Diablo 3 started out as a game that only half-fulfilled its pursuit to be the next great Diablo. Its cohesive gameplay and polished presentation demonstrated that the series could transition well into the modern gaming climate, but many of its mechanics and systems didn't deliver in a way that was deemed satisfactory by fans. It would take two years of patches and the Reaper of Souls expansion pack to move it to where it needed to be in order to earn a reputation as a title worthy of the Blizzard name. Another year of patches have only made it better.
Patch 2.3 just dropped for Diablo 3, and as with the previous three major updates it's a home run. As a result, the game has further distanced itself from its lukewarm original launch with exciting features that both new and veteran players can enjoy. It's been such a dramatic shift that the game is almost unrecognizable for returning players.
For players who enjoy striving for the best gear possible, the introduction of the Kanai's Cube is a wonderful addition to Diablo 3's landscape. Using the item, players can extract Legendary Power from legendary items, allowing them to reap the benefits of the game's greatest item properties without having to equip the respective item. This has had a remarkably positive impact on endgame, where previously players were focused on obtaining the best legendary item for each equipment slot. Now, obtaining a legendary, with or without good rolls, is enough to ensure that the player has access to its power at the flip of a switch across all characters.
The Kanai's Cube has ushered a whole new style of gear farming in the game where players are more concerned about top DPS on their weapons, and great stats on their gear rather than equipping only the legendaries that offer the greatest Legendary Power. Players no longer feel that they are gimping themselves when trying new equipment combinations, or performing below their potential without a full set of the best legendary gear. There are more options than ever, and viability has been broadened for players of all styles.
The addition of Ruins of Sescheron, a new zone set within Act 3, offers players a new area to slay monsters and farm for items. Inhabited by Rat Kings, Yetis, and dangerous traps, the area is equipped with a couple of new events for Adventure Mode as well as the highly sought after Kanai's Cube. Adjustments to Adventure Mode have equipped Bounty Caches with Act-specific items, some of which are required to utilize the Kanai's Cube. In other words, players are enjoying new content as they seek to obtain and harness the power of the Kanai's Cube.
Veteran players have some new options for how they tackle Diablo 3's content. For one, four new Torment levels (Torment VII through Torment X) have been introduced. These difficulties offer the greatest challenge that players have ever seen, with the benefit of significantly increased drop rates and experience rewards. Players who have invested hundreds of hours into the game in order to max out their characters now have new experiences to enjoy as a result.
Made better, Season 4 has just begun. With it have arrived new rewards, including new transmogrification items, in addition to seasonal legendaries. There's also a new system called Season Journey which offers unique objectives to tackle in exchange for new portrait frames and cosmetic items.
Last but not least, the latest list of class changes has hit the servers. The endgame environment has shifted for all six classes, resulting in most players changing their primary build; Witch Doctors are playing around with Acid Cloud and the new Wall of Death, while Barbarians are having fun with new movement speed boost options from Ferocity and Vanguard skill runes.
When you put all these elements together, it's no wonder that Diablo 3 has experienced a surge of new and returning players during the past year. Diablo 3's original vision was one that tried the patience of many players. Since then, the auction house has been demolished, and so have uninteresting item stats. It's a much more consistently enjoyable experience, and now rich with ways to remain invested.
Patches this significant are usually only reserved for MMORPGs. Blizzard's commitment to supporting Diablo 3 has led to the game selling tens of millions of copies, securing its record as the best-selling PC game in history.
