Diablo IV

Diablo IV was released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2023, also for PlayStation 5, and marks a return to the series' darker, grimmer tone after the lighter Diablo III. The player chooses one of several characters — for example a Barbarian, Sorceress, Necromancer, or Druid — and moves through the open, dark world of Sanctuary, fighting demonic forces and eventually Lilith herself, daughter of Mephisto. Gameplay is built on collecting items, building character builds, and endlessly upgrading the character through a system of skills and legendary items, all typical of the action RPG genre.

Unlike previous entries, Diablo IV offers a truly open world with free movement between regions, a shared online environment for chance encounters with other players during world bosses or live events, and seasonal content that regularly expands the game with new mechanics, leaderboards, and storylines. On PS5, the game takes advantage of the SSD for fast loading between areas and offers controls tailored to a gamepad, including a clear quick skill-select wheel and support for DualSense haptic feedback. The visuals lean on a dark, gothic aesthetic and the dense atmosphere of cursed lands, heightened by somber music from composers associated with the series.

Diablo IV was received on release as a successful return to the series' roots, with an emphasis on a dark story and a refined combat system, though discussions among players later raised questions about the endgame content, difficulty, and online features requiring a constant connection. Over time, the game went through a series of updates and paid expansions that brought new areas, classes, and a system of time-limited seasons. Today it's seen as one of the flagship titles of the action RPG genre for the current generation and a continuation of the legacy that made the series famous back in the nineties.

Why play it: For fans of action RPGs who want a dark story and a refined combat system, Diablo IV continues the legacy of a series famous since the nineties, even though the endgame and online features have sparked debate.