Diablo + Hellfire

GOG have really outdone themselves. I wasn't sure I'd live to see blizzard release this gem, and having GOG do the polish work is just icing on the cake. It's wonderful to install this game and see it running so smoothly. Watching that load time go about 100x faster on SSD vs CD is a thing of beauty. Really enjoying this release.

I'm glad to finally see the release of Diablo I digitally along with compatibility tweaks for those who don't have an access to an older computer capable of running Diablo I properly. Although the game is a lot tougher than its sequels, it definitely is worth playing if your fan of the Diablo franchise or fan of the game like Path of Exile. GOG's rerelease includes two versions: the original vanilla version and the tweaked "modernized" version. The latter one features support for higher resolutions and includes compatibility tweaks for those running Windows 10. I'm running the game on Windows 7 and it runs both versions just fine on that operating systems. Heck, the classic version may even run on even older versions of Windows like Windows XP or Windows 98, since classic version's executable appears to the original one from 1996. Unfortunately, the online play via Blizzard's Battle.net requires the use of classic version at the time of this review and is unavailable on the modern version. Hopefully the support for Battle.net gets added in the future. I can't recommend this game enough. Hopefully this means Blizzard will release more of their games on GOG.

This game has to be in your collection.

"What the hell, why aren't the fallen items outlined up? I'm pressing alt, where's the items? Where's my hotkeys for the skills? Where are my skill trees? What do you mean there's no overly elaborate builds? WHY CAN'T I SEE ANYTHING?" Ah, 1996 was a good year for PC gaming, we had Quake, Duke Nukem, and Diablo. I recall my mother begrudgingly allowing me to buy this game from CompUSA back in the day, and upon hearing the demonic greeting "Ah, fresh meat!", I knew I was hooked. Let's be honest, Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction will always be a rare example of a sequel being superior to the original, but Diablo laid out the framework for modern day ARPG games, and when companies like Crate Entertainment, who made Grim Dawn, think of ways to make games "less" frustrating, they always think back to Diablo. Diablo was grueling, difficult, and rewarding. I hope you'll stay awhile, and play this game.

The vanilla game, does not include the Hellfire expansion add-on. The game has a dark, foreboding atmosphere and everything appears vintage, dirty, and smokey; in stark contrast to later games in the series with their colorful palette. Die-hards of the series want a return to the grim colors, and mood -- within the town and weary folk -- of this game. I recommend this to every gamer, as this was the first roguelike RPG that I've ever completed, I was sucked into the lore and stories completely, thus compelled to finish it once I felt connected enough to the game. In terms of storytelling and pacing, this was the game to play in the mid-'90s; all you needed was an hour or two to learn the game, before getting serious and spending hours to finish it. Once you have beaten the game, the challenge isn't over -- to gradually master all the classes, from Warrior (easiest) to Sorcerer (hardest) will grant you the most exhilarating feeling ever. Play all classes, beat the game with them all, and be a grand-master of Diablo! Here are a few tips for new players: + Play as the Warrior class if you're a beginner, since they can carry the heaviest armor and weapons; along with being the easiest class to master. + Press TAB to turn on the Automap, or you'll get lost quickly. + Hits from the "Black Death" zombies in level four, will take away 1 HP of life permanently! Use ranged weapons against them. + Stand just behind doorways, and wait for enemies to enter them & fight you one-on-one (instead of being surrounded).