A spicy teaser for Diablo IV has been dropped by Blizzard, announcing new Horadric Spells offered with the Sins of the Horadrim update on July 1. Uh… let’s just say the reactions on the Internet have not been anything close to cheers-a giant exasperated sigh went around accompanied with some eye-rolling actions.
The official Diablo Twitter account rejoiced at these new powers calling them “merely a taste of what awaits” as they showered us with blessed visuals of the spell effects. But the players? Oh, no! Replies came down faster than a Necromancer raising skeletons, and the vibe was… bad vibes.
I think one player, @aka_kerad, said: “Blizzard, go check out Project Diablo 2.” This is a fan-driven mod which apparently is nailing every aspect-currency, stash tabs, viable builds, meaningful loot. Ouch! Others, like @JemuzuKICK, went nuclear: “No one gives a f anymore. Your team needs to step down.” Yikes.
Then there was another @Kikijiki_, who called the new spells “dumb and basic” with the sarcastic question: “Has Blizzard added another reputation grind? Because nothing says fun like compulsory chores!”
What is the big complaint? Temporary powers. Again. @jayzemadness brought up the pain of building some sweet build, only for it to be gone when the season ends. @rationallin piled on with sarcasm so thick it could be sliced with a legendary sword: “Thank you so much for ignoring all feedback about meaningful endgame!”
Debates went around about what makes Diablo IV feel off compared to Diablo II’s addictive simplicity, a few including @LedKris attempted: Runes, trading, mercenaries-stuff that made D2 a forever game. Neither did @BaldGuyRandy hold back, calling the update “dead on arrival” and a “disgrace to D2’s legacy.”
Well, not all players go about choking on salty reviews or drowning in them. For instance, @bloodmoon8463 was stoked, and @Steel_Battousai thought the Horadrim should be a full class rather than a seasonal add-on, but those voices mostly got drowned by salt waves.
What’s going on? Blizzard found itself in an endless cycle of charme-over-substance seasonal updates, with players begging for some depth, permanence, and… just plain fun. If the charming looks of the Horadric Spells are justifiable somehow, then Diablo IV’s biggest sin is not the Horadri-Mir. There is just so much missing.
July 1 shall decide if the update will ever win a soul. But as of now? Only drowning Diablo IV are scepticism and a few nitty-gritties.
