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There's more than one elephant in the room when it comes to the console release of Diablo 3 - Blizzard's first venture from PC since developing Lost Vikings 2 back in 1997. The main one, in a surprise turn, is to question why it took so long, given just how comfortable the pairing is between the series' hack 'n' slash gameplay and the direct character controls possible with the PS3 and 360 pads. Skill and equipment menus are mapped to a convenient rotary dial, while combat is spiced up via a rolling dodge mechanic that feels very natural. Blizzard's custom engine also arrives in full force on both current-gen platforms, but with a PS4 release inbound for 2014, are there any drawbacks here which might warrant holding out for a next-gen version?The first nail to knock on the head is the comparison with PC. While Diablo 3 is likely being used as a test-bed for future controller-based games, the studio is taking the opportunity to add - and perhaps more importantly, remove - certain features to make for a more compelling experience on console. For starters, gone is the "always online" DRM that beset the PC version, which continues to add latency after each click for even solo adventurers. In a call-back to the series' roots, console owners can now go entirely offline and play co-op alongside up to four people via a LAN, or otherwise by sharing the same screen with four gamepads on the go. The system is simple but effective, allowing players to drop in and out seamlessly, and represents the biggest plus-point in our estimation over the original PC release.
Also gone is the Auction House, an experiment on Blizzard's part to draw loot trade on the PC version away from eBay and contain it within its own eco-system. With the studio now admitting regret over the choice to follow this controversial path, the closed nature of Microsoft and Sony's platforms at least offers a way to mitigate the issue, and give a fresh start for a brand new audience.
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