Although players won’t be able to get their hands onDiablo 4until sometime in 2023, excitement for the long-awaited sequel is already at a fever pitch. First announced at BlizzCon 2019,Diablo 4is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2012’sDiablo 3and will continue the story of Sanctuary and the Eternal Conflict.Diablo 4has already been pushed back to 2023 after high staff turnover within Blizzard Entertainment, and fans are more eager than ever to hear about the mysterious title.
Despite the reveal of the return of Lilith as the (presumably) main antagonist to cause chaos throughout Sanctuary, not much is known aboutDiablo 4’s story.Blizzard has discussed some of the game’s features, but fans are still in the dark about a lot ofDiablo 4. With such a long time between its announcement and the game’s potential release, players will need more to keep their interest piqued. Thecinematic reveal trailer forDiablo 4may have made a splash, but Blizzard can’t just rely on that and past updates to get gamers excited about the game. Information has been drip-fed to fans over the years, but now seems like the perfect time to delve a little deeper into things like the next class forDiablo 4.
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Classes That Have Already Been Revealed
Thefirst threeDiablo 4classeswere revealed way back in 2019, with the initial announcement of the game at BlizzCon 2019 highlighting the Barbarian, Sorceress, and Druid classes. The Rogue class was revealed much later during BlizzConline, with a mysterious fifth class still to be announced. Much likeDiablo 2andDiablo 3, the game will launch with five classes, with players speculating if more might be added in future expansions or updates like with the previousDiabloentries.
Classes offer players different ways to approach combat and an individualized skillset with their own weapons, abilities, and gear. With the powerful brutality of the Barbarian, thetactical spellcasting of the Sorceress, the elemental attacks and shapeshifting skills of the Druid, and the ranged or stealth abilities of the Rogue, gamers have plenty of choices when it comes to their playstyle. Players might think they know what to expect with returning classes, but it seems likeDiablo 4is making some changes and offering its own take on how the class system will work.
During the extended look at the Rogue class, Blizzard revealed thatDiablo 4will feature class-specific quests, shaking up the previous formula ofDiablostorytelling and using player choice to help shape the narrative. TheDiablogames have always had a strong narrative element that centers the dungeon crawler action, and no doubtDiablo 4will follow this trend. But adding more character-specific elements definitely adds another layer to the game’s storytelling. This is a fascinating new direction for the game, as it not only adds to the value of multiple playthroughs but also establishesDiablo 4as a fresh direction for the series.
More Reveals On The Horizon
The four classes revealed so far will all be playable at launch, and each has received an in-depth look with gameplay demonstrations and details about their various skills and abilities. While some players are hoping for the return of anotherolder class first featured in a previousDiablogamelike a Necromancer or a Paladin, the fifth class still remains a mystery. Some have speculated that it might relate to Intelligence or Dexterity to give an even spread of attributes across the five classes alongside the others already on offer, but fans are no nearer to guessing what the next class might be.
The longerBlizzard waits to reveal this mysterious fifth class, the more expectation will build, especially as it’s been left until last. This potentially points to something special and new, which some fans would definitely welcome. A reworking of a classic role could also work, butDiablo 4really needs to deliver on its slow rollout of updates if it wants to keep player interest. Another in-depth look at the fifth class' gameplay would be perfect for the next update, especially as news has been a little thin on the ground in recent months.
With such a hefty gap in between mainline entries already – expansions andDiablo 2: Resurrectednotwithstanding – there really isa lot of scrutiny onDiablo 4and what it will offer players. Classes are an important part of how gamers experience the title, and making sure they’re distinct and interesting is key, as well as giving players a good spread across different skillsets to offer varied approaches to combat. It is also a way to tie in the expansive lore of theDiablofranchise, and there are a lot of great roles to choose from when it comes to the fifth class. Either way, players have already been waiting a long time for the fifth class, and it’s time for Blizzard to show off its final launch character.
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How Diablo 4 Is Shaping Up
Players know thatDiablo 4will take place a few years after its predecessor and will focus on the newly summoned Lilith who returns to Sanctuary after being banished by Inarius. In terms of tone,Diablo 4looks to be returning to the darker, grittier look and feel of the earlier games overDiablo 3’s aesthetic and will be fully embracing the series' classic dark fantasy inspirations.Diablo 4will also feature hundreds of dungeonsand five distinct regions, with environmental factors like weather and lighting having a more prominent role in setting the scene and building on the atmosphere ofDiablo 4.
WhileDiablo 4won’t be a traditional MMO by any means, it will exist in a shared online world where other players can participate in world events and be found in various towns and areas outside of dungeons, as well as giving the option for PvP. This won’t affect an individual gamer’s experience of the story, but it’s an interesting element that might help to flesh out the wider world ofDiablo 4.WithDiablo 4’s hugely in-depth character creator, players will have the chance to shape their protagonist like never before, which will add to the other intriguing aspects of the game and hopefully make the latest entry in theDiabloseries an elevated example of the franchise’s formula.
Diablo 4is in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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