Diablo III --Impressions start on page 36 --

[Rowdy]

Bought the game today at lunch... but based on Meta Critic, Amazon, OO and here, think it's going back to the store unopened.  No patience for this crap in a game I simply want to play single player.  What a nightmare.

[JCC]

I got on at around 6:40 PM (EDT) and had no issues (knocking on wood, fingers crossed). So far I am still in the stuff I played on closed beta weekend, so nothing new to report. I really hope there are some non-dark areas; this game really strains my eyes.

[Blackjack]

This guy's 12 hrs plus normal diff run through sounds more reasonable than the 6 hour figure thread at the forums that had people hyperventilating:
Player Finishes Diablo 3 in 12 Hours, 29 Minutes - Page 1
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/diablo-iii/1224669p1.html

(Sent from Flipboard)

[Arkon]

So I managed to get some time in with the game this morning.  I created a Witch Doctor and am up to level 14.  Can anyone explain the Haunt skill?  The tool tip doesn't really explain what the skill does other than to say if a haunted enemy dies, a new enemy will be haunted.

I guess I need to look through the options to see if I have advanced tool tips turned on or not, as I am confused as well as to what my weapon actually does to my witch doctor skills.

[soulbringer]

Enjoying the game so far but had to log due to lag and rubber banding issues.  Will try again later at oh say 2 or 3 in the morning. 

[Blackjack]

Had about an hour of fun just now, then the game stopped responding, and the terrain started disappearing basically. Can't log back in now (keeps timing out). Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

[Caine]

Bought the game today at lunch... but based on Meta Critic, Amazon, OO and here, think it's going back to the store unopened.  No patience for this crap in a game I simply want to play single player.  What a nightmare.

I really hope the copy I picked up on the way home doesn't turn into a giant coaster (now with special Diablo 3 notepad!  now you can count keep track of how much time you haven't been able to play in style.)

[Arclight]

Downloaded it today. I've been able to get in for couple of hours. Once in I haven't had any issues. Underwhelmed so far with the graphics and for that matter, atmosphere as well. So early in the game I'm sure immersion will ramp up just fine. But with my 580gtx and everything on high the colors and textures are very yesterday. Game play is definitely there, I know soon enough I won't see the graphics as a problem.

Playing a Monk.

[Soulchilde]

Nerd Rage Error 37 NSFW

[Crusis]

I've played a number of characters to level 5 and 6 and luv this game. It's freaking Diablo and that's exactly what I wanted. But why can't I adjust stats as I level?

I can't decide which character to press on with but I'm really digging the monk.

Edit: I'm playing on a 27" iMac and it's running really well at full rez. I have shadows turned down but that's the only thing I tweaked.

[siege]

Just got home with a copy and Im chilling to the installation music. So pumped. Im a huge fan of the first two and I havent followed much of the thirds development nor played the beta. Going in a complete virgin. 

[Azhag]

Wow. This is getting a Dragon Age 2 type response on Amazon and Metacritic user reviews. Happy I decided to wait on it... maybe I'll play some more Torchlight 2 beta...

Will come back to this once it's stable, I get some more sane reviews to look at, price drops.

[Misguided]

While I suppose I can understand some people (in general) being frustrated with issues today, I think it would be unreasonable to expect the launch of a game of this magnitude to go without a hiccup or two.

I just played a Witch Doctor (JohnnyDotCom) up to level 12 or so and I'm having an absolute blast. It's Diablo, but it's also damned good looking, with lots of destructible stuff, and lots of cool little events and things, and (of course) loot galore. We had three people for a bit and it was crazy fun.

More noob questions:

How do you change the appearance of your banner?
How do you access the AH?

Minor annoyance:
You can't reassign the primary and secondary attack buttons to something other than LMB/RMB or change the type of ability on those two buttons (you can do both for 1-4).

[Azhag]

Well, the frustration would be that the only reason it has the issues is they require battle.net...

[Victoria Raverna]

While I suppose I can understand some people (in general) being frustrated with issues today, I think it would be unreasonable to expect the launch of a game of this magnitude to go without a hiccup or two.

It would be reasonable to expect Blizzard to improve in quality of their games. With Diablo and Diablo 2 both had stable launch, it is reasonable to expect the same or better launch with Diablo 3. If it is not because of the client/server DRM, we won't have this big disaster. Blizzard didn't learn from Ubisoft's mistake.

[Misguided]

For me, having an economy that isn't completely broken is totally worth it.

[Clanwolfer]

Got my Witch Doctor up to level 21 - really enjoying things so far. I'm in no hurry to finish - I'd expect I'll go well past 12 hours on Normal, just because I'm exploring every nook and cranny, and in no hurry when I get into town.

Probably going to start a Monk or Demon Hunter for normal co-op, and after that playthrough likely going to toy around with a few Hardcore characters.

So far it's scratching all the dungeon crawly, loot gathery itches.

[Clanwolfer]

Minor annoyance:
You can't reassign the primary and secondary attack buttons to something other than LMB/RMB or change the type of ability on those two buttons (you can do both for 1-4).

Have you checked the Options menu? There's an option to fully unlock the UI options in there. That might let you do what you're looking for.

[Misguided]

Minor annoyance:
You can't reassign the primary and secondary attack buttons to something other than LMB/RMB or change the type of ability on those two buttons (you can do both for 1-4).

Have you checked the Options menu? There's an option to fully unlock the UI options in there. That might let you do what you're looking for.

Yes, I have, and it isn't possible. I'm going to end up setting up a key on my nostromo as a left click (I think I can do that). I want to take the stress of all that clicking off my right hand.

[Vinda-Lou]

Love the art style.  Love the little things like a small cave-in on a wall of tombs; the dirt pours out in a tiny avalanche and suddenly a zombie crawls out...

Yet I feel like it's a little too streamlined.  The levelng up feels like a straight line even with a few branching choices.  It doesn't emit fear like Diablo II did - I was nervous to leave the first little village and actually used health vials.  Here, I don't think I was ever at risk and I don't know why I even have health vials this time.

Also, am I missing the run key somewhere?  I didn't see it in options.

Where are the Town Portal scrolls?  I just made it to the cemetary and am getting loaded with loot, but there is no easy way of getting back to town quickly, so far.  I'm a barbarian.

And why is Cain silent when I talk to him?  Doesn't he want me to stay for a while anymore?

The game is fun and surely worthy of the Diablo name.  Already had me saying -just five more minutes- for the last two hours... Good thing there is the option to have a clock displayed on the hud!

[Harpua3]

I've played a number of characters to level 5 and 6 and luv this game. It's freaking Diablo and that's exactly what I wanted. But why can't I adjust stats as I level?

I can't decide which character to press on with but I'm really digging the monk.

Edit: I'm playing on a 27" iMac and it's running really well at full rez. I have shadows turned down but that's the only thing I tweaked.

What I wanted to hear!!!

[whiteboyskim]

I HAVE THE SOLUTION TO ERROR 37!!!!

Pre-order Torchlight 2 like I just did. 

[Zarkon]

Was playing with someone and got disconnected, and now can't connect back in.

[Qantaga]

Where are the Town Portal scrolls?

 

Spoiler for Hiden:

That little mystery will be solved for you soon. Keep pressing on a little further.

[Crusis]

Hmm. Maybe I spoke too soon. I just got booted out and can't get back in. I can't remember, did Starcraft 2 have these problems at launch? Annoying, but I'm sure the last thing Blizzard wants is any kind of outage on launch day.

Bummer, too. I was in an EPIC fight surrounded on all sides, taking on some massive beast that towered over me, the blood vial was pulsing, quaff a potion, get ready to finish the beasty and BAM! Disconnected.

[Scraper]

It's a disco ball here too. I guess I will go to bed for the night.

[Blackjack]

Great fun when it works. Zarkon and I got to co-op for a while in the areas just past the Skeleton King. Then he seemed to time out, then I started getting period error messages, and eventually I timed out

Earlier when I timed out, rebooting and then relogging in seemed to work. Gonna try that again and then call it a night if it doesn't work. I at least got to L11 when you get add that flaming arrows rune to Rapid Fire. 

[skystride]

Note to self: once logged in, don't even contemplate going back to character screen to make some more characters.  Keep playing!

[siege]

Just got booted. Kinda urks me that Im being disconnected from a game Im playing in single player. Got to level 8 and I like it quite a bit but it's not grabbing me like the first two did. I may just chalk that up to my being older and less enthused with video games but I honestly feel like it's missing something. It's certainly far too streamlined and the voice acting/story is a little goofy.

Gonna try to go back in for a little more time with it...


...or not. Bnet is down.

[Gratch]

Was able to log on for about 3 hours tonight. As I was literally 2 steps away from clicking the cemetery checkpoint, I got disconnected...so I'll have to play back through the last 20'ish minutes again from the last checkpoint.    Tried to log back in and got the "servers too busy" error.

Aside from that, I'm thoroughly enjoying my barbarian. The "old shoe" analogy fits very well here: there's nothing revolutionary, just some gameplay and mechanics that are very comfortable and fun.

BTW, I'm Skinypupy on Bnet.

[Hotfreak]

So I just got an email from Blizzard saying that they were unable to process my payment and so they have deactivated my account. 

I checked my credit card statement and I have been charged for the purchase.  Went to battle.net and, sure enough, they have dropped me back down to Starter Account.

Somewhat frustrating to say the least.  Anyone else have this happen?

[Caine]

methinks this is a server wide outage this time.  even the forums are down.  twitter feed is a bit quiet on the specifics though.

so much for getting any time in this tonight.  this launch has been hell, no pun intended. 

before the servers went down, i tried to get in.  15 failed requests in as many minutes. 

[Gratch]

Wow. This is getting a Dragon Age 2 type response on Amazon and Metacritic user reviews. Happy I decided to wait on it... maybe I'll play some more Torchlight 2 beta...

Nerdrage is hilarious/ridiculous to me.  Yes, the game has some issues today with half the planet trying to log in at once.  We can all agree that it's very frustrating, but I'd be shocked if the problems persist past the next 24-48 hours.  

[Blackjack]

This just in from the Blizzard News Room! NEWS FLASH!
"We are working on problems concerning the Battle.net 'So-Called Service' and you will be unable to play anything on it whatsoever!
Isn't it great you'll be able to get a good night's sleep when you thought you'd be playing Diablo III all night? Have a nice day!"
 
OMG. This is reminding me of Ultima Online at launch 1997. I'm sure that's not the comparison Blizzard wanted to get...

Yeah it's great fun when it works but I hate playing like I know any minute I'll get dropped. Good grief, it's like I'm back on dial-up, waiting for my 9600 baud modem to drop.  

[naednek]

So, while I can't play, I do have some good news (well for me)  About a month ago Amazon.UK had Diablo 3 for $47.  I had already preordered and had emailed Amazon, if they could price match.  They told me they don't price match their UK site.  So I moved on not really caring. 

Today I get an email saying they are refunding me $15 out of the blue.  To top that off I had already applied $20 in amazon trade in credit towards it so I effectively got Diablo 3 for $26!

[USMC Kato]

So, while I can't play, I do have some good news (well for me)  About a month ago Amazon.UK had Diablo 3 for $47.  I had already preordered and had emailed Amazon, if they could price match.  They told me they don't price match their UK site.  So I moved on not really caring. 

Today I get an email saying they are refunding me $15 out of the blue.  To top that off I had already applied $20 in amazon trade in credit towards it so I effectively got Diablo 3 for $26!

Grats! I guess you feel $33 less awful for a game that doesn't work    Played a few hours early evening, my ISP dropped for an hour then couldn't log on again.  Yay 

[Victoria Raverna]

Hmm. Maybe I spoke too soon. I just got booted out and can't get back in. I can't remember, did Starcraft 2 have these problems at launch? Annoying, but I'm sure the last thing Blizzard wants is any kind of outage on launch day.

Bummer, too. I was in an EPIC fight surrounded on all sides, taking on some massive beast that towered over me, the blood vial was pulsing, quaff a potion, get ready to finish the beasty and BAM! Disconnected.

Starcraft 2  let you to play single player without requiring constant internet connection to the server.

[skystride]

Wow. This is getting a Dragon Age 2 type response on Amazon and Metacritic user reviews. Happy I decided to wait on it... maybe I'll play some more Torchlight 2 beta...

Nerdrage is hilarious/ridiculous to me.  Yes, the game has some issues today with half the planet trying to log in at once.  We can all agree that it's very frustrating, but I'd be shocked if the problems persist past the next 24-48 hours.  

It's annoying because I can't play a single player game because of login issues.  This never used to be a problem for past single player games.

Lets hope you are right about 24-48 hours because it took Blizzard a month to fix Diablo 2 at release.

[leo8877]

Got my Witch Doctor to 19 and loving it.  I've been able to play about 7 hours today, even with the server issues. 

I've been experimenting with some new builds and some completely different ones than I used all in the beta.  Really enjoy the system they have setup for this.

[Harpua3]

Okay, I'm an idiot sucker... I'm downloading this now. Can't wait!