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The beta has been out a while, and it is basically well done and lots of fun! The game is addictive in the same ways as Diablo 2, a nonstop clickfest, grinding and item upgrading bonanza. Graphics is pretty and slick and the atmosphere is good.

Design-wise I thing they've managed to hit the mark and maximise the OCD-addictive mechanics with repetition, collection and gradual incremental improvements. There is an attempt to compensate for this through a story, but it is the standard fantasy fare with undead plagues and whatnot dressed in impressive particle effects.

Monsters drop health globes that heals, which is the primary source of regaining health and supposed to make you stick in there rather than run away or hoard potions. Still, the drops are plenty enough to make it feel a bit too easy. There is also some unevenness to the gameplay with it generally being too simple and then suddenly stomping you. Also, I think I will bore very fast with it, but the beta has given me some hours of entertainment at least.

It feels like Blizzard is holding one's hands a bit too much and making it too easy. Part of the current trend, I guess. That's just my feeling, though.

What's your take?

I didn't get a key so I can't comment on it, but how's the multiplayer? Diablo 2 is one of my fave online co-op games of all time.

They said somewhere that they want "normal difficulty" to be stupidly easy, so that everyone can see all the content.

Diablo 2 almost felt like a minesweeper type of game. It wasn't very deep, it was just meant to amuse you while soaking up some time. The randomized loot, multiple classes and skill trees give the game longevity, but the overall experience was still pretty shallow.

I enjoyed playing it, though.

I probably won't get Diablo 3. I'm waiting for Blizzard to make The Lost Vikings 3.

I'm not in the Diablo 3 beta, but I'll definitely give the game a try when it gets released.

I've played Diablo 2 quite a bit, and it was definitely the kind of game you could put a lot of time into and still have things left to do. It's kind of like Pokemon that way - there's always something you can do to make your characters just a little bit better.

What I disliked the most in Diablo 2 was that hacks and dupes were so common. I didn't really feel motivated to make any progress on the multiplayer aspect of the game since it was so full of cheaters. But I'm sure that Blizzard has designed a better system for this sequel that will help to solve the hacking problem.

yep, by not storing character's data in your computer

Yeah, the normal difficulty is embarrassingly easy all right! :biglaff:

Anyway, Blizzard has understood that co-op was a key feature for fun in Diablo 2 (and in Dungeon Siege) and bots seems to be a mainstay in the single-player campaign. The Beta only contains the first chapter of the game--about an hours worth of game play if you skip the dialogues--but there are already two bots there. Their AI is ok: it doesn't get stuck, follows you closely and picks what to attack and where to position itself acceptably well.

Most levels are still randomised, but they're compiled from larger sculptured chunks, which creates an impression that every level had actually been intentionally designed. That impressed me quite some.

You can see run-throughs of the beta with most characters on BlizShouter's channel (one of my favourite SC2 shoutcasters):
http://www.youtube.com/user/BlizShouter#p/u (http://www.youtube.com/user/BlizShouter#p/u)

i didnt want to play diablo 3 but then someone linked to me the skill calculator and now i want to play

how does that turn out, only having 6 active skills and 3 passives at a time? do you end up using your multiple skills more than in diablo 2 where you left clicked a lot and right clicked once in a while?

I'd say that skills feels more balanced and worthwhile. Most times selecting skills takes a bit of thinking and though one will generally be the main one the other will be used regularly. Skills are also tied into the resource system (f.i. using them generates rage or spirit, which in turn can be used) so they are useful in more ways than in D2. There are few filler skills and even early skills keep being useful into later levels. It is difficult to level further than to 9 in the beta, though, so beyond that I couldn't say.

@Sinclair, here is a video where how co-op works is demonstrated. It requires Battle.Net, which I am not a particular fan of, but works smoothly. But it is generally easy and quick to find someone to play with, and co-op works well and is at least as fun as in D2.
http://www.youtube.com/user/BlizShouter#p/u/42/SDhcHWz6wFg

Wow, I'm surprised that there's really not much of an interest for Diablo 3 here! Anyway, the game is good and everyone that liked D2 will like it. Cheers and see you in the release version! :)

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If we don't like D3 at least we will have "Path of Exile" or "Torchlight 2/MMO" to fill the gap  :toastR:

I like Diablo 1 and 2, but I dont feel compelled to say anything until i am in the beta.

I just think that there's not enough people with access to the beta here  :shrug2:.

Yeah, they've been a bit cheap with them initially, but it is Blizzard standard MO to expand their betas in waves. First a smaller group, this time generally people that have had a Battle.net account with a fair amount of registered activity for quite some time. After the initial beta stage and the last rough edges have been filed away they start pumping out beta keys and starting beta key giveaway promotional competitions and stuff. If you sign up for the Blizzard Beta Program now chances are good you'll get one.

how are rage and spirit different?
have you tried other classes? mana and arcane look possibly more different

what about hatred/discipline

explain this resource system or feel my wrathdisappointment

Rage (actually fury) is the barbarian's power and spirit the monk's. Barbarians build fury with every attack and it dissipates over time. You can spend the built-up fury on your skills and it works ok since most skills are combat-oriented and you gain rage in combat. Monks also gain spirit by attacking, but it doesn't diminish over time and skills usually cost a fair amount of spirit. This creates a big gameplay difference: with the barbarian it will be more frenzied since you will attack attack attack spend rage on skill attack attack etc. With the monk you can back off and use your spirit more strategically.

Wizards use arcane, and it refills constantly. Nothing to see, move along.

The demon hunter has two powers at the same time, each in half the power globe, which are tied to different skills. It is actually a bit messy but not difficult. Both regenerates over time, hatred faster.

This might be subjective, but I feel monks and barbarians are the most streamlined and fun classes.

Have I escaped your fury?

This year is the year of games that end with 3 ???

So was the last one, iirc. No worries, in two years all those games will have the fourth part out.