Diablo 3 6/10
I had not played the previous diablo games so my expectations were probably elevated due to all the hype surrounding the game.
I was expecting addictive game play, essential co operative game play, random dungeons and a decent storyline.
Ok to the first point, when I say addictive gameplay I'm talking about wow standards. As an ex player I expected the game to make me want to gear up / grind etc but it just didn't happen. I suspect that is due to the lack of other people to interact with. Sure I could gear up but at the end of the day it didn't really matter as there was no one to really show, there just didn't seem to be any competitive gameplay. That and the fact that any child and his mother could have achieved the same thing I did.
Second point, from various bits of information around the web I expected heavy co op play. Yes this is present but it is not neccesary in anyway, co op really does offer you little advantage apart from grinding faster. You could argue this is a good thing but I assure you it is far from it. I felt no inclination to play with others. The few friends I had that do play were either too busy, playing with someone else or were just bored of it after completing it once. I fall into the last category I suppose. I did give public games a go but no one seemed to speak or they would run off in random directions.
Third point, the dungeons aren't random. This was the feature I anticipated the most! Go through the dungeons a couple of times and you soon realise there are roughly 5 variations! I think yahtzee put it correctly when he compared it to lego. Very dissapointed with that.
Fourth point, the story line was fun. Once. I didn't expect to enjoy it over and over again. I didn't expect the devs to cleverly introduce some sort of story manipulation system. What I did expect was fun, not just any fun, co op fun. I didn't find it.
This is how I see diablo 3. Picture yourself in a poor country, you gain a job. Said job is exciting and new on the first day. The next day you realise the monotony of said job. Third day you realise you are actually in a sweat shop producing calvin klein underwear.
Forgive me for my lack of articulation.
