one big point I just have to make is that no game, and I mean NO game, ever came close to Diablo IIs item system... remember the exceptional and elite unique items and the thrill of getting any of them? remember the terrific rares and the incredible sets? (the ones that came with LoD, not the crappy standard ones...)
No game ever came close to that, even though many have tried, and apart from the atmosphere, I think those were what made DII so incredible...
d2 item generation = close to perfection. blizzard really outdid everybody else with d2 lord of destruction. so popular are some items that they were even sold on ebay. every bowazon aimed for a buriza, every javazon for a titan's revenge, every barbarian dreamed of a four-socket cruel colossus blade of quickness, or an immortal king's set or a fury berserker axe, or an arreat's face...the list just goes on and on.
as if that's not enough, the most memorable, toughest monsters can be found in d2. it's all about the random mods that will spawn on them. hell ancients anyone? a msle, cursed, extra strong-extra fast, whirlwinding talic, or a one-hit death from the leap-attacking barb who wields the biggest axe in any rpg, korlic. the lord de seis in the chaos sanctuary, the oblivion knights who cast iron maiden, lister the tormentor, arguably the biggest melee brawler in any rpg, nihlathak, the council members in mephisto's lair, duriel (god, who doesn't say a prayer upon entering his lair), ancient kaa the undead, a greater mummy found in one of the false tombs in the canyon of the magi (good luck trying to kill him in hell mode. i know i never did. i just ran away from him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )...again the list just goes on and on. the most memorable battles i've had in any rpg were in d2.
some games may have better stories, but d2 delivers on the goodies. if ever blizzard north decides to make diablo III, i shudder at the thought if what it will do to the action-rpg fans. many sleepless nights on b.net again? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
sigh...this should be in the "all-time best rpg's" thread in the rpg chat forum.
