For a highly addictive, replayable game, facing the Lord of Terror is somewhat of an anti-climax.

I don't know about you, but I'm firm in the belief that replayability is what makes the difference between a good game and a true classic. Thinking back to the old "286/no hard drive" days, I remember a DOS game called "Rogue", or Amulet of something or other; a simple dungeon exploration game using different characters to indicate walls, creatures, gold, & potions. And despite being dated for even it's time, I spent much of my growing years staring at that green and black computer screen. Why? Replayability! No two games were ever the same because each level was generated randomly, so you never knew what was in the next room.

Diablo is one of a handful of "modern" games that replicate the replayability of this classic. Three years after release, I still find myself wandering the catacombs, fireballing horned demons, and gossiping with Tristram's characters.

Diablo's story line should be well known to most avid gamers by now; you play either a Sorcerer, Warrior, or Rogue, each with specific strengths and abilities for their class. Beginning your adventures in the town of Tristram, you embark on various quests which ultimately culminate with you facing the Lord of Terror himself, Diablo. Through your journeys you accumulate experience points which allow you to improve your strength, magic, dexterity, and vitality. How you distribute points between the four will depend on your character class and whether you wish to become proficient at various combinations of the bow, sword/axe, staff, or magic. You also discover many items such as scrolls, potions, and enchanted weaponry which complement your basic weapons and provide character enhancements.

Although the game concludes with you facing Diablo, throughout your journeys you will face not only the minions of the Lord of Terror, but those of his brothers, Mephisto, Lord of Hatred, and Baal, Lord of Destruction. Initially, these creatures seem pretty dumb; stand back and wait and they will come to you to die, but when they swarm you life does get difficult. And just when you've got casting fireballs down to an art, you'll come up against Magma Demons which resist fire damage, so don't get comfortable with just one type of magic spell.

System requirements for Diablo are pretty low (sub Pentium 90), so running it isn't a problem for most people (especially considering there are no specific requirements such as a 3D video card). It is also one of the few games to run on Windows NT. Diablo further impresses as it doesn't require copious update patches to be downloaded off the net. The one drawback is that loading saved games takes a little while on the recommended system, though faster PCs have a shorter wait time.

For a highly addictive, replayable game, facing the Lord of Terror is somewhat of an anti-climax. Provided you've played as a Rogue and have the Bow of the Bear it's pretty simple to kill him off. Playing the Warrior though is a little harder.

Diablo's replayability means I never get bored with it, especially with the Hellfire expansion that adds new quests, weapons, spells, and the Monk. Unfortunately, replayability doesn't equate with immortality. Eventually all games are superseded by newer versions; I know I haven't played that "Rogue" game in years. If you decide to go for Diablo, make sure to get the value pack that includes the Hellfire expansion. Otherwise, I recommend waiting for the soon to be released, eagerly anticipated sequel, Diablo 2.

Reviewed by Brett Quinton, PC Gameworld.