Diablo 3: Necromancer, Diablo 1 Recreation, And Two New Zones Announced
Blizzard co-founder Frank Pearce took to the stage to share Diablo 3 news some of us have suspected for the last week. Afteral, it is a big year for Diablo:
“An event that in many ways represents the battle between good and evil, truth versus corruption, egomaniacal madness versus humanity's hope for the future" said Pearce. "I am talking, of course, about Diablo’s 20th anniversary.”
To celebrate, Blizzard is recreating a Diablo 1 inspired dungeon within Diablo 3's world, to be released as part of the Darkening of Tristram Patch. Sent back in time, players will traverse a 16 floor dungeon featuring all of the bosses from the original game; I've missed OG Butcher.
What's even better, the Diablo 1 dungeon will feature art and sound from over 20 years ago, including a pixelated-grainy look—what Pearce called "Glorious Retrovision"—and only eight directions of movement. Will I be able to clone items using red potions too? C'mon Blizzard, that would be the true ode to Diablo 1.
Also, coming up for Diablo 3 is two new zones called Shrouded Moores and Temple of the First Born, which will be available through adventure mode, and free for players who already own Reaper of Souls.
And of course, the big news is the Necromancer. The undead summoner was revealed through a classic Blizzard trailer:
“Death has ravaged our world and the balance that sustained us has been lost. We feared this day would come. When the lands are ruined and the champions of the light can no longer save those in need. But I will for I wield the power they cannot. And a new army of the dead shall rise at my command.”
Cool. I loved the Necromancer in Diablo 2. Apparently, the new Necro has been heavily based on the Diablo 2 incarnation so we should see a similar playstyle: bone spear, corpse explosion, etc. The Necromancer will not be free, but part of a character pack that should be for sale sometime next year.
No expansion announced or Diablo 4. Looks like I've won a few bets.
