Diablo IV Review

Publisher: Blizzard

Released: June 6, 2023

Updated: 4 months ago

#5 for art direction #7 for sound design #8 for multiplayer design

4.1

Overall review score

286

Review insights

Scored features

Expert reviews

Bottom Line

Choose Diablo IV for slick combat, loot-driven buildcraft, gothic atmosphere, and strong endgame variety. Skip it if weak story pacing, costly cosmetics, online-only friction, or repetitive grinding will bother you.

Best for

Best for ARPG players who enjoy combat-heavy loot loops, build experimentation, dark fantasy atmosphere, and long-term endgame progression. It also suits players who want flexible solo or co-op play across a large shared world.

Not for

Not for players who need a consistently excellent campaign, offline play, frictionless servers, or a game without live-service monetization. It may also frustrate players sensitive to gore, repetitive grind, or expensive cosmetic shops.

Verdict

Diablo IV’s review evidence points to a lavish, highly polished ARPG whose strongest appeal is not reinvention but refinement. Combat, loot, buildcraft, audio, art direction, and endgame systems receive repeated praise, and several reviewers found the base game and Lord of Hatred expansion hard to put down. The main tradeoff is that its most compulsive systems sit beside inconsistent storytelling, uneven pacing, and live-service friction. Some reviewers loved the darker narrative and expansion arcs, while others criticized filler, predictable quests, or ham-fisted writing. Monetization also remains a sore spot: cosmetic-only purchases rarely damage play, but high prices and battle pass layers drew pushback.

Feature Scorecards

Very positive 4.5-5.0

31 (37%)
Positive 3.5-4.4

32 (39%)
Neutral 2.5-3.4

15 (18%)
Negative 1.5-2.4

5 (6%)

Pros highlights

narrative quality

4.1

18 reviews moderate consensus
narrative quality: 4.1, 18 reviews, moderate consensus

Narrative drew broad but mixed praise: many reviews liked Lilith, Mephisto, or expansion arcs, while several criticized weak, predictable, or ham-fisted storytelling.
endgame content

4.3

16 reviews moderate consensus
endgame content: 4.3, 16 reviews, moderate consensus

Endgame was heavily discussed and mostly praised, especially day-one systems and War Plans, though a few reviewers found later loops lacking.
character roster

4.5

14 reviews strong consensus
character roster: 4.5, 14 reviews, strong consensus

The roster was praised overall for fun, distinct classes, especially Warlock and Paladin, though some reviews preferred one class over another.
fun factor

4.3

12 reviews strong consensus
fun factor: 4.3, 12 reviews, strong consensus

Fun factor was broadly positive across base game and expansion reviews, even among reviewers who criticized story or systems.
skill tree depth

4.3

12 reviews strong consensus
skill tree depth: 4.3, 12 reviews, strong consensus

Skill trees and buildcraft were heavily covered and mostly praised for flexibility and depth, with some caveats that changes could be overstated or twig-like.
combat system

4.7

11 reviews strong consensus
combat system: 4.7, 11 reviews, strong consensus

Combat was one of the strongest points, with repeated praise for precision, satisfaction, and tactical chaos; only one review framed it as more uneven.

Cons highlights

monetization fairness

3.0

6 reviews strong consensus
monetization fairness: 3.0, 6 reviews, strong consensus

Monetization was mixed: cosmetics were not intrusive or pay-to-win, but reviewers repeatedly criticized high prices and paid layers in a full-priced game.
quest design

3.3

6 reviews low consensus
quest design: 3.3, 6 reviews, low consensus

Quest evidence was split between strong praise for rewarding side content and complaints that some side quests were mundane or one-dimensional.
server reliability

3.3

4 reviews strong consensus
server reliability: 3.3, 4 reviews, strong consensus

Server reliability was mixed: some reviews saw stability, while others reported lag, disconnections, or rubber-banding.
pacing

2.3

3 reviews strong consensus
pacing: 2.3, 3 reviews, strong consensus

Pacing was a recurring weakness, with reviewers criticizing filler errands, shocking plot pacing, and overly cinematic stretches.

View all 83 feature scores

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Video Games, this product is above average in user interface design, map and navigation design, loot system, near average in quest design, DLC value, below average in protagonist appeal, mission variety, age appropriateness.

Above average 0.4+ pts higher

48 (58%)
Same as average within 0.3 pts

23 (28%)
Below average 0.4+ pts lower

12 (14%)

Largest category differences

Attribute	This product	Category average	Difference
protagonist appeal	2.0	3.7	-1.7
mission variety	2.0	3.5	-1.5
age appropriateness	2.0	3.3	-1.3
user interface design	4.5	3.3	+1.2
map and navigation design	4.4	3.2	+1.2
innovation	2.8	3.9	-1.2
loot system	4.6	3.4	+1.2
endgame content	4.3	3.5	+0.8

Consider This Instead

If you want better innovation

Choose Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence. It scores 5.0 vs 2.8 for innovation, with a 4.0 overall score.

Compare

If you want better endgame content

Choose Forza Horizon 5. It scores 5.0 vs 4.3 for endgame content, with a 4.3 overall score.

Compare

If you want better fun factor

Choose Street Fighter 6. It scores 4.9 vs 4.3 for fun factor, with a 4.2 overall score.

Compare

If you want better age appropriateness

Choose Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for age appropriateness, with a 4.0 overall score.

Compare

Diablo 3

Compared: approachability GamesRadar positioned Diablo IV between Diablo 2’s complexity and Diablo 3’s approachability.
Compared: combat lineage Ars Technica recommended Diablo IV to fans of Diablo 3’s combat.
Worse: server stability Eurogamer said Diablo IV’s stability worked out better than Diablo 3’s infamous launch.

Diablo 2

Compared: complexity GamesRadar positioned Diablo IV between Diablo 2’s complexity and Diablo 3’s approachability.
Compared: atmosphere lineage Ars Technica connected Diablo IV’s atmosphere to Diablo 2.
Similar: franchise tone The reviewer says Diablo IV’s tone aligns more with Diablo 2 than Diablo 3.

Path of Exile

Compared: endgame structure Stevivor compared War Plans to endgame systems familiar to Path of Exile players.
Compared: combat inspiration IGN framed Diablo IV as borrowing some combat inspiration from Path of Exile.

FAQ

Is Diablo IV mainly praised for its story or gameplay?

Gameplay receives the strongest and most consistent praise. Story reactions range from strong approval of Lilith, Mephisto, and expansion arcs to criticism of filler, clunky pacing, and predictable plot beats.

How good is the endgame?

Most reviewers praised the endgame, especially the day-one systems, Nightmare Dungeons, Helltides, PvP zones, and later War Plans. A few reviewers still found the long-term loop or expansion additions less compelling.

Does Diablo IV work well solo?

Yes, reviewers frequently played solo and still praised the combat, progression, and exploration. The always-online structure can still introduce server, lag, or immersion issues even for solo players.

Is co-op worthwhile?

The evidence is positive for co-op, with reviewers praising easy grouping, level scaling, and cross-platform play. Some also liked the social layer from world bosses, clans, and trading.

Are microtransactions a problem?

Reviewers generally said the shop is cosmetic-only and not pay-to-win, but several criticized high cosmetic prices, paid battle passes, and the presence of monetization in a full-priced game.

Is Lord of Hatred worth it?

Evidence is mixed-to-positive. Reviewers praised Warlock, Skovos, War Plans, and the stronger story conclusion, but some called the campaign or endgame additions a hard sell unless you already want more Diablo IV.