| Diablo II: Resurrected | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Blizzard Entertainment
|
| Publisher(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Series | Diablo |
| Released | September 23, 2021[1] |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing game |
| Platform(s) | PC Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4/5 Xbox Series X/S[1] |
| Input methods | Keyboard, mouse, controller |
Diablo II: Resurrected is a remake of Diablo II.
Overview[]
Resurrected is a remaster of both Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. The graphics have been updated,[1] moving from 2D sprites to 3D assets,[2] but can be toggled between the remastered version, and the original graphics via the press of a button.[1] A zoom camera has been added, and all of the original game's cinematics will be remastered,[2] though the audio will be retained from the original game (albeit upscaled).[3] The game supports resolutions up to 4K. The soundtrack has likewise been updated, with support for Dolby 7.1.[4] It is a digital-only release.[5]
The gameplay from the original has been retained,[1] though now runs at 60FPS.[2] There is planned support for cross-progression,[1] though cross-play will not be available.[3] The game can be played both on and offline. A shared stash system has been added to the game. However, ladder characters can't exchange items with a non-ladder character, nor can online and offline characters share items. An auto-gold system has been added, where players can opt-in. Another addition is an item-comparison system, where players can compare the stats of their items, by (in the PC version) holding the shift key. However, the game does not provide a recommendation as to what item to use.[2]
The developers are considering shortening ladder seasons for the game.[2]
The PC version is compatible with controllers.[2]
System Requirements[]
Minimum
- Operating System: Windows® 10
- Processor: Intel® Core i3-3250/AMD FX-4350
- Video: Nvidia GTX 660/AMD Radeon HD 7850
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Storage: 30 GB
- Internet: Broadband Internet connection
- Resolution: 1280 x 720
Recommended
- Operating System: Windows® 10
- Processor: Intel® Core i5-9600k/AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Video: Nvidia GTX 1060/AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Storage: 30 GB
- Internet: Broadband Internet connection
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080[5]
Development[]
By BlizzCon 2018, Blizzard knew that they were making Resurrected.[6] Development began in 2020, after the release of Warcraft III: Reforged. Team 1 was assigned to the project. Reportedly, members of the team wanted to avoid the mistakes that had led to the poor reception to Reforged. However, in that year, a postmortem concerning Reforged was carried out. Team 1 was removed from the project, and development was placed in the hands of Team 3 and Vicarious Visions.[7] It was made clear by Blizzard's then-president that Resurrected would not prevent the original Diablo II from being playable.[8]
When Team 3 started working on the game, they decided to keep all the gameplay aspects of the original game, as well as retaining the original storytelling.[9]
Some source files from the original game were recovered. Game designer Andre Abrahamiam was able to track down assets by going to various individuals within Blizzard, who'd kept the assets in "folders within folders." Months were spent organizing the assets. Blizzard North concept art was also retrieved.[2]
The game was revealed to the public at BlizzConline in February, 2021.[4]
The developers initially considered couch co-op for console versions, in a similar manner to Diablo III. However, due to the way the game is structured, with the character always remaining at the center of the screen, it "didn't feel like D2 anymore."[3]
Alpha and Beta[]
A technical alpha was held from April 9 to April 13.[10]
Pre-ordering the game allowed players access to the open beta, and a Barbarian-themed transmog for Diablo III.[11] A beta was held from August 13 for those who pre-ordered the game, and an open beta from August 20 to August 23. The Druid, Paladin, Sorceress, Barbarian, and Amazon were playable. For Xbox players, Xbox Live Gold was required to partake in the beta. It was not held on Nintendo Switch. The beta covered the first two acts, and progress is not carried over to the full release of the game.[5]
Artwork[]
Team 3 worked on the principle of 70:30 when remastering the game's appearance. The 70 refers to what's untouched from the original, while the 30 refers to "elevated" artwork. A new renderer was developed to make the transition from 2D sprites to 3D models.
Source files from Diablo I were used for reference in some cases when designing the new models.
For locations, the team took inspiration from Blizzard North design documents, referencing real-world locations as inspiration for in-game locations. Team 3 followed the same philosophy.[2]
Prime Evil Collection[]
The Prime Evil Collection is a special edition of Resurrected. In addition to Resurrected, it grants players the following:
- Diablo III
- Diablo III: Reaper of Souls
- Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer
- Mephisto pet for Diablo III
- Hatred's Grasp wings for Diablo III[11]
Images[]
A number of 'cover images' were released via promotional material, showing the three Prime Evils and the Dark Wanderer:
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Diablo II: Resurrected, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 2021-02-21
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2021-02-20, BlizzConline 2021 - Diablo II: Resurrected Deep Dive. YouTube, accessed on 2021-02-21
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2021-02-21, BlizzConline 2021 - Diablo Q&A. YouTube, accessed on 2021-03-11
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 2021-02-19, Diablo 2: Resurrected Remasters Blizzard's RPG Classic On PC And Consoles. GameSpot, accessed on 2021-02-24
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 2021-08-10, PLAY DIABLO® II: RESURRECTED™ DURING THE EARLY ACCESS & OPEN BETA. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2021-08-11
- ↑ 2022-04-25, Diablo Immortal PC First Look – Gameplay + Interview. YouTube, accessed on 2022-04-28
- ↑ 2021-01-23, Blizzard Absorbs Activision Studio After Dismantling Classic Games Team. Bloomberg, retrieved on 2021-02-17
- ↑ 2023-12-19, DIABLO IV's ROD FERGUSSON on GEARS, BIOSHOCK, LIVE SERVICE GAMES & MORE! - Electric Playground. YouTube, accessed on 2023-12-23
- ↑ 2021-03-06, What It Takes to Remaster a Cult Classic Like Diablo II. IGN, accessed on 2021-03-06
- ↑ 2021-04-07, Diablo 2 Resurrected technical alpha kicks off this weekend – here's how to apply. Tech Radar, accessed on 2021-04-09
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Diablo II: Resurrected. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2021-06-14
External Links[]
Core Series — Diablo • Diablo II • Lord of Destruction • Diablo Immortal • Diablo III • Reaper of Souls • Rise of the Necromancer • Diablo IV • Vessel of Hatred
Licensed Expansions — Hellfire • Unearthed Arsenal
Tabletop RPGs — Dungeons and Dragons: Diablo II Edition (The Bloodstone Tomb, The Awakening, Diablerie, To Hell and Back, The Secret Cow Level) • Diablo: The Roleplaying Game
Board Games — Diablo Chess • Diablo III Mahjong • Diablo: The Board Game
Re-releases — Diablo Battle Chest • Diablo II: Resurrected • Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition • Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Canceled — Salvation • Diablo Junior • Diablo 2.5 • Diablo MMO • The King in the North • Project Hades