It is hard to believe that Blizzard's masterpiece franchise Diablo was first released in 1997. This means that it has been around 24 years since the first game was built. It is a fact that from the entire series, Diablo II & III are the most talked about games from the series. With the upcoming release of Diablo IV & Immortal,  it is high time to figure out which one of the two most famous video games is genuinely the greatest.

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What are the most common aspects of these games that are genuinely unmatched by each other? Which game is better when directly compared against each other?

10 Art Style - Diablo II

The art style in video games will always be subjective. One example of this is Fortnite and PUBG, where fans are divided between the two. The same is true for Diablo 2 and Diablo 3. The second game was released all the way back in 2000, and the third game was released in 2012. This means the two were inspired by the style of similar games of those years and are incredibly different in their approach. Here, Diablo III is colorful and shiny, while Diablo II is gritty and dark. However, there's something eerie about how the second game looks, which gives it a better visual aesthetic.

9 Graphics - Diablo III

This is relatively an easy one. Most modern games released by such famous publishers will always look better than its predecessor. Whether it is Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft, or EA, their newer games are bound to look better than the older ones. The same is true for Blizzard, as Diablo III is the best one for graphics and features. It supports various resolutions, graphic settings, and multiple other features that only a well-built game can deliver.

8 Expansion Packs - Diablo II

A great expansion pack is something that people remember for years and years to come. While Diablo III has some great downloadable content, it is still pretty forgettable. In comparison,  Diablo II offers Lord Of Destruction. The pack has two new character classes and an additional act to play. It truly is better than the original game and really revamps the multiplayer aspect of the game. Diablo II LOD is still talked about next to each other, which certainly tells how important it is to the game.

7 Controls - Diablo III

The second game is a great title when it comes to controls. It is easy to understand and play with the help of a keyboard and mouse. Sadly, it is a bit outdated in its techniques. Diablo III, on the other hand, is made to work on PC as well as consoles. This means it offers a set of controls that are perfect for hack and slash games and a controller. This makes it a diverse game title when it comes to the controls, making it user friendly.

6 Gameplay - Diablo II

The most significant factor that makes or breaks a game is its gameplay. Most of Blizzard's old games have genre-defining gameplay features and have inspired countless modern games. Diablo II takes the same formula and raises it much higher. This is why many people still play this game, even online. The third game takes significant cues from the second game, which means it doesn't innovate a lot. At the same time, Diablo II took a giant leap.

5 Secrets - Tie

The first time anyone discovers the secret cow level in Diablo II is a magical experience. Similarly, Diablo III's Whimsyshire is just as abstract as well, giving one of a kind experience to whoever is playing the game. There are many other hidden easter eggs throughout both the games, making this category a tie. Hopefully, this trend of secrets will continue into the upcoming Diablo Immortal and Diablo IV.

4 Story - Diablo II

Diablo III is a great game, and counting all its DLCs, it delivers a good enough story. Sadly, that story doesn't come close to the tale and lore of Diablo II. Many people still praise the second game for the way it was executed. From dialogue to characters, everything is excellent in the second game.

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Every act's music speaks the story's tone, the missions feel personal, and bosses feel like an actual threat. While the third game delivers, it's not on the level of Diablo II.

3 Multiplayer - Diablo III

Both the games have great multiplayer, but it isn't perfect. However, the reason Diablo III has an edge in this department is because of the technical aspects. Diablo II's online was very famous back in the day and still has a fanbase. Still, it couldn't compare to the modern-day title in terms of network features. Diablo III's multiplayer is user-friendly, easy to play, and offers a bit more fluid experience.

2 Characters - Diablo II

Diablo III offers seven main characters, and Diablo II offers the same as well. The second game includes the Amazon, Barbarian, Necromancer, Paladin, Sorceress, Assassin, and Druid. On the other hand, the third game has Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Wizard, Monk, Demon Hunter, Crusader, and Necromancer.

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So based on the number, it should be a tie. However, the upgrade path and customization benefits for these characters make all the difference, giving Diablo II an edge.

1 Ratings - Diablo II

Here's the granddaddy of all the reasons on the list. Review scores are just opinions, but the opinion does matter if it has numbers. Both the games have the same critic rating on Metacritic, standing at a whopping 88 out of 100. However, it's the user ratings that tell the full story. The third game has 4.4 out of 10, which means that users think it is somewhat below average. In contrast, Diablo II has 8.8, which is twice as higher, making it a better game than its sequel.

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