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Diablo III is better on consoles

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Last year in May, after a decade of waiting, fans finally got to play Diablo III. Well, eventually they did – after staring at Error 37 screens and dealing with broken servers because of inadequate planning Blizzard’s part,  forcing people to play their single player games online. And for a while, those people were happy.

But then, REAL Money auction houses, Gold Auction houses, a delayed multiplayer component and a miserable end-game made just about everyone realise that Diablo III just wasn’t as good or engaging as its predecessors. And now it’s coming to consoles, with nearly all of those issues removed. It’s not a port, says Blizzard – because “port” is one of those dirty, four letter words. Instead, it’s been built from the ground up to take advantage of consoles’ strengths.

There are a number of changes to Diablo III – and they make me believe that the game could be better on consoles.

The biggest, and most direct change is that players now have direct control over their chosen characters. By using the left thumb-stick, players can make their on-screen death-dealers move as they like, without having to click a single damned thing. Spells and abilities are mapped to the face buttons and triggers of the controller.  There’s also a new thing, a dodge-roll, that allows players to get the hell out of the way of enemy attacks, making the whole thing more immediate…and fun.

Everything else has been streamlined and simplified to make it an experience better suited to playing from the couch. Gone is the inventory grid, replaced with a radial dial that allows equipment and inventory to be switched out quickly and easily – but you don’t even have to use it, if you’re the lazy sort. The d-pad allows you to scroll through and equip newly acquired gear and loot  on-the-fly without having to see a single menu at all.

Best of all, is that the console versions feature up to four player local co-op – so you can play the game with friends in any combination of on-line or local. you could, say, have one lonely bastard playing with 3 friends at another mate’s place; 4 people all playing the same game from the comfort of their respective couches or whichever other combination suits your fancy.

The game won’t require any sort of authentication through Battle.net or any other service (save for the respective online services of each platform if you play online), meaning you can actually play the whole thing offline.

There’s no real new content for the console versions, so if you’ve already had your fill of the game there’s no real reason to pick it up – but if you’ve not yet travelled new Tristram, you might want to pick it up on Xbox 360 or PS3 when it becomes available for those platforms in September. It’ll also be hitting the PS4 at some point, if you think you can wait that long.

Last Updated: June 27, 2013

80 Comments

  1. RinceWind

    June 27, 2013 at 15:06

    h man, I am worried. *Hides under table before LC arrives…

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 27, 2013 at 15:18

      It’s ok. I’d probably error37 on my way and never get to rant anyway. Pff

      Reply

  2. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    June 27, 2013 at 15:12

    And why is it better on console? Because it’s offline.

    Why they insisted to put it on PC with forced online is beyond me. The worst is the fact that they claimed it had to be done for the auction house. So how in all that is gaming DID THEY circumvent this on console? How is duping items suddenly not a problem anymore?

    They spewed bull at PC players knowing full well they created this game specifically for the console. They used the PC player as a guinea pig to test the game first and work out the kinks!

    Yes the game is better on PC now and is actually becoming more enjoyable but I still have rubber banding and server lag when I am trying to play freaking solo! Why can’t they release a patch to fix us up with some offline play like they have for console?!? Because it was never intended to be primarily run on PC. That’s why!

    ARGh! I shouldn’t get this angry but man, it grills me when my solo play is destroyed because my internet is crappy for whatever reason. Urgh

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

      June 27, 2013 at 15:13

      Hehe, always fun to watch you rant about this 🙂

      Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric N7

      June 27, 2013 at 15:18

      No it is NOT becoming more enjoyable! Its still a load of crap because of the DRM BULL!!! Every time somebody brings up this game it angers me. And now the CONSOLE peeps get 4 player co op?!?!?!
      Wow. Thanks for all my years of loyal PC service Blizzard. If it werent for the awesomeness that is SC2, you and I would be mortal enemies.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        June 27, 2013 at 15:19

        Hence why I said that my solo pay gets destroyed because of the online thing. The game itself has improved but as you said, it’s all offset by the fact that you still need to log in like an MMO.

        “It’s an MMO guys”
        Makes console version an offline version

        Grrrrr

        Reply

        • Ultimo_Cleric N7

          June 27, 2013 at 15:22

          Ya, it makes me sick to hear them say its an MMO. Bull…..flip I cant believe I WASTED R500 on this when it first came out. I gave away the game after 2 months for free becuase I was so dissappointed.
          On the plus side, it could be worse you know……cough…..SIMCITY….cough…

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 27, 2013 at 15:24

            I got to admit with monster power levels and the new paragon levels and some SERIOUS Inferno level tweaking the game is better. Gotta give credit. STill bummed that I have no REAL skill customization. There is nothing that sets my level 60 monk apart from any other monk except my gear. Which is still a pain to grind for

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            June 27, 2013 at 15:28

            meh, if I am gonna grind in a game, I want it to pay off somehow…..sexual connotations aside ^^

      • CrasH

        June 28, 2013 at 10:21

        Wish i could calmly say the mention of the game angers me…
        Was a Blizzard fan boy, but thats over… Since Activision Bought Blizzard… it’s a obvious giveaway that we should have known something is wrong…

        Diablo 3 is just crap, there is no other way to describe it. Same game, with different publisher would have fallen flat on its face within the 1st month.

        And SC2… sell the same game in 3 parts over 6 years?

        Soon to release a card game that will be free, exploiting the last breath of a old franchise full of micro transactions to progress faster.

        Many projects put in Limbo to focus on current IP, not new IP…
        All this sound fimiliar?
        Blizzard is gone, only Activision remains after this merger…

        Reply

        • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

          June 28, 2013 at 10:27

          The company that owns Blizzard, Vivendi, actually bought a controlling stake in Activision – not the other way around.

          Reply

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            June 28, 2013 at 10:29

            Either way, he makes a good point. Blizzard on not what they used to be. What the hell happened to Project Titan??? That was supposed to be the “next big thing”.
            I still love SC2, but WoW is hemmoraging players monthly, and with the release of Elder Scrolls Online and other MMO’s coming to console, I think it will just get worse.
            Blizzard better get their act together.

    • Slade Boender

      June 27, 2013 at 15:20

      Couldnt agree more. And you know whats a real pain in the ass? I actually have a tiny wanting for this game again on PS. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice ill rip your face off.

      Reply

      • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

        June 27, 2013 at 15:21

        FOUR PLAYER LOCAL CO-OP.

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 27, 2013 at 15:22

          Thanx for that *mutters incoherent verbal rants about Geoff under my breath*

          Reply

        • Slade Boender

          June 27, 2013 at 15:24

          I know I know. Im very much in two minds about this. I’ve already given them 800 rond. maybe hustle some one else to buy it and then come over to play 😛

          Reply

        • Brady miaau

          June 27, 2013 at 15:30

          Now I need:

          1) 2 more consoles
          2) 3 friends who would play this

          But, yeah I do get the coolness

          Reply

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            June 27, 2013 at 15:31

            Why 2 more consoles? Or did you mean controllers? 😛

          • Argentil

            June 27, 2013 at 15:32

            Might not know 4 people could play on one screen. That said, how will it work? Any details? I would prefer an option between sharing a screen, and splitting it.

          • Brady miaau

            June 27, 2013 at 16:14

            Controllers, of course, whoops!

    • Brady miaau

      June 27, 2013 at 15:29

      If It’s glass, its better. Console.

      Enough said

      Reply

    • RinceWind

      June 27, 2013 at 15:29

      Good, Good…

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        June 27, 2013 at 15:38

        lol

        Reply

    • Galbedir

      June 27, 2013 at 18:29

      And thats why I now flat out refuse to buy Blizzard games. I know that Blizzard doesnt care anymore, and would much rather support companies like ArenaNet(Guild wars) and CDPROJEKT (Witcher ftw!). My love for Blizzard died with Diablo 2, and Starcraft 2 wasnt to bad.

      Reply

  3. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 27, 2013 at 15:26

    Bloody hell …. local co-op …. now that’s what I’m talking about!!

    Reply

    • RinceWind

      June 27, 2013 at 15:27

      I know! Loving the idea of this!

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 27, 2013 at 15:29

        4 people looting and hacking together on a couch ……………. OH THE FUN !!! …… poor PC guys though

        Reply

        • RinceWind

          June 27, 2013 at 15:29

          Yeah, well, the master race has lots of other stuff 🙂 I’ll get the beers ready!

          Reply

      • Argentil

        June 27, 2013 at 15:29

        It’s still such an attractive feature. Did anyone play Deathspank? Do you think it’ll be something like that?

        Reply

  4. OVG

    June 27, 2013 at 15:30

    SEPTEMBER???

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I know what I will be paying full price for, and it is not for ERROR 360 thats for sure.

    Reply

    • RinceWind

      June 27, 2013 at 15:31

      I like the idea of this man, don’t you? LOCAL play!

      Reply

      • OVG

        June 27, 2013 at 15:37

        just play, who gives a fuck if all four of us can run around with silly avatars looting looting looting hack hack hack with all that shit going on at once.

        We have Borderlands for that and a darn sight better than that PC top view of hack hack hack hack hack hack hack loot LEATHER PANTS

        Reply

        • OVG

          June 27, 2013 at 15:37

          SINGLE PLAYER FOREVER BITCHES!!!

          Reply

          • RinceWind

            June 27, 2013 at 15:38

            I’ll remember than when you’re pissing yourself in DS3 😉

          • OVG

            June 27, 2013 at 15:41

            Pissing myself with laughter at the SHIT weapons that EA forced on us to tease us into buying FUCKING SHIT from the REAL MICRO AUCTION HOUSE or whatever the fuck these people can think of to make more $.

          • RinceWind

            June 27, 2013 at 15:41

            Bwahahahahaha! And a 3! The force is strong with you, OVG.

          • OVG

            June 27, 2013 at 15:43

            I might as well make it a fucking four hay?

            BECAUSE FOUR IS BETTER THAN ONE.

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 27, 2013 at 15:44

            Ok. Killing myself laughing at that one.

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            June 27, 2013 at 15:55

            Diablolololololololol

          • RinceWind

            June 27, 2013 at 15:57

            Yeah, I can’t see him coming over to the darkside, can you?

        • RinceWind

          June 27, 2013 at 15:37

          Good, good… And twice in one article!

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 27, 2013 at 15:40

            @360Mirror:disqus and I have a common enemy

      • Zubayr Bhyat

        June 27, 2013 at 15:49

        Agreed.

        Reply

  5. Argentil

    June 27, 2013 at 15:34

    Y U DO DIS THING, GEOFF??!

    Reply

  6. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    June 27, 2013 at 15:35

    All I had to hear was “always online” and that kept me from buying Diablo 3. Given the issues the title had, and how unsatisfied gamers were, I’m kind of glad I didn’t buy into the hype. Instead, I stood firm, like an oak tree.

    Reply

    • RinceWind

      June 27, 2013 at 15:36

      But oak trees in the western cape take on too much water. become pulp like, and then blow over in mild winds… 0_O

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        June 27, 2013 at 15:57

        Whatever!!! I STOOD FIRM!

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 28, 2013 at 07:14

          That’s not what she said 😛

          Reply

  7. Zubayr Bhyat

    June 27, 2013 at 15:44

    ….And people asked me why I wanted Diablo 3 on my 360.

    Reply

  8. Rags

    June 27, 2013 at 16:04

    The main problem for me is not the auction house and always online. It was the crappy skill system, the horrible story, the worst voice actors in the universe, the shitty washed out wow graphics, the annoying babysitting, and having none of the charm of the previous games. When I picked up ‘magic pants’ I knew the developers where taking the piss with us hopeful followers and the game just kept on downhill from there.

    I will never buy a blizzard product again.

    Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      June 27, 2013 at 19:58

      +1 🙂

      Reply

  9. Natty Dave

    June 27, 2013 at 16:30

    I’ll probably buy this when the price drops, I was really disappointed to hear of all the failings of the game, was glad i waited to buy it though, hopefully they get it right with the re-release. it’s interested to see that square enix is taking a similar plan of action with ffxiv, after a terrible launch, are also re-releasing, it should be interesting also, as their is not a new wow expansion this time, and everyone is pretty disenchanted with that franchise at this point

    Reply

  10. Kromas

    June 28, 2013 at 10:53

    I had way more fun with Torchlight 2 then Diablo 3. Blizzard only caters to my strategy gaming needs now.

    Reply

  11. Paul Fouche

    July 1, 2013 at 13:38

    what the hell!!! why did i buy this on pc… four player local co op is BAWS! ah well finished inferno already so no point carrying on now

    Reply

  12. Shagfox

    July 30, 2013 at 19:43

    Geoffrey, Pokemon Puzzle for the N-64 is one of those masterpieces.

    Reply

  13. Manson71

    September 6, 2013 at 10:53

    Not EXACTLY on topic but I’ll say it anyway…HOLY ****…Just picked up Diablo III for PS3 a few days ago and that’s literally all I’ve been doing (vacation). I can honestly say, after putting 157 hours into Torchlight II…this is a FAR superior game in pretty much every way…seriously.
    Don’t get me wrong I had a lot of fun with TL2…when it wasn’t crashing…but compared to this? TL2 is amateur hour, sorry.
    And I don’t care that Runic is a much smaller studio blah blah blah, that is completely irrelevant. And yes D3 costs three times as much…but it’s also three times the game that TL2 is (at least). Cost and studio size are not relevant, only the quality of the game matters unless you’re Kenny Mccormick.
    Take out the real money AH and the always online feature and there’s nothing significant left to complain about regarding D3.
    And this is coming from someone who had at least 300 hours into Diablo II. Yes, D2 is still the best. But D3 is next in line

    Reply

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