Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

[SoloPopo]

Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

I played Diablo 2 way back when it came out. It was fun, but even then I had this question looming over me: why am I playing after I've beaten the game? I can't deny that the game play is fun, and so is the seemingly endless pursuit of items, but I just don't see the point of playing D2 long term. The problem I have with Diablo 2 is that there is really nothing you can do with all your awesome items once you've acquired them. PvP exists, which is nice, but there is no ranking system, and it is not really encouraged in any way. I recently started playing again with a few friends, but the only thing motivating me at this point is the fact that I have never beaten the game on the hardest difficulty. After that happens I don't see what there is left. I could pursue even better equipment, but there is really no reason. Is there?

I wish Diablo 2 had a rich underground PvP community that was flourishing. Unless I'm mistaken, it exists, but due to the nature of the game it is not flourishing--just kind of slumping along until D3 comes out.

Edit: Just wanted to add that I love Diablo. I don't mean to bash it. It truly is a great game, even so many years later.

 

[FredOfErik]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

Plenty to do. Play HC. Use the items you find to make fun/original/weird builds. Participate in single player tournaments on these forums. You should check out the Single Player Forum for inspiration.

 

[mysticc]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

I played Diablo 2 way back when it came out. It was fun, but even then I had this question looming over me: why am I playing after I've beaten the game? I can't deny that the game play is fun, and so is the seemingly endless pursuit of items, but I just don't see the point of playing D2 long term. The problem I have with Diablo 2 is that there is really nothing you can do with all your awesome items once you've acquired them. PvP exists, which is nice, but there is no ranking system, and it is not really encouraged in any way. I recently started playing again with a few friends, but the only thing motivating me at this point is the fact that I have never beaten the game on the hardest difficulty. After that happens I don't see what there is left. I could pursue even better equipment, but there is really no reason. Is there?

I wish Diablo 2 had a rich underground PvP community that was flourishing. Unless I'm mistaken, it exists, but due to the nature of the game it is not flourishing--just kind of slumping along until D3 comes out.

Edit: Just wanted to add that I love Diablo. I don't mean to bash it. It truly is a great game, even so many years later.

There is a rich dueling community - you have to search via google. Unfortunately, I can't put a link here because it's against the terms of service I believe.

Also, you still have ubers to complete. That is essentially the PvM accomplishment in this game. Beating the game is a lot easier than killing the uber bosses. You'll probably want to do that.

I think a lot of us just like collecting loot and trying new builds, and things of this nature. I like to make builds that are actually quite successful, but people never thought of them, or maybe they are not too popular.

And of course, I love having some kind of a project to work on. I usually get really wealthy each ladder season, so I like to pour all of that wealth into 1 or 2 characters and really make them as awesome as I can. Like just deck them out in the absolute rarest and best items I can either find or trade for. This is fun for me. People usually like to take a look at these characters given the opportunity, just because it represents a kind of achievement. I like playing them whenever I can, or just having them as a trophy. Sometimes I write a guide so others can do what I did if they so choose to - to give them a project to work on.

 

[diabloplayer45]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

Because the replay value is close to unmatched.

Even if you should manage to establish an account with a main character, a magicfinder, a goldfinder and one uberkiller, there is still the PvP area to explore. Even then, if you should manage to create 7 PvP characters (one of each class) and master each one of them, there is still wealth, runewords, lore, crafting, strategy, cubing and plenty of more things to spend time on. You could also just be friendly (like me) and help fellow diablo gamers with the game.

 

[Greizer]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

Why do people keep going after making their first million in a business? Because they can, and because they enjoy the challenge. While D2 could be loads more challenging (a part that I hope will be rectified in D3), there's always new goals since the amount of different chars you can make is close to unlimited, and they all need slightly different gear to be optimized.

 

[Fluffyknowsyou]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

Everything about diablo 2 is inconvenient in a sense, I had to google to find good trades and now I guess I have to google to find duels. Despite this fact I love diablo 2 because there is quite possible no alternative. I've scoured google for a game which comes close to diablo 2 in terms of just plain pvm combat,but the result is all the same:WoW mechanics.

This said, diablo being unique is not the only reason to play the game. I love decking my characters out and trying to new builds. So far I finished a pvp necro and now I'm working towards a auradin and small charms with +5 res and 20 life. After this I have to build 2 more enigmas to reboot my javvy zon and ww barb, but you get where I'm going with this.

As a last resort, why don't you master a pvp char to the point where you can beat modders? :3

 

[Ariadne]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

And if you're a clutch, like me, but do want to play a nice game that is a bit more challenging than, say, Pacman, DiabloII is very easy to play, you don't need an awful lot of help and it's easy to use/navigate without instantly being so hard to play or complicated it puts you off if you didn't happen to be raised on games.
There's all kinds of people in the world and we can't all be very good at gaming.

 

[FredOfErik]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

And if you're a clutch, like me, but do want to play a nice game that is a bit more challenging than, say, Pacman, DiabloII is very easy to play, you don't need an awful lot of help and it's easy to use/navigate without instantly being so hard to play or complicated it puts you off if you didn't happen to be raised on games.
There's all kinds of people in the world and we can't all be very good at gaming.

this, a thousand times.

 

[Ariadne]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

this, a thousand times.

*blush* Thanks, that makes me feeling a bit better about myself actually.

 

[qqbaby]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

I must admit that I just enjoy finding new items and trying to create the best crafted ones I can. Its like a little personal challenge to me. There is always tons to do though and if you find yourself bored in game just hop into a channel and offer to help anyone needing assistance with getting through some levels.. and if that dont work for ya there is always the moo moo farm

 

[tbone503]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

Not to get too deep but the same question the op posed could be made to life itself.

Why live?

Is there really any point? After you've reached your personal goals in life, what's next?

Playing a game like Diablo 2 once you've beaten it has a lot of similarities. And in it's favor you get to kill stuff and find sparkly treasures.

 

[Greizer]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

It's a bit harder to achieve your goals in rl though. Depending on your ambitions ofc. In D2 once I've got enough wealth to setup 8 decked out chars (barring ridiculous circlets etc, I cba to chase those), the emptiness that strikes me is palpable. I'm amazed and horrifed at the time I've spent playing a video game, when I could've studied/learned to play guitar/read a million books/excercized etc etc... Then I give away my stuff, and as the next Ladder season rolls along I've forgotten the grave life lesson and blink blink I go with Sorc again... :scratchchin: Well, I suppose the worst vice is having none at all. I do fear that with D3's rmah this effect of addiction may be multiplied to totally unhealthy levels though...

 

[Blacknec]

Re: Why Play Diablo 2 Now?

I play every ladder reset, its the only online game that I know of that resets everything so you can start from scratch without deleting your characters. This is the main thing that makes it a great game for me, though I wish the resets would go back to a year, dont like the new 6 month reset policy.