Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Name: Diablo: Battle Chest
Item: Diablo: Battle Chest
Author: Retro Replay

The Diablo: Battle Chest offers a sprawling hack-and-slash experience that spans the original Diablo, Diablo II and its expansion, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. From the brooding corridors of the Cathedral in the first game to the rugged wilderness and ancient deserts of Diablo II, the core gameplay loop of exploring randomized dungeons, fighting hordes of monsters, and collecting ever-more-powerful loot remains as addictive as ever. Each installment refines the combat pace and complexity: Diablo’s straightforward click-to-attack gives way to Diablo II’s deeper skill trees and refined itemization, while Lord of Destruction adds rune words, new character classes, and the expansive Act V storyline.

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Character progression feels rewarding throughout all three titles. Players can choose from classic classes like the Barbarian or Sorceress in Diablo II, then expand their repertoire with the Assassin and Druid in Lord of Destruction. The included strategy guides (separate Prima guides in the German release) help newcomers optimize builds and discover hidden synergies, ensuring that both casual gamers and min-maxers find value. Multiplayer also remains a highlight: local network or online play lets friends team up to clear dungeons together or compete in PvP skirmishes.

Replaying each act never grows old, thanks to the series’ randomized map generation and loot-driven progression. The XP/Vista–compatible version released in North America ensures smoother performance on modern systems, though PC veterans may miss community-made mods that rejuvenate the visuals or add quality-of-life features. Nevertheless, the core gameplay lineage—from Diablo’s claustrophobic first steps to the sprawling warfare of Lord of Destruction—creates one of the most cohesive and replayable action-RPG packages on the market.

Graphics

When Diablo first launched, its dark, torch-lit pixel art set a new standard for atmosphere. The Battle Chest preserves this brooding aesthetic, and while Diablo’s graphics feel dated compared to its successors, the sense of dread in every shadow remains palpable. Diablo II, built on a more advanced engine, delivers richer environments, smoother animations, and more detailed monster sprites. You’ll notice incremental improvements in lighting, weather effects, and environmental variety as you travel from the Blood Moor to the jungles of Kurast.

Lord of Destruction pushes the visuals further by adding new terrain types—snowy mountains, sprawling siege camps—and overhauled spell and ability animations. The Diablo II: Lord of Destruction expansion also adds higher-resolution art assets for many existing monsters and unique items, giving a subtle polish to the base game’s visuals. While you won’t find modern high-definition textures or real-time shadows here, the timeless hand-crafted style ensures that mobs remain distinct and loot remains exciting to unearth.

The German release even includes a soundtrack CD, which complements the on-screen action with Matt Uelmen’s haunting score. From the chant-like opening of Diablo’s town theme to the pounding drums of Hell’s depths, the music elevates the graphical presentation by reinforcing mood and immersion. Overall, the Battle Chest’s visual journey—from pixel darkness to refined 2D artistry—stands as a testament to Blizzard’s evolving design philosophy during the early 2000s.

Story

The Battle Chest chronicles the saga of Sanctuary from its humble beginnings in the original Diablo to the cataclysmic confrontation with Baal in Lord of Destruction. In Diablo, you descend into the Cathedral of Tristram to face the Lord of Terror himself, setting the stage for an epic struggle between angels and demons. The narrative is delivered through brief, atmospheric cutscenes and item lore, leaving much to the player’s imagination and heightening every descent into the depths.

Diablo II expands the lore by sending your hero across multiple continents in pursuit of the fallen Dark Wanderer. Encounters with the Prime Evils—Diablo, Mephisto and Baal—are interwoven with subplots involving the rogue-like Blood Raven, the damned Horadrim, and the haunting desert city of Lut Gholein. The game’s dialogue and in-engine cinematics deepen the world-building, giving character motivations and moral stakes that resonate through each chapter.

Lord of Destruction frames the final act of this dark trilogy: the unrelenting siege on Mount Arreat to stop Baal from corrupting the Worldstone. Along the way, you meet new NPCs, unravel ancient prophecies, and determine the fate of humanity itself. The strategy guides included in the package provide additional background on Diablo’s mythology and character classes, allowing lore enthusiasts to fully appreciate the intricate tapestry woven across all three games.

Overall Experience

As a comprehensive collection, the Diablo: Battle Chest delivers unparalleled value for fans of action-RPGs. By bundling Diablo, Diablo II, and the Lord of Destruction expansion (along with official strategy guides and, in the German edition, a soundtrack CD), this package invites both newcomers and veterans to experience one of gaming’s most influential trilogies in one cohesive purchase. The German Battle Chest’s inclusion of separate Prima guides ensures you’ll have quick-reference build tips at your fingertips, while the North American XP/Vista–compatible disc future-proofs your installation.

Installation and compatibility are generally smooth, though purists may want to patch the games to the latest community-supported versions for online multiplayer or quality-of-life tweaks. The omission of the original Diablo from the German Battle Chest and the XP/Vista release is notable—if you crave the very first game’s darker textures and brutal difficulty, be sure you’re purchasing the edition that includes it. Otherwise, Diablo II and Lord of Destruction alone offer dozens of hours of robust gameplay and narrative depth.

In summary, Diablo: Battle Chest remains a must-have for action-RPG aficionados. Its polished progression systems, atmospheric graphics, and epic storyline come together in a package that honors the legacy of Blizzard’s early hits. Whether you’re rediscovering Sanctuary or embarking on the journey for the first time, this collection provides a densely packed adventure that continues to influence dungeon-crawlers to this day.