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Remember Diablo’s Environment? The game’s graphic was good for it’s time, not too much graphic details as the 3D games of these day. Even so, Blizzard somehow managed to blend the sound, the graphic and the game together creating a dungeon-like feeling that is very realistic. Though the ways the levels are designed, from dungeons to the caves to hell, are somewhat simple, but something about it just gives me the creep.

Diablo: Warrior in Catacombs

Diablo: Deeper into the Catacombs

The levels are dark, I can’t see far, I cannot guess what might happen around the corner, my character is just too ego-ly brave to be able to run, the sounds that accompanies me through the levels… they all add up to give me the impression that I was really going on an adventure down this scary trail. I remembered being scared of the game (hey, I was only 13 then), yet something drives me to continue playing and move on. Each time I got scared to the brink, be it being chase by an army of skeletons, lava throwers, acid spitters, succubus, Death Knights, I kept on playing till the end. I think it was really the superb gaming environment Blizzard created that keeps drawing me back to finish it.

Diablo: The Caves

In Diablo 2, the environment was improved. It was brighter, clearer, but something about it is just missing. I’m not saying the environment’s bad, it’s actually very much better compared to Diablo. The environment looked more real, with much more details, and great designs of the dungeons that suit the level’s theme.

Diablo2: Valley of the Snakes

It was still a very fun and addictive game (esp. for item hunters like me), but for some reason, I just don’t get the spooky, creepy, dungeon feeling anymore.

Diablo2: Durance of Hate

Maybe the way the dungeons are designed, the way the monster acted, and the music that comes with the dungeons just don’t match up perfectly. Maybe it’s also because my character have the ability to run now that allows me to run away from dangers. I rarely got scared, even if I’m surrounded by horde of monsters, saved for the big bosses themselves and when facing certain monster (the undead fetish, Baal’s Minnion). I’m not sure if you guys feels the same way, but something was just missing here.

LOD: Bloody Foothills

So what about Diablo 3? Let’s look at some of Diablo 3’s environment:

Diablo3: Dungeon

Diablo3: In the Open

I really just loved the way Blizzard somewhat have integrated both Diablo 1 and Diablo 2 environments and extra features into one superb masterpiece. Not only does the environment look awesome, detailed and realistic, it is now an interactive environment: one that the things you do can affect things in the environment (just like Half-life 2). Now check out the video below:

When I watched the Gameplay Trailer (those who haven’t watched it, go watch it here, under movies) , the dungeons are brighter and clearer, but something about it just gives me the dungeon’s creep.

I really can’t wait to see how other stages will look like…

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