Nintendo Switch breathes new live into iconic game with Diablo III Eternal Collection

THIS highly acclaimed demon-fighting action-RPG makes its way to Nintendo Switch. But is it worth unsheathing your sword once again to experience?

THE Diablo games from Blizzard are one of those iconic titles that most gamers have played at some point, partly because they’ve been around seemingly forever and partly because they’re excellent examples of the action-RPG hack ’n’ slash genre.

Ever since the series first hacked its way onto the scene in 1996, gamers have enjoyed delving into dungeons and fighting mythical creatures as they seek to slay Diablo, the Lord of Terror, who is making a special guest appearance from the depths of hell to wreak havoc on the world.

The game has gone through several iterations over the years, with the most recent title being Diablo III, released in 2012 and still played with enthusiasm several years later by legions of fans.

The adventure game seems a natural fit for a portable console like the Nintendo Switch, and that’s exactly where the most recent entry in the series — Diablo III Eternal Collection is making an appearance from November 2.

There are seven classes to choose from — barbarian, crusader, demon hunter, monk, necromancer, witch doctor and wizard.

One of the reasons for the game’s success on other platforms has been its simplicity, combined with Blizzard’s famous levels of polish and detail. On the face of it, it’s run around and slash/shoot everything that looks remotely unholy, but there’s plenty of depth here as well, with different classes, abilities, weapons and equipment to fit out as you fight against Diablo’s minions.

There are seven classes to choose from — barbarian, crusader, demon hunter, monk, necromancer, witch doctor and wizard — and no shortage of loot, in the forms of weapons, equipment, armour and assorted shiny things.

The controls on the Switch version were very easy to pick up — even my wife, who isn’t a gamer, was able to pick up and get into it without too much trouble, and there’s plenty of customisation options available too.

Indeed, while the graphics aren’t cutting edge by 2018 standards, they’re absolutely fine for the Switch’s handheld screen and fit the tone and style of the game nicely.

Dungeon delving doesn’t have to be a solo affair, either — you can join together with up to three friends via wireless LAN connection or the internet to brave the horrors that await in company.

The gameplay’s fast-paced action doesn’t miss a beat.

The game includes not only the base Diablo III, but its expansions and add-ons, including the Reaper of Souls expansion, the Necromancer pack, all the game updates, and some Nintendo-specific in-game items.

Game-wise, everything is unlocked right from the word go, so if you’ve already finished the game previously, you can jump right into the extra stuff like the adventure mode, challenge rifts, or the seasonal content.

While the Switch is a portable console and very good at what it does, it’s not the most powerful of the consoles out there and this can sometimes be apparent with game performance, but Diablo III Eternal Collection had no issues at all — no matter how crazy things were getting on screen with fireballs exploding, arrows flying and swords slashing, it never missed a beat.

The game includes a bunch of expansions and add-ons.

A word of warning though; if you’re planning on playing the game away from internet (eg in waiting rooms, on aircraft, visiting relatives who still think John Howard is Prime Minister) you’ll want to make sure you create an offline character first, or connect to the internet before you leave the modern world and suspend the game before heading out — if the game can’t connect to the servers, you can’t access the seasonal or online content.

The Nintendo Switch is proving itself to be a great platform with an ever-increasing library of top-notch games, and Diablo III Eternal Collection is a very worthy addition to it, and definitely merits consideration for a place in your collection.

The fact this is essentially a six-year-old game and it still holds up so well is testament to the great work Blizzard have done porting the title to the Switch, making sure everything that’s been enthralling gamers for so long is preserved while still making it feel fresh and inviting.

There’s a lot to keep you occupied here, so if you have missed Diablo III previously, or are looking for something to enjoy while on the go, then this ticks a lot of boxes and comes recommended for series fans and newcomer dungeon-delving enthusiasts alike.