Diablofans still have a while to wait before they’re able to get their hands onDiablo 2: ResurrectedorDiablo 4,the next major games in the coveted franchise. With nearlynine years sinceDiablo 3releasednow passed, it makes sense that fans are getting antsy waiting for the next games. Luckily, there’s a solid option available right now for those that are hungering for a character-driven looting game.
Released in 2020,Wolcen: Lords of Mayhemis a curious case. It was largely supported by a long early access period, having spent 4 years there before getting a full launch. One would be forgiven for seeingWolcen: Lords of Mayhemas aDiabloclone, at least on a surface level, but in reality, things run a lot deeper than that.
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What is Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem?
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhemis just one of the many ARPGs released during thedrought ofDiablogames, but that’s a bit of a reductive way to look at it.Wolcenhas nailed narrative more than other, similar games have managed to, while at the same time iterating on the formula that has made ARPGs so successful to begin with.
One ofWolcen’smain appealsis that it doesn’t feature a traditional class system, which keeps things from feeling restrictive. Instead, players are offered a choice of which weapon type they want to use before diving into the game, with Melee, Ranged, and Magic options being available. However, players can change their playstyle at any point by learning new skills and trying out the other weapon types.
Wolcen’s art style is visually distinct fromDiablo 3,though, offering a look that’s more inspired by high fantasy than it is byDiablo’siconic gothic look. There are still a number of ghouls, demons, and undead enemies for players that are a fan ofDiablo’svisual flair, but it won’t seem overly derivative either.
Why Playing Before Diablo 2 is a Good Idea
It’s difficult to say whether fans are more excited forDiablo 2: ResurrectedorDiablo 4,but with theDiablo 2Technical Alpha now in the books, the community has a better idea of what to expect from the game. For those that are excited forDiablo 2,either pulled in by the Technical Alpha or just anxiously awaiting a return to the classic, there’s a solid case for diving intoWolcen: Lords of MayhembeforeDiablo 2launches.
The main thing is thatWolcenis an evolution of the ARPG format, whereasDiablo 2helped establish the very foundation of the genre. Therefore,Wolcenplayers are going to get an experiencemore akin toDiablo 4than they will toDiablo 2,but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, it’s almost a point in its favor, at least in this instance.
Diablo 2is a hardcore game compared toWolcen,and that difficulty won’t be for everyone. That’s not to say thatDiablo 2is bad by any stretch of the imagination, but there are tons of ARPG fans that may not have been introduced to the genre during the height ofDiablo 2,people that may not be aware of how different it is thanDiablo 3,Path of Exile,and any of the other popular games now on the market. For some, getting invested inWolcennow can soften the blow ifDiablo 2doesn’t click.
Beyond that, Wolcenis desirable for a few different audiences before diving intoDiablo 2.The first is comprised of those that have never played an ARPG before but are looking for something a bit more glamorous thanDiablo 3.Then there are those that are familiar with ARPGs but have fallen off can also use it to get up to speed on how the genre has changed, asWolcenincorporates elements from many of its peers. That can make journeying back to the classic version – and the nostalgia rush that comes with it – much more appealing.
Why Playing Before Diablo 4 is a Good Idea
For those that are anxiously awaiting the next big step in theDiablofranchise, playingWolcenis a great way to get back in the ARPG mood. It has flashy graphics, smooth movement, and loot to grind for. Put together, it can function as a sort of appetizer for fans that have beenwaiting years to playDiablo 4, not to mention how that helps with the waiting period.
There are still a lot of question marks aboutDiablo 4,and while Blizzcon did provide quite a few reveals, fans are always willing to gobble up new information about games while they’re in development. With how uncertain the future of theDiablofranchise was looking for a while, it makes sense that players are still cautiously optimistic. It’s yet another circumstance whereWolcenmight help take away the sting if the game doesn’t click for whatever reason.
Even those that have never touched an ARPG will seriously want to consider starting withWolcen: Lords of Mayhem.WhileDiablo 3is still beloved by many,Wolcenseems more in line with whatDiablo 4will be based on the gameplay footage that fans have seen up until this point. There is the obvious benefit of a lore refresher by playing throughDiablo 3beforeDiablo 4,but there are explainer pieces online that already give that sort of rundown.
All told, there’s a reason for just about any ARPG fan togiveWolcena shot, whether that means diving back into the game or checking it out for the first time. The icing on the cake is that it can set the mode for the upcomingDiablogames, holding players over until they drop without making them feel stale when they arrive. The beauty is thatDiabloinspiredWolcenin many ways, and there’s a chance thatDiablo 4will be inspired byWolcenitself, making things come full circle.
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhemis available now on PC.Diablo 2: ResurrectedandDiablo 4are in development.
