Diablo fans still have a while to wait before they're able to get their hands on Diablo 2: Resurrected or Diablo 4, the next major games in the coveted franchise. With nearly nine years since Diablo 3 released now passed, it makes sense that fans are getting antsy waiting for the next games. Luckily, there's a solid option available right now for those that are hungering for a character-driven looting game.
Released in 2020, Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is a curious case. It was largely supported by a long early access period, having spent 4 years there before getting a full launch. One would be forgiven for seeing Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem as a Diablo clone, at least on a surface level, but in reality, things run a lot deeper than that.
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Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is just one of the many ARPGs released during the drought of Diablo games, but that's a bit of a reductive way to look at it. Wolcen has nailed narrative more than other, similar games have managed to, while at the same time iterating on the formula that has made ARPGs so successful to begin with.
One of Wolcen's main appeals is that it doesn't feature a traditional class system, which keeps things from feeling restrictive. Instead, players are offered a choice of which weapon type they want to use before diving into the game, with Melee, Ranged, and Magic options being available. However, players can change their playstyle at any point by learning new skills and trying out the other weapon types.
Wolcen's art style is visually distinct from Diablo 3, though, offering a look that's more inspired by high fantasy than it is by Diablo's iconic gothic look. There are still a number of ghouls, demons, and undead enemies for players that are a fan of Diablo's visual flair, but it won't seem overly derivative either.
It's difficult to say whether fans are more excited for Diablo 2: Resurrected or Diablo 4, but with the Diablo 2 Technical Alpha now in the books, the community has a better idea of what to expect from the game. For those that are excited for Diablo 2, either pulled in by the Technical Alpha or just anxiously awaiting a return to the classic, there's a solid case for diving into Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem before Diablo 2 launches.
The main thing is that Wolcen is an evolution of the ARPG format, whereas Diablo 2 helped establish the very foundation of the genre. Therefore, Wolcen players are going to get an experience more akin to Diablo 4 than they will to Diablo 2, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, it's almost a point in its favor, at least in this instance.
Diablo 2 is a hardcore game compared to Wolcen, and that difficulty won't be for everyone. That's not to say that Diablo 2 is bad by any stretch of the imagination, but there are tons of ARPG fans that may not have been introduced to the genre during the height of Diablo 2, people that may not be aware of how different it is than Diablo 3, Path of Exile, and any of the other popular games now on the market. For some, getting invested in Wolcen now can soften the blow if Diablo 2 doesn't click.
Beyond that, Wolcen is desirable for a few different audiences before diving into Diablo 2. The first is comprised of those that have never played an ARPG before but are looking for something a bit more glamorous than Diablo 3. Then there are those that are familiar with ARPGs but have fallen off can also use it to get up to speed on how the genre has changed, as Wolcen incorporates elements from many of its peers. That can make journeying back to the classic version – and the nostalgia rush that comes with it – much more appealing.
For those that are anxiously awaiting the next big step in the Diablo franchise, playing Wolcen is a great way to get back in the ARPG mood. It has flashy graphics, smooth movement, and loot to grind for. Put together, it can function as a sort of appetizer for fans that have been waiting years to play Diablo 4, not to mention how that helps with the waiting period.
There are still a lot of question marks about Diablo 4, and while Blizzcon did provide quite a few reveals, fans are always willing to gobble up new information about games while they're in development. With how uncertain the future of the Diablo franchise was looking for a while, it makes sense that players are still cautiously optimistic. It's yet another circumstance where Wolcen might help take away the sting if the game doesn't click for whatever reason.
Even those that have never touched an ARPG will seriously want to consider starting with Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem. While Diablo 3 is still beloved by many, Wolcen seems more in line with what Diablo 4 will be based on the gameplay footage that fans have seen up until this point. There is the obvious benefit of a lore refresher by playing through Diablo 3 before Diablo 4, but there are explainer pieces online that already give that sort of rundown.
All told, there's a reason for just about any ARPG fan to give Wolcen a shot, whether that means diving back into the game or checking it out for the first time. The icing on the cake is that it can set the mode for the upcoming Diablo games, holding players over until they drop without making them feel stale when they arrive. The beauty is that Diablo inspired Wolcen in many ways, and there's a chance that Diablo 4 will be inspired by Wolcen itself, making things come full circle.
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is available now on PC. Diablo 2: Resurrected and Diablo 4 are in development.