Diablo + Hellfire

No, I did not care for Diablo II. DIABLO 1 had a unique dungeon crawling experience with a dark fantasy setting. It was simple and that made it perfect. One dungeon. Four attributes to raise every level. No perks. No skill trees. Just like DUNGEON HACK this game is simplistic and that what makes it so appealing. So far the only "Diablo-clone" that can hold the candle to this is GRIM DAWN. I love the graphics style - it's grim dark at its best. The dungeons look realistic and great - even today. GOG's DIABLO comes with an optional HD version (you choose when you start the game). The atmosphere is just great - rarely has a game nailed it like this. And the music - just fantastic. DIABLO is a solid 5 out of 5. GOG's DIABLO comes with its add-on HELLFIRE which was not made by the original designers of DIABLO - and it shows. It moves away from the dark fantasy theme more into an ALIEN theme. It did not care for it - I give it a 2 out of 5.

Yea, it is slightly clunky by today’s standards but it gives you everything you need right out of the box. Amazing atmosphere, addicting and challenging combat, gorgeous art style with pre-rendered 3D sprites, simple story and tons of replay value. A lot of games get you started without long exposition and lengthy tutorials; This isn’t one of them. Start a new game, get your bow, sword or staff, jump into the catacombs and have fun.

At this late point in my 30s, burned by everything in this stinking industry by corporate interest to maximize profits at the cost of artistic passion, coming back to this game is a real eye-opener. Its atmosphere, its mood, its horror, its core gameplay loop... the sound design, the music, the artwork, the multiplayer, the devoted community, the many mods from Belzebub to The Hell and everything in between.... Yeah, I have to admit it after all these years: Diablo is one of the five best games I can name with an unsurpassed and enduring legacy. If you haven't played it, you have no reason not to jump in now. (There's a reason it can't stay out of GOG's Best-Seller list month-in, month-out.)

Yes i am also one of these "old" guys that played diablo back in the day. Although i never played the addon. Having clocked a little over 4 hours again, i've come to recognize things and also not recognize things. What i distinctly remember is the atmosphere and this takes me right back and it does not feel dated at all. Now that does not mean the graphics are top notch nowadays. I am just talking about the whole concept, which feels incredible still. The game has a less colorful scheme and that adds to the theme very well. Sounds hold up really well, those cries in the distance, the music that complements it all. The game gives me a higher scare factor than diablo 2 which i also played an insane amount of time. Good loot is not so easily found, items are limited compared to diablo 2. Yet it fits the game and time period. Things that would not be accepted today i think are the non-auto attack, not being able to run etc. For me this feels like coming home so im fine with that. Maybe a new player will not be entertained. The game can be absolutely ruthless for someone new. I also vividly remember not to get swarmed and often use the doorways to force the enemies through one by one. Some missions/quests i can't remember, like Gharbad the weak, or the one where i had to find the banner. This strikes me as odd and i'm really surprised by it all. And where was Leoric? All in all, i really like replaying this game so many years later. I am looking forward to the addon which is new to me.

Diablo I is the best game in the Diablo series. They really hit that feeling of darkness and terror that happened in Tristram. I recommend everyone to try the game. I recently found a community for an original Diablo game worth joining discord.com/invite/rgPAVcu8Dk