[UPDATE: Blizzard officially revealed Diablo 2 Resurrected at Blizzconline. Surprisingly, despite the troubles detailed here, the developer has went about updating the game but keeping it truly close to the original. Check out Diablo 2 ResurrectedHERE. Original story follows.]
Diablo 2 Resurrected, the reported title for a supposedDiablo 2 remake, might vary drastically from its initial incarnation. In fact, the lead developer fromDiablo 2believes it may actually be an entirely new game instead of a simple remaster. The reasons behind this lead back to a crisis duringDiablo 2’s development, right before release.
WhileBlizzard’s “Team 1” worked onWarcraft 3: Reforged, this dev subsection has since been dismantled after Blizzard acquired Vicarious Visions. Now it looks as if Vicarious Visions will be in charge of aDiablo 2remake, as part of its recent merger. In this way, it seems likely that Vicarious Visions is still the same but with a different, unannounced name. Regardless, things are looking up forDiablofans as the studio has a stellar track record for remakes.
RELATED:Diablo 2 Developer Thinks Remake Would Be a Different Game
The real trick to releasing aremake or remaster ofDiablo 2would be rewriting most of the game from scratch. DuringDiablo 2’s initial development, much of the source code was lost when the project’s backup storage was corrupted, leaving the developer to scramble and piece together the final game from code on various dev’s local machines. This being the case,Diablo 2 Resurrectedwould likely have a much different feel as the developer would have to rework the balance, loot drops, and everything else that came together to make the original such a legendary title.
New Look, New Feel, New Game
David Brevik, both the project and design lead for the originalDiablo 2release over 20 years ago, gave his opinion on a newDiablo 2remake during a live stream in August of 2020. During the stream, he spoke about the loss of the original assets and how that would make a newDiablo 2a challenge. He went on to say that if Blizzard is working on a newDiablo 2game, it would have to be unique.“Will it be the same game? Doubtful.”
Diablo 2 Resurrectedmay have to actually live up to its name, as to bring the game to light would mean recreating all the assets and essentially get the game back from the dead. This presents Blizzard in a position to modernize the game, possibly using theDiablo 3engine, but this could be a blessing or a curse if it can not capture the originalDiablo 2release’s feel. As far asDiablogames go, the second installation has a live fanbase to this day.
TheDiablo 2modding community still works hardto makeDiablo 2a better and better game; fans have even upscaled the game. Hopefully, their efforts to include modern features in the game like more extensive storage, automatic gold pickup, refreshing potions, and item stacking are recognized, as these would be excellent additions to a new edition.Diablo 2was more of a social experience than its predecessor, so a competent trading and lobby system would also be a must-have.
Upcoming Diablo 2 Reveal
Originally, the rumors were thatDiablo 2 Resurrectedwould be announced late in 2020. That time has come and gone, and fans are now hoping for aBlizzCon 2021 unveiling. It’s impossible to say whether this will be the case or not, but it’s something that many seem to be clinging to and would make sense in the grand scheme of thing. After all, with the seemingly redeemedDiablo ImmortalandDiablo 4in the pipeline, aDiablo 2remake would likely deliver a core experience between the mobile game and the wait forDiablo 4(assuming it came first anyway). Some may protest that this would be too much Diablo, but many would counter that there’s really no such thing.
With BlizzCon 2021 just days away, the anticipation is rising amongDiablo 2fans. If the rumors pan out andDiablo 2 Resurrectedis announced, what other information will follow? It would make sense to include theLord of Destructionexpansion in aDiablo 2re-release since the add-on changed so much of the original game, and this would also follow suit withWarcraft 3: Reforgedcontaining expansions.
WithDiablo 3currently available on modern consoles andDiablo 4announced across all platforms, it would only make sense thatDiablo 2 Resurrectedwould come out for the PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox as well as the PC. This would be another new look for the game, as the original was only ever released for the PC, the onlyDiablogame never to get a console release. As a game fully intended for the PC, a lot of work would need to be done to be accessible via a controller—another reason it would make sense forDiablo 2 Resurrectedto be an entirely new game.
Vicarious Visions Can Pull This Off
If Vicarious Visions is the driving force behindDiablo 2 Resurrected,or however the studio is redubbed as part of the merger, fans can expect a polished and well-thought-out title. The studio behind such successful relaunches such asTony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2and theCrash Bandicoot N. SaneTrilogy has proven its mettle when it comes to remakes. With more than 200 employees of Vicarious Visions now a part of Blizzard, the signs are pointing to this being the case.
The only thing that is certain when it comes toDiablo 2 Resurrectedis that long-time series fans are slavering at the jaw for it.Easily regarded as the bestDiablogame ever made, Blizzard has some large shoes to fill with a remake. There is no telling whenDiablo 2 Resurrectedwill be announced, what it would look like, or with such a predicament, whether or not it even comes to fruition. All there is to know is that there is certainly a market eagerly awaiting the game, but until then, all gamers have are some rumblings in the industry.
