Diablo II

Quick Info
Mods available?	Yes
Year released	2000
Available from	Bnet (D2) Bnet (D2R)
Category	RPG
Time to Beat	34.5 Hours
Played?	Yes
Game length via HowLongToBeat

Diablo II is the follow-up to the first Diablo game, both developed by Blizzard North and designer David Brevik. The game expands on many of the systems introduced in the first game, adding a wider world, more character classes, and greater complexity. Many consider it to be among the pinnacle ARPGs, and its influence can be seen in more modern games such as Path of Exile, Grim Dawn, and Last Epoch.

The game is available from the Battlenet store in two versions — classic (the original 2000 release) or Resurrected, a lovingly crafted remake by Vicarious Visions in 2021. Both versions include an expansion pack titled Lord of Destruction, which adds a new act, two new character classes, and a host of itemization changes.

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Why should this game be played?

For many, this is THE ARPG — Diablo II and its expansion Lord of Destruction representing the absolute pinnacle of the genre. With the release of Diablo II: Resurrected, that argument becomes even more compelling.

The title is a great example of the gameplay loop that makes ARPGs so addicting. Playing through the five acts across three difficulty levels has your character fighting bosses and completing quests through varied environments. Once the endgame is reached it may not match modern expectations — most of the grind consists of running the same bosses or areas hoping for that elusive drop. But picking out a farming route for a given evening, hunting for a runeword component or a prized unique, can be genuinely cathartic. Players who want to push further can seek to complete the "holy grail" — collecting every unique in the game — or trade on the online ladder, or simply revisit the game every few years when the itch returns.

Where to get the game

Diablo II and its expansion are available in classic form for $9 USD each through the Battlenet store. Diablo II: Resurrected sells for around $38 USD but regularly goes on sale for $13 USD and is well worth it.

• Diablo 2 Classic
• Diablo 2 Resurrected

Lord of Destruction Expansion

Released just over a year after the original, Lord of Destruction built substantially on what made Diablo II a hit. The expansion added:

• A whole new act centered around the birthplace of the Barbarians
• Two new character classes — the Druid and Assassin
• New items, runewords, and itemization overhaul
• An expanded stash and improved mercenary functionality
• Resolution increase to 800×600 from 640×480

Classic and Resurrected Versions

Diablo II: Resurrected is an example of a remake done right. Vicarious Visions didn't make sweeping changes — the result is more an HD overhaul and quality-of-life pass than a full remake. A shared stash, larger inventory, Sunder Charms, and Terror Zones were added. Even the classic graphics can be toggled back with a hotkey.

Available Mods

There are many mods available for both classic D2 and D2: Resurrected. The more expansive total conversions are primarily available for the classic release due to restrictions in Resurrected. For a completely new experience, Median XL is a long-running (~38 seasons) total conversion providing new skills, crafting systems, gear, uniques, and end-game content. It is, for all practical purposes, a standalone game.

Mod Installation

For most total conversions such as Median XL or Path of Diablo, dedicated launchers with clear step-by-step instructions are provided. For Diablo 2: Resurrected, a mod manager makes the process straightforward and can be downloaded through Nexus Mods.

• D2R Mod Manager — Nexus Mods

Reading Materials

The books Stay Awhile and Listen by David L. Craddock cover the development of both Diablo I and II, including the full history of Blizzard North — well worth the read. Erin Schaefer's post-mortem on Diablo II is also an excellent design-focused read available online. A dozen novels set in the world of Sanctuary are also available, several covering the events of the second game directly.

Additional Resources