

Blizzard is promising improvements and they can’t come fast enough to satisfy players who are becoming frustrated with not being able to play. ’s realm servers have been consistently overloaded since the game’s release and in many cases have been completely down for hours or even days at a time. While the idea of the realm games is great, Blizzard has some serious problems when it comes to implementation. For most players realm games have quickly become the standard - the extra security allows players to trust people they meet.

Since they are stored on the servers they’re available from any machine (unlike the open characters) and they’re considered more secure. Realm characters live on and can’t be used in any games other than on the secured realm servers. These characters live on the player’s machine and are potentially open to being hacked or modified (in fact cheating is already becoming common in open games). Open characters are used in single player games, as well as LAN games, games hosted on private TCP/IP servers, and games hosted in the open section of. There are two types of characters in the game: Open and Realm. Blizzard has added other features to enhance multiplayer gaming, including a secure trading system that allows players to swap items and cash without risk. Since the maximum number of players that can join a game has been increased, it’s possible to have two or more parties in the same game.

Players aren’t automatically allied when they join the same game - they must elect to team up. For example, the auras generated by Paladins apply to all members of the party, as well as any allies they’ve conjured or hired. When players team together to fight, their powers augment each other. While the single player game is a lot of fun, Diablo II really shines in multiplayer. Each piece of a set has enhancements and special powers, but when combined the entire set grants one or more additional bonuses. These gems can also change the look of the item when it’s equipped, making your character’s appearance in the game much more customizable than in the original Diablo. During your adventures you will find gems of different quality levels that can be put into the sockets, granting the items new abilities. Socketed items act like regular weapons, helms, and shields, but have one additional feature. The Sorceress’ skills are her spells - no more hunting for a tome so you can learn a new spell, just spend the skill point and you’re there.Īnother major difference is in the variety of items available and the all-new socketed items. Each skill point earned allows you to increase one area of expertise. Your character will gain new abilities each time he or she increases a level and also as a reward for some quests. Barbarians and Amazons are master fighters, although they differ in their preferred choice of weaponry. The Sorceress uses the powers of magical fire, cold and electrical energies to unleash devastating spells.

Necromancers are masters of summoning, bringing fourth bands of undead warriors and golems to fight at their behest. The Paladins skills focus on Auras that either protect or enhance their abilities as well as their allies. Each of the five classes has a skill tree of possible skills, no two of which are alike. There are five different character types in Diablo II: the Barbarian, Necromancer, Sorceress, Amazon, and Paladin. While the overall feel of the game is familiar there are several significant differences - the two you‘ll notice first are the character classes and the way skill advancement works. Other missions include recovering lost or stolen items from dungeons and crypts, finding arcane items and ingredients, and destroying the demonic minions that infest the land. You even get to visit the now destroyed town on a mission to rescue one of the townsfolk. The first act centers on an Amazon camp near Tristram (the town originally featured in Diablo). Basic movement and attacks are virtually unchanged and while the graphics are greatly enhanced, they retain the flavor of the original game. The gameplay in Diablo II is very similar to the original fans of Diablo are going to feel at home almost immediately.
