Diablo 4 is a highly anticipated game that was released in June 2023 by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the popular Diablo franchise, which is known for its dark fantasy and horror themes, as well as its addictive gameplay and loot system. Diablo 4 received critical acclaim from reviewers, who praised its graphics, combat, level design, and improvements over Diablo 3. However, not all players are happy with the game, as some have started to give it low ratings and negative reviews on Metacritic, a website that aggregates scores from critics and users. Why is Diablo 4 getting worse? Here are some possible reasons:
Server issues: Some players have reported experiencing server problems while playing Diablo 4 online, such as lag, disconnects, crashes, and errors. These issues can affect the gameplay experience and frustrate players who want to enjoy the game smoothly and without interruptions. Some players have also complained about the lack of offline mode in Diablo 4, which means they cannot play the game without an internet connection.
Monetization practices: Some players have criticized Blizzard for implementing microtransactions in Diablo 4, which allow players to purchase cosmetic items, such as skins, mounts, pets, and wings, with real money. Some players feel that these microtransactions are unnecessary and greedy and detract from the core gameplay and loot system of Diablo 4. Some players have also accused Blizzard of making the game more difficult and gritty to encourage players to spend more money on microtransactions.
Gameplay changes: Some players have expressed dissatisfaction with some of the gameplay changes that Blizzard has made in Diablo 4, such as the skill system, the progression system, the user interface, and the difficulty level. Some players feel that these changes have made the game less fun and more frustrating and that they have reduced the variety and customization options for the different classes and builds. Some players have also compared Diablo 4 unfavorably to other games in the genre, such as Path of Exile or Grim Dawn, which they feel offer more depth and complexity.
Huge nerfs to both damage and defense. One of the main complaints from players is that the game has become too easy and boring, as most damage and defense types have been nerfed in the latest patch, 1.1. This means that players feel noticeably weaker and less challenged, as they can no longer deal or withstand as much damage as before. Some players also argue that the new season mechanic, Malignant Hearts, which are supposed to be powerful buffs, are actually just compensating for the nerfs and do not make the game more fun or interesting.
Lack of additional stash space. Another issue players have with Diablo 4 is the lack of stash space, the storage area where players can keep their items and equipment. The stash space in Diablo 4 is too small to encourage experimentation, as players do not have much room to store items that are not directly beneficial to their current build. Many players were expecting a fix for this problem in time for season 1, but they were disappointed to find out that there was no change in the stash size. This limits the variety and creativity of the game, as players are forced to stick to one or a few builds and discard or sell Diablo 4 items that they might want to use later.
The new uniques added to the game have questionable benefits. The last reason Diablo 4 might be worsening is the quality of the new unique items added to the game in patch 1.1. Unique items should be rare and powerful items with special effects or abilities that make them stand out from other items. However, some of the new uniques in Diablo 4 have either useless or harmful effects on the player. For example, one of the new uniques is The Oculus, a wand that randomly teleports the player to an unknown location when they evade. This effect can be very detrimental to the player, disrupting their positioning and strategy and putting them in danger of enemies or traps. Some players also complain that the new uniques are not balanced or compatible with the existing items or skills in the game.
Review bombing: Some players have deliberately given Diablo 4 low ratings and negative reviews on Metacritic in order to lower its overall score and express their anger or disappointment with the game or Blizzard. Review bombing is a form of online protest or sabotage that can affect the reputation and sales of a game. Review bombing can be motivated by various reasons, such as personal preference, political agenda, social justice, or trolling. Review bombing can also be influenced by the bandwagon effect or peer pressure, which means that some players may join the review bombing without having played or enjoyed the game themselves.
These are some of the possible reasons why Diablo 4’s reviews are plummeting on Metacritic. However, it is important to note that these reasons do not represent the opinions of all players or critics of Diablo 4 and that many players still enjoy and appreciate the game for what it offers, such as the interesting experience of farming Diablo 4 gold. Diablo 4 is still a relatively new game that may receive updates and patches from Blizzard in the future that could address some of the player issues or complaints. Ultimately, whether one likes or dislikes Diablo 4 is a matter of personal taste and preference, and one should not rely solely on Metacritic scores or reviews to judge a game’s quality or value.
