power through leveling up abilities, skills, and gear
- The thrill of hunting for epic loot, with the promise of discovering game-changing weapons or items behind every corner
- Teamming up in co-op multiplayer to take down unrelenting waves of enemies and colossal bosses
This recipe of dark fantasy action blended with RPG progression systems and endless item hunts has made Diablo one of gaming‘s most impactful and replayable franchises.
By the Numbers: Diablo‘s Runaway Success
With over 30 million franchise sales, Diablo has tapped into a clearly powerful formula (Source: Statista). Among ARPG fans, Diablo 2 especially is renowned, with a 91% critic score and 4.5/5 user score on Metacritic.
Image source: Metacritic.com
And with the recent beta for Diablo 4, over 200,000 concurrent viewers flooded Twitch to get an early look, speaking to the anticipation surrounding a return to form for the series (Source: TwitchTracker.com)
Pioneer of Procedural Dungeons, Online Co-Op, and Loot Hunts
Beyond selling millions of copies, Diablo‘s pioneering game designs have reverberated across gaming for over 20 years:
- Procedurally Generated Dungeons – Random level layouts enhanced replayability and kept farming exciting by reinventing maps
- Color-Coded Loot Rarity System – Gradient from white, blue, yellow, gold set the template for tiered loot chase
- Online Cooperative Multiplayer – Playing together revolutionized the experience and became a franchise focus
- Boss Encounters – Set-piece battles that tested skill against screen-filling monstrosities
These innovations have gone on to become genre standards replicated by the countless Diablo-like hack-and-slash RPGs Releases over the past two decades.
The Game That Launched a Genre
To this day "Diablo clone" refers to the horde of similarly dark, gothic hack-and-slash RPGs that have arrived since Diablo carved its niche. Massively influential examples include:
- Torchlight series – Made by ex-Diablo devs, clicked with over 2 million sales
- Path of Exile – Critically adored complex successor often called "Diablo 2.5"
- Grim Dawn – Kickstarted passion project from Titan Quest team
- Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem – Steam‘s most wishlisted ARPG with 10M+ hours played
Image source: SteamCharts.com Top Played Hack & Slash RPGs on Steam
The image above showing 6 Diablo-inspired games dominating Steam‘s most played ARPGs speaks to the franchise‘s lasting impact.
Dark, Gothic Visuals + Occult Themes
Central to Diablo‘s tone are brooding, haunted visuals draped in darkness. Barovia-esque Gothic architecture looms over candles flickering in the night. Demonic altar rooms beckon from bloodstained hallways.
These haunting environs draw you deeper into the game‘s mythology as you battle thespawn of hell – whether goatmen, the undead, or swirling vortexes of spirits.
Image source: Dot Esports
Rather than outright horror, this shifted balance between dark fantasy and occult themes lends a sense of power fantasy. Your heroes don‘t cower – they eradicate hellspawn by the thousands.
Complimented by sounds of combat viscera and brooding scores throughout, Diablo‘s world drags you into the darkness.
Hallmarks of a Multiplayer Experience
Beyond single player, Diablo equally thrives as a multiplayer experience. The most rewarding way for many to play is cooperatively, joining forces with 1-3 friends to test builds against the game’s toughest challenges.
Top players also test their mettle in player vs player Arenas. And the economy of trading rare loot over Battle.net ties the community together.
Image source: Wired – original Battle Chest box art for the Lord of Destruction expansion
This social ecosystem surrounding item hunting and perfecting builds provides longevity beyond the main campaign. The search for god-tier "Holy Grail" items like the Stone of Jordan ring or Shako helmet has taken on a mythology of its own.
The Evolution From Diablo 1 to Diablo 3
Across over 20 years of history and new installments, the core of visceral click-to-slay action has remained at Diablo‘s center:
| Game | Release Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Diablo 1 | 1996 | Introduced genre-defining hack ‘n slash combat, high replayability through procedurally generated dungeons and loot chase |
| Diablo 2 | 2000 | Expanded into 5 distinct character classes each with skill trees, implemented online Battle.Net multiplayer services |
| Diablo 3 | 2012 | Controversially required an internet connection at launch, expanded endgame grind through Paragon leveling system and Nephalem Rift dungeons |
Among fans, Diablo 2 stands as the crown jewel that nailed dark atmosphere while expanding character builds. Diablo 3 saw mixed early reception due to server issues and a colorful art style departing from Gothic roots.
Over time and expansions, Blizzard evolved Diablo 3 into one of PC gaming’s premier co-op hack-and-slashers for those craving a long-term gear hunt.
The Road to Diablo 4
With it‘s last mainline entry launching in 2012, anticipation for Diablo 4 has reached fever pitch. Currently aiming to release in 2024, all signs point to this next chapter returning closer to franchise roots.
Teaser footage showcases 150+ dungeons across stark, snow-swept open worlds. And five reveals classes like the Druid channel the dark magic fans crave.
Most promising is the game’s structure as an evolving, expanding platform with long-term support – free post-launch updates will introduce new regions, dungeons, and classes on a seasonal basis.
Considering the series’ seminal legacy, Diablo 4 may shape up to be the definitive modern torch-bearer for hack and slash RPGs.
Controversy Around Diablo Immortal
Between mainline entries has come an ongoing controversy surrounding Diablo Immortal – the series‘ divisive mobile spin-off.
Criticism has centered on its inclusion of paid boosts allowing players to rank up gear faster for real money. Top Twitch streamer Quin69 infamously spent over $100k proving the game’s pay-to-win model.
In Blizzard’s financial reports, they shared over $100 million in player spending on Diablo Immortal to date. Facing ongoing criticism suggests the series still struggles to balance satisfying progression with monetization.
The Future of Hack and Slash RPGs
As gaming moves into an era of service-based games more focused on long-term engagement, Diablo‘s formula may thrive more than ever before. The satisfying core loop of slaying and looting feeds perfectly into seasonal content and events stretching for months or years.
If they steer clear of pay-to-win missteps, the stage is set for Diablo 4 to usher in a new golden age for the iconic hack-and-slash RPG series upon its release. And the ripples will spread across gaming as we‘re treated to a slew of new Diablo-inspired dungeon crawlers in the years beyond.
