Every Diablo Game, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Diablo has gripping gameplay mechanics and rich environments, captivating players with loot and intense battles.
• Blizzard constantly updates Diablo games, adding features based on fan feedback, and enhancing gameplay and graphics over time.
• Diablo 4 improved significantly post-launch, with fine-tuned combat, build options, and strong graphics, despite some repetitive elements.

Since the first Diablo game launched in early 1997, many have been obsessed with venturing into hell and maiming its people before escaping with loot. Every Diablo game follows the hero of Tristram in the dark world of Sanctuary – a realm existing between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells – and all the angels and demons that the hero encounters. Indeed, Diablo is an excellent franchise created with an epic world to adventure and extensive lore to accompany it.

Diablo games, produced by Blizzard Entertainment, are popular because they have superb gameplay mechanics, rich environments, and a unique system to replay levels at increasingly higher difficulties. Moreover, hunting down and killing the devil and his hordes is thrilling. While some Diablo games released over the past three decades may have performed dismally, others have thrived tremendously.

Updated November 11, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: The Diablo series sits among the best action RPGs of all time with its engaging gameplay, brilliant classes, and a loot system that keeps players hooked from the outset. With the release of the Vessel of Hatred expansion for Diablo 4, players have a new reason to return, prompting an update to include the expansion and additional galleries for the Diablo titles listed.

12 Diablo Immortal

A Free-To-Play Mobile Game With Good Mechanics

Although causing controversy again with the announcement of Diablo: Immortal at Blizzcon in 2018, Blizzard created a Diablo game that adapts quite well to mobile devices. It features tight animations with weighty abilities, and each class has a unique identity, without mentioning excellent loot in appropriately crafted armor.

Apart from these positive points, however, Immortal’s gameplay lacks weight and features frequent lifeless voice acting. Furthermore, Diablo Immortal has horrendous microtransactions, to the point where the game has been banned in the Netherlands and Belgium, shaming the game. Blizzard should have offered the game with a price tag instead of a pay-win system.

11 Diablo 3

An Improved Title After Launch

Many gamers had anticipated much from Diablo 3 after waiting over 10 years for the game’s release. However, despite scoring well with critics, it failed to meet fan expectations. Most who bought it kept staring at Error 37 instead of playing the game.

Even after Error 37 was addressed, its in-game auction house was still unappealing, as players had to purchase items from the auction house to progress further in the game, which caused even more controversy. Other issues that seemed to have watered down this gameplay were the disappointing loot system, poor character development, and underwhelming visuals. Thankfully, Diablo 3 regained its fanbase with significant updates, character classes, patches, and new expansions that changed the experience.

10 Diablo 3: Rise Of The Necromancer

A Solid Expansion That Introduced The Necromancer Class To Diablo 3

The Diablo 3: Rise of the Necromancer expansion was released in 2017 as the second expansion for Diablo 3. Unlike Reaper Souls – the first expansion – and other Diablo games, Rise of the Necromancer did not make drastic changes to the preceding expansion but instead opted to err on the side of caution.

Blizzard added new class characters, for instance, the Necromancer class, zones, and Shrouded Moors. Although some agreed that the Necromancer class was slightly overpowered, these additions provide different challenges and rewards to discover. The slight changes were minimal to Diablo 3, which was more successful by this time, thanks to the Reaper of Souls expansion.

9 Diablo 3: Reaper Of Souls

A Vast Improvement Over The Base Game Featuring The Crusader Class

Reaper of Souls significantly improved the initial Diablo 3 mess; it seems Blizzard realized what made its earlier games great. They discarded the infamous in-game auction house and brought a new class with the new boss. Apart from optimizing the loot drops, it introduced a new class, the Crusader, which specialized in defense and heavy weapons. Generally, Reaper of Souls compensated for what had earlier glued its fanbase.

It’s the norm of Blizzard to revamp and expand the game. The graphics were noticeably upgraded, and the art design improved, as with Westmarch. The introduction of new classes provided unique gameplay. At last, Diablo’s massive fanbase had every reason to return to this franchise. Despite scoring slightly lower on Metacritic, Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls is significantly better than the vanilla version.

8 Diablo 4

The Latest Entry That’s Got Better With Every Major Update

Diablo 4, was received poorly during the game’s Beta, but once released, it proved to be a success for Blizzard. Blizzard appeared to take feedback on board and learned from its previous mistakes. They succeeded by fine-tuning the combat, offering various build options to each class, and providing the game with a strong live-service foundation.

Moreover, the graphics in Diablo 4 are impressive, and it has received good reviews all around. Nevertheless, some feel that the story is rather dull, and that the game only starts once one has completed the campaign. Some parts of the game are also very repetitive, requiring a lot of mindless killing. Diablo 4 is not the worst in the franchise, but certainly not the best.

7 Diablo: Hellfire

The First Expansion That Streamlined The Diablo Experience

• Platform: PC
• Released: 1997
• Developer: Synergistic Software

Surprisingly, Hellfire, Diablo’s first expansion, wasn’t created by Blizzard but by Synergistic Software. This is why many Diablo fans were bothered about the franchise’s future. However, the worries seized as changes weren’t too radical to the game. The expansion of the original Diablo offers improvements and quality-of-life mechanics, making it a smoother experience. In particular, Hellfire’s new levels and monsters were introduced, keeping the loot and the feeling of grind more alive.

Diablo fans loved watching their characters getting more powerful as they navigated through the hostile dungeons. On the downside, Hellfire never featured a multiplayer system as it was to its predecessor. This is why many have yet to experience improvements in the online arena.

6 Diablo

The Classic Original That Holds Up Decades Later

Diablo started it all in 1997. Many could never anticipate the effect of the game. While several action RPGs had been released before, few games matched the original Diablo. What made this original production more interesting was the ability to choose the player’s favorite character before delving into Tristram town.

The fantastic soundtrack cranked up the atmosphere. More importantly, its loot system kept gamers pouring in many hours in the game. While playing online was somewhat new back then, Diablo was at the forefront of the multiplayer revolution. Up to date, the game still holds up, although it certainly feels archaic compared to the latest games in the series.

5 Diablo 3: Eternal Collection

An Enhanced And Upgraded Version Diablo 3

As mentioned in the above entries, Diablo 3 was a controversial title at launch but was vastly improved with every update and expansion. Diablo 3: The Eternal Collection includes The Reaper of Souls, and Rise of the Necromancer, In addition to the various enhancements provided by patches and updates. The Nintendo Switch version is the latest port and includes an exclusive The Legend of Zelda-themed armor based on the series antagonist, Ganondorf. It works very well on the handheld device and feels great to play. Naturally, it lacks the intricacies of using a mouse, but players will easily become accustomed to the setup.

The hack-and-slash action is fast and smooth with an arcade-like feel that’s perfect for small and larger TV screens. Despite the simplicity of its action and dungeon-crawling, tons of game modes and options allow players to customize their experience to their liking. Most, if not all, of the balancing issues with overpowered classes have been resolved, making it one of the best modern Diablo experiences available. Of course, the Diablo games are considered PC games at heart, but console gamers have offline four-player couch co-op, which is a lot of fun making it comparable to side-scrolling beat-em-ups or better still, the Lego games. Local co-op with friends and family is a far better experience than playing alone or online, and it adds longevity to an already massive game packed with features and enough to content to last a very long time.

4 Diablo 2

Arguably The Best Game In The Series With An Excellent Villain

Diablo 2 is an incredible milestone for the larger franchise. In fact, to date, some of its fans have kept this role-playing action game alive, so they keep moving all along together forever. Blizzard made several improvements in this game. While the first game laid the foundation with few details, Diablo 2 advanced, creating more unforgettable experiences.

The sequel provided valid reasons for the main villain’s return. The game unveiled a vast world of adventure, enriched with new, fantastic lore. The hack-and-slash combat system was both redefined and enhanced.

3 Diablo 2: Lord Of Destruction

An Excellent Expansion That Connects The First And Second Games

Despite the lower Metascore, Diablo 2, is viewed by fans as the best sequel, and its expansion, Lord of Destruction is considered the best version of Diablo 2. Some fans believe that if Blizzard didn’t release this game, no one would be playing Diablo 2. Lord of Destruction brought a more substantial connection between the Hellfire expansion and the first game. Moreover, its expansion introduced two new classes, the Druid and the Assassin.

Both classes featured different skills and items distributed everywhere, giving a fresh opportunity to the experts and a warm reception to new players. But that was not enough, Baal, the new demon, was introduced. The merger of old and new classes was a perfect innovation for adventure. The fanbase of this game could spend more hours playing because of its more complex settings.

2 Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred

A Worthy Expansion With More Content And A New Character Class

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred is a vast expansion that introduces a new class to the franchise, the Spiritborn. It also features a new area to explore, known as Nahantu, and presents more memorable evil villains to defeat following the fall of Lilith. Players who finished the main campaign can continue their journey as their existing character or start fresh and try out the powerful new Spiritborn class that’s a lot of fun to use thanks to its varied styles of combat based on the Jaguar, Eagle, Gorilla, and the Centipede spirit guardians.

There are forest-like areas in Sanctuary but Nahantu is a surprisingly different biome. It’s arguably more colorful and beautifully designed than the base game but retains the dark and spooky atmosphere that Diablo is known for. It’s a fantastic expansion with a substantial campaign, effectively continuing the lore and giving fans an incentive to return. Moreover, the brand new class more than fits right in with Diablo 4’s base game.

1 Diablo 2: Resurrected

A Faithful Remaster With Stunning Visuals And Timeless Gameplay

Despite its lower Metascore, Diablo 2: Resurrected is the best version of the classic game for modern players. It’s a faithful remaster of Diablo 2 and its expansion Lord of Destruction all collected in a single package. As a result, the mechanics may feel somewhat dated compared to Diablo 4, but that doesn’t hurt the experience of what was always considered the benchmark for action RPGs since the game’s initial launch in 2001.

The 2D sprites have been updated with beautiful 3D character models, along with other visual improvements, but Diablo 2: Resurrected allows players to switch between the old and the updated visuals on the fly. Interestingly, this is the first time console players have been able to play Diablo 2, with the port holding up well on a gamepad, and are only slightly let down by the lack of local co-op.