Report on playing the beta version of Diablo III: "It's a legend... wait, wait... for free!!"

*"A-a-a-a-ark, fresh beta!" - with such a roar I rushed to install the client when the coveted invitation to the game suddenly fell on me. And where did those thoughts about spoilers go, and that I wanted to play the release version right away, not search for bugs in the beta? As if those thoughts never existed: my spirit was broken surprisingly quickly. While waiting for the client installation, I was dancing on the spot, howling (no kidding!) and making other ridiculous movements. I bought a bag of chocolates and a bucket of cola: I was ready for anything and knew I wouldn't be sleeping tonight (and if I did, it would be little and nervously).

So, here is a report on the first impressions of the beta version of [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III).

It is based on a complete walkthrough of the beta as a Demon Hunter, and then as a Wizard.

DO YOU REMEMBER HOW IT ALL STARTED?

The entire overgrown terrain, absolutely all of it

There is an Island of Misfortune in the ocean...

To start off, a few dry facts. It has been two times 10 years since the events of [Diablo II](/games?search=Diablo II) and its expansion. Tyrael destroyed the Worldstone, tainted by the foul Baal, and also left a gigantic crater from the explosion in the heart of the barbarian lands. The heroes who crushed evil have grown morally outdated and retired at once, and only Cain has aged even more but still retains his wit as he rummages through libraries looking for ancient prophecies. These prophecies state that nothing is over yet, and the real fun is just beginning. Indeed! As soon as Cain turns away, a meteor falls from the sky right onto the Tristram Cathedral and this fall does not promise anything good...

This is how we begin [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III). The starting screen offers you to choose a novice volunteer who will be dropped into enemy territory to carry the banner of good and light to remote places. I immediately chose the Demon Hunter, which by the way, I have never regretted. A couple of mouse clicks, and here we are standing on a winding path shrouded in fog, while ahead a couple of corpses voraciously devour someone's remains. If previously your hero could first stroll through safe territory a bit before the tough task forced him to dispatch the first zombie, now these very zombies rush at you as soon as you come into their line of sight. And while these dead bodies won't be able to severely damage your hero yet, the changes in the pace of the game are evident: you are thrown right into the thick of battle, and this is just the beginning. After shooting our first prey (and the Demon Hunter looks at every monster she encounters as prey), we meet Captain Rumford. He commands the militia and protects a small camp of survivors from the undead.

This tiny stronghold is none other than New Tristram, the first settlement on our journey, and the events happening around cannot help but disturb the locals. After the meteor fell on the church, monsters have literally flooded the surrounding lands, and for now, the local militia can barely hold them back. The situation is compounded by the fact that many townsfolk have become infected and started transforming into monsters, Grandpa Cain has gone missing, and the remains of King Leoric, may he rest in peace, have resumed their old ways. Throughout the game, we will have to rescue Cain and a few other lucky ones, lay a train of monsters to rest, and reach the Skeleton King to teach him relaxation and tranquility. In other words, things are bad (as usual!), but with the help of a crowbar and some luck, we can save the town from all troubles. As usual, the enviable role of the defender of Sanctuary falls to us.

WITH A STICK AND WITHOUT ARMOR? WE WELCOME THE HERO!

This is about how we start the game as a bald hero.

The hero, as is proper, starts the game naked and stupid, otherwise he would know how it usually ends for protagonists in the Diablo series.

The main characteristics of the character are still four, namely:

• Attack - increases damage from all skills.

• Precision - increases critical hit chances.

• Defense - reduces damage taken by the hero (any).

• Vitality - increases the hero's life.

All these parameters automatically increase with each level you gain. So after the coveted level-up, you can calmly continue playing: the characteristics will rise by themselves, and you won't have to distract yourself to assign them. Is it good? On one hand, yes, since all heroes gain more individuality, and each level increase enhances differences between classes. On the other hand, within one class, you can't play around much with characteristics, so you won't be able to fully upgrade a spell-casting Barbarian.

In addition to the four main characteristics, you can see three important metrics in the stats window:

• Armor - reduces physical damage dealt to the hero.

• Resistance - reduces damage dealt to the hero: fire, arcane, lightning, cold, or poison damage. In the game, there are now 5 types of resistances (logically: in Diablo there were 3, and in [Diablo II](/games?search=Diablo II) - 4) corresponding to types of damage. Unlike characteristics, increasing armor and resistances is much simpler, and bonuses for them appeared more frequently in the game.

• Base attack - shows damage per second when using your weapon and basic attack.

The character's stats window.

In the inventory window, we can see what your protégé is wearing. The character is originally equipped with simple weapons, so as not to feel too ashamed when communicating with zombies; the rest, as usual, you will have to find yourself. The number of items that can be worn by the hero has increased compared to the second part: now your character can wear a helmet, body armor, shoulders, bracers and gloves, pants, a belt, and boots, two rings and an amulet, as well as pick up a weapon and a shield or two-handed weapon. In general, completely adorned with gear, absolutely all of it! When hovering over a new item, a window opens with its characteristics and, for comparison, the characteristics window of the item already equipped (if any), so you can immediately decide which item to take and which to leave in the inventory. Right-clicking allows us to equip the item on the hero.

However, when it comes to updates, the skills are still at the forefront. Your hero can acquire 6 active and 3 passive skills during his development. Initially, you only have access to 2 active skills; you can unlock new ones by reaching certain levels. Skills can be bound to the left and right mouse buttons and set on keys 1-4 on the keyboard. The main difference of [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) from the second part lies in the fact that the level-up system as such has been abolished. Now you can change the layout of active skills at any moment, selecting exactly those skills with which it is easier and/or more interesting for you to play through the game. You don't need to invest skill points: with each new level, skills improve automatically. For example, my Wizard, upon transitioning from level 3 to 4, gained a damage increase from the Magic Missile from 4-6 to 6-8 units. That is, skills now grow and develop without interrupting the gameplay.

As a player who has spent countless hours in battles for skill points and synergies, I am currently cautious about the new system. If earlier a player faced the tough choice of where to invest that coveted +1 to a skill, now the simplicity of working with skills feels unfamiliar and even a bit frightening. However, on the other hand, there's no need to level up a character under a specific skill tree: you can always redistribute the abilities of an already leveled hero and see which build is more viable under certain conditions. Although this, of course, does not negate the need to find him different gear more suited to the desired goals. Whether this is ultimately good or not, time will tell. Within the beta version, this is excellent because it allows you to immediately assess the entire available arsenal of skills of a particular hero. Skill runes will also be available in the game, but in the beta, you can't test them.

So, you have your trusty stick, here are your two starting skills (which deal significant damage to monsters, by the way), here is your quest - and forward to deeds!

IT'S SO USER-FRIENDLY

In the upper right corner, a mini-map awaits you.

Accomplishing feats in [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) has become somewhat easier.

Firstly, this is aided by an improved map compared to previous parts of the game. It can be dragged around with the mouse, allowing you to view the level in its entirety, and the destination of your journey will flash with a golden circle, so getting lost is simply impossible. The mini-map marks all entrances to dungeons, portals, your chest, NPCs you should talk to, and quest tasks that need to be completed. At first glance, it may seem like you are being led by the hand, but later, when you reach some of the larger dungeons, these markers on the map may turn out to be quite useful. I won't speculate ahead, but if the player no longer has to repeat the feat of running through hellish Durans in search of the portal (those who have run will understand), I will be very pleased.

Moving through the levels, we activate the portal and checkpoint system. Portals, as before, are scattered across locations, allowing us to save time and jump right to where we need to go. Checkpoints activate when our hero passes through a specific location. If you die, your character will resurrect at the last checkpoint. If you played [Titan Quest](/games?search=Titan Quest), this system will be familiar to you. Moreover, now it's easy to escape from long multi-level dungeons: at the end of each, there is a portal allowing you to return directly to the entrance.

If the portal is far away, and you urgently need to get to town, you can use a special Stone of Recall: it works like our beloved portal scroll and will transport you to town where you can then carry out your business, retrieve your favorite weapon from your stash, and charge back into battle. I will talk more about stashes and weapons later, but I will note that the item system has also been significantly improved for player convenience.

By the way! If you love collecting lore about the world but can’t stand waiting for the entire roll to crawl slowly across the screen, I’m pleased to inform you: the game operates under the slogan of "Play, not talk". All dialogues, monster descriptions, stories, and more can be listened to while fighting enemies.

- And this is a carrion-beast, a little nasty creature, - will be narrated by Nikolai Drozdov's voice in the onboard journal while you beat the spirit out of this carrion-beast. It’s nice to know who you’re killing, although my Demon Hunter evidently prefers stories about sending various monsters to their ancestors.

In the journal, you can find all the information of interest to you: stories about people, the world, monsters, current quests, and so on. Quests, it’s worth mentioning, can be unfolded in a list just under the mini-map: there it will briefly say what you need to complete a particular quest and where to head for it. Thus, all current open quests are always in front of your eyes, and if this list annoys you, you can close it. You can also view the list of the last dialogues and actions performed by your character. So if you helped a grandma across the road, it will definitely be documented.

However, if you relaxed and think the game will be a walk in the park, you are mistaken. All these pleasant bonuses are balanced out with a bloody gameplay that is more action-packed than ever.

CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!

Boom! I said, die! Boom!

[Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III), judging by the impression left by the beta version, is a worthy successor to the series, adhering to traditions while introducing new elements into the game. The third part is as differentiated from the fan-favorite second part as the second itself was from the original series. However, the gameplay and overall style of the game are still recognizable, so fans of the series will have no trouble navigating it and starting to play right away. For those just getting acquainted with the world of Sanctuary, it won't be difficult to settle in: there are enough hints in the game, and the interface is quite straightforward and intuitive. Here’s health, there’s energy, and there’s the first enemy rushing towards its demise, which is to say towards you. A second - and your brand new hero is already delivering a couple of warning shots to the face of the hellish creature. And off we go!

While the core remains the same (we rush through levels and kill enemies), the pace of the game has noticeably changed compared to [Diablo II](/games?search=Diablo II). Now you have to run much faster, dodging spells flying at you and parrying the rain of blows coming your way. While the beta version cannot be labeled difficult (Blizzard themselves noted that even your grandmother could complete it), it certainly implies that you won't be able to relax: they won't let you. Every new monster you encounter lunges at the hero as if it had been waiting for him for a good decade. Now imagine that there are many such monsters, and they are all just as eager. Even zombies, traditionally known for their sluggishness, come rushing at you with an unusual zeal. Just a couple of seconds - and around you, a ring of enemies is tightening, as new monsters flicker behind their backs. So prepare for fiery battles!

Fights now occur much more dynamically. My Demon Hunter found herself in situations where the battle tactics had to change by the second, employing several active skills simultaneously. Chain those enemies with Entangling Shot, send Hungering Arrow at that big slow one, and wipe out a pack of advancing carrion creatures with Fan of Knives. All this - in mere seconds, while constantly on the move. Initially, while these carrion-beasts and demons may not be too much of a bother, as the game progresses they can really give you a nibble on the heels.

And now these grotesques are unleashing a wave! Wheee!

Adding to the fun are some larger monsters, for example, grotesques. This huge hulking beast, resembling an angry brother of a marshmallow man, can hit you while still alive (he has plenty of health), but also after death: a killed grotesque explodes, releasing a horde of corpse worms which naturally attack you. Or take the big zombie: it’s destined to be thick and rather slow. However, your hero's finishing blow might well... tear the zombie in half, with the upper half scuttling across the ground trying to settle the score for lost legs.

- They were long and slender! - these zombie tops seem to say, flailing their arms all over while grasping at the ground. You can only dodge them and shoot at this oddity with both barrels.

However, even demons have their match. If your arguments (i.e., attacks) are not compelling enough, you can do a total cleanup of the monsters by using the surrounding world as a weapon. Sometimes all you need is to look around, and suddenly the wave of undead doesn’t seem to be such a serious problem after all. Smash! - and the wooden beam splinters, while the wall it was propping up crashes down onto your enemies with a roar. Just one sweeping action brings down ten foes! And for such a fortunate act, you also earn bonus experience. The game ensures you fight, fight, and fight again. Whether it’s common mobs or bosses, that’s not really important. Although, unfortunately, you won’t be able to crush the boss with a chandelier: their heads are just too sturdy.

Battles with these big fellows (and I've encountered quite a few, from the “ordinary” bosses to the quest monsters) proceed somewhat differently. Most bosses, as expected, have remarkable health and a good sense of humor. There’s no better tactic for them than surrounding you with their minions and then delivering some nasty hit while you fend off the help. Thus, in battles with hefty opponents, you always need to keep your ears open and strike both the main ratbag and his entourage. When you kill enough ordinary monsters, you will surely have a decent stock of health orbs, and with those, any boss, even the thickest, turns into a punching bag. For example, when fighting Leoric, it’s not only important to attack the dead tyrant but also to regularly butcher his skeletons to harvest the precious orbs. This way, even a solid whack from a hammer on the head won't be as serious a problem.

The Templar and the Wizard will give anyone a run for their money!

To make it even more fun, you will be joined by a Follower, a loyal companion and an excellent fighter. However, before he can swing a sword alongside you, he needs to be rescued, just like a princess from the claws of a cannibal. Instead of a cannibal, we have cultists who are apparently ready to turn our friend into several necromantic mannequins. Fortunately, the Demon Hunter, who appeared at the most inconvenient moment, interrupted the ritual and saved the unlucky warrior. After that, the Follower became so grateful that, upon finding his armor, he transformed into a Templar and wielded his spear on the front lines during our further wanderings. Apart from helping in battles, the Follower can take the edge off the burdens of wandering by engaging your hero in short but very curious conversations. What a talented individual: he can swing a sword and chat at the same time.

The Follower isn’t the only one who will join your band of evil exterminators. On the way to Leoric's remains, you will come across the Blacksmith, whose wife is mortally ill and soon to turn into a monster. To garner the support of this fine fellow, you’ll have to descend into the local zombie den and help the blacksmith put his wife to rest. Afterward, he won't just tell you where to look for Leoric's crown needed for the summoning ritual; he’ll also help you with his hammer and anvil. And if you don’t spare your time and resources to find the Pages of Training, the Blacksmith will enhance his crafting skills and be able to create increasingly powerful and high-quality gear. Everything your heart desires. You can immediately test new armor or weapons in battle. In other words - fight, and let it be rewarded!

TABLETS FOR GREED

By the end of the beta, items start dropping like crazy...

By the way, speaking of rewards. I haven’t mentioned yet that [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) is a game for true greedy ones? So here it is. Items, gold, and more items, and more gold rain down upon you from every direction. Mass slaughter of monsters turns into not only extra experience but also a gold shower. From chests, urns, graveyards, wells, hideouts, and hatches - loot drops from everywhere, and your hero picks up gold automatically just by running past piles of coins. This can only be pleasing.

An additional nod to treasure hunters is a little critter with a bag on its back - the Treasure Seeker. This nimble little nuisance scurries about the location, dropping gold coins every time you hit it, and in the end, when it sees the odds are against it, attempts to escape through a portal. However, my Demon Hunter couldn’t let a single Treasure Seeker escape: her arrows caught up with them all, so I was rewarded with tasty loot from this monstrous greedy creature every time.

Of course, such a tide of loot needs to be stored somewhere, and here we have not only a decent-capacity inventory paired with a large stash but also two useful contraptions: the Cauldron of Jordan and the Nephalem Cube. The first allows us to sell items for gold straight from the inventory, and the second transmutes items into materials. A note for skeptics: both devices are quite useful, and I spent not a second on tedious trips to vendors and back. At the same time, every piece of loot found has found its purpose, and by the end of the game, I had accumulated enough gold and resources. And even though I haven’t needed to spend them yet (not at this stage of the game), it’s nice to realize that you're not throwing anything on the ground, and all the items you've found are being used. It will definitely come in handy, as they say. There will surely be a use for gold too. If not, then you can admire your treasures. By the way, you won't just be admiring them.

WHAT LIES IN THE DARK

"I'll show you a lack of darkness!"

If you are still worrying about the graphics, I’m here to reassure you. The first thing that comes to mind when you start playing is that it’s still the same Diablo with adjustments for time and surrounding reality. To those who criticized the game for its cartoonishness or accused it of a lack of gothic elements, I assure you: it’s dark and gothic! And bloody! Forget all talk about rainbows and unicorns: the beta version leaves no room for them. Even the golden flashes of spells and the brightly blue glow of the catacombs contribute to creating an atmosphere that is anything but cheerful. It’s the same dark, mysterious Sanctuary that we've known and loved since 1997. It continues to teem with horrors and dangers, and it will never let you forget where you are. From the very first zombie you kill, you immediately dive into the game, stick to the monitor, and cease to react to external stimuli: what happens on screen possesses a unique demonic magnetism.

Your protagonist fits perfectly into this dark world. The hero figures are recognizable from afar, and as you zoom in, you can easily see their gear. It’s pleasant, although admiring your hero will likely only last for about the first 5 minutes until you encounter the first horde of enemies. After that, there won't be time for that, although, I won't hide it; it’s enjoyable to fight with a charming and agile character. Both the Demon Hunter and the Wizard look absolutely delightful in the game, and running around for them is a joy. Each hero has their own movement style, their own animations and quirks, which only accentuate their character and enhance the experience of playing as them. For example, the Wizard, who, as we remember, is just a young, albeit powerful