Blizzard Entertainment opened the gates to hell by confirming Diablo 4 will be coming to Steam along with the release of its second season, Season of Blood. As expected, Diablo 4 isn’t doing well, reviews wise. While it hasn’t exactly joined Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 among the worst-reviewed games on Steam yet, things haven’t gone well for Diablo 4.
Diablo 4 has currently garnered a 52% review rating, a far cry from the acclaim it received when it was initially released on Blizzard’s own Battle.net platform four months prior.
The Battle.net launch was a success story, with record-breaking sales ensuring Diablo 4’s position as Blizzard’s fastest-selling game ever. But its introduction to Steam has been less triumphant. Many users have used this platform not only to share their opinions about the game itself but also their sentiments regarding Blizzard as a company. This sentiment is echoed in numerous other critiques that call attention to issues Blizzard has encountered recently. Players have taken issue with the implementation of battle passes, microtransactions that many deem too expensive, and problems with its user interface. Comparisons are even drawn with Blizzard’s Overwatch 2, which despite its free-to-play model, faced its own set of controversies, becoming the worst-rated Steam game ever. However, it’s worth noting that Overwatch 2 still manages around 30,000 peak concurrent players daily on Steam, while Diablo 4 has seen a peak of a little over 5,000, a disparity possibly attributed to Diablo 4’s price point.
Nevertheless, it’s not all gloom for Diablo 4. Many have positively commented on the new Season of Blood and its host of quality-of-life changes. While Diablo 4 is yet to make its mark on Steam’s top 100 most-popular games list, its peak concurrent player count of 5,429 is seeing a gradual upward shift. For the most part, Blizzard has been quick to solve the issues related to the introduction of Season of Blood, albeit it has had to resort to disabling crossplay between PC and console due to technical difficulties.
Blizzard’s acquisition by Microsoft, following a $69 billion deal, adds another layer to the conversation. With Microsoft’s Xbox division hinting at the resurrection of older franchises, there’s speculation about the potential future trajectory of Blizzard games, including classics like the StarCraft series.
After a decade-long hiatus following Diablo 3, the fourth installment was met with much anticipation. Initially received by more welcoming arms, Diablo 4’s Steam release’s mixed reviews stand in stark contrast. Among the criticisms are the game’s pricing model, which many find steep given the inclusion of microtransactions and battle passes. But financial aspects aside, players have flagged UI issues and various bugs that detract from the overall gaming experience. These critiques not only shine a spotlight on Diablo 4’s current state but raise questions about the franchise’s future, especially in an era where gamers are increasingly vocal about their expectations.
However, there’s also a silver lining for Diablo fans. While the first season might not have fully met expectations, Season 2 shows promise. Improvements include a better-functioning horse for enhanced mobility within the game and addition of new endgame bosses. These bosses are pivotal for unique item drops, crucial for character builds. While these show promise, the verdict on the full impact of Season 2 is still out as players take their time to explore the fresh content.
On a cautionary note, it’s worth pointing out that not all reviews might be genuine reflections of gameplay experience. A handful of users leaving negative reviews have clocked less than an hour’s playtime on Steam before posting reviews, indicating potential trolling.
Ultimately, despite the missteps, many believe that Blizzard can course-correct. The Diablo franchise has endured for a long time. There’s hope that Blizzard will continue supporting Diablo 4 longer than any of its predecessors. With visually stunning graphics and a soundscape that sets the game apart as an auditory and visual treat, there’s much to appreciate about Diablo 4. Its open-world adaptation, especially in Season 2, has been well-received, marking it as a standout feature.
