Diablo III, better on PC or Console?

[HOOfan 1]

I downloaded the Barbarian gameplay trailer the day it came out in June of 2008, and I was so excited for Diablo III, until the announcement of always online and the real money auction house. So I waited on buying it, and my fears about the auction house and crappy loot drops seemed to be confirmed by player reviews.

I still haven't bought or played the game, but I read a bunch of console release reviews, and all of them said that the console version was better than the PC version. These reviews were however released before the death of the real money auction house and patches to make the loot drops better.

So my question, is: have patches to the PC version made it better than the console versions?

I am still not pleased with the always online requirement, but it is something I can live with if the PC version is much better than the console versions.

 

[artemicion]

IMO, if you think you'll take advantage of local co-op, console is clearly superior, since you can't do local co-op on PC.

Beyond local co-op, the two experiences are 99% identical. Some people like the console controls better, but I think the difference is a wash. I think melee gameplay is better suited for console, but ranged gameplay is better suited for mouse + keyboard. Either way, I don't think it's a significant difference.

Inventory management is a lot easier on PC.

 

[HOOfan 1]

I probably won't ever play the game other than single player.

I usually play as a Barbarian, but I did read that ranged attacks were kind of touchy with a game pad.

 

[gorcorps]

I enjoyed playing it on the PS4. I don't know if it was the controls or sitting on my couch on the bigger TV, but I didn't even get through the free trial portion on the PC before getting bored. It caught my attention much quicker on the console... so IMO that's what I'd go with.

 

[dguy6789]

Console version was masterfully done.

 

[Pheran]

Just be aware that the PS4 and Xbox One versions will get the latest patches; the last-gen console versions will not.

 

[Qbah]

Melee is a lot more fun for me on the PS4 - it makes you feel like the gamepad is an extension of your toon and all attacks feel very satisfying. Ranged is easier on the PC (point the mouse in the direction you want to shoot) - on the console, you need to point your toon in a direction and then shoot (it's a very big difference, especially for attacks like Wizard's disintegrate or skills like teleport were harder to use. Game runs at 60FPS on the PS4. A decent PC will run it at 60FPS too.

Source: I have it on both platforms and played all classes.

 

[HeXen]

I went with the PS4 one...well I asked for it for Xmas cause I wanted to use the gamepad.

 

[Anteaus]

Just be aware that the PS4 and Xbox One versions will get the latest patches; the last-gen console versions will not.

Not completely true. The Ultimate Evil Edition for all four platforms (XB1, PS4, 360, PS3) will get updates, assuming the updates are gameplay related. Only the original vanilla 360/PS3 version won't.

 

[KentState]

What is the online co-op like? Does the console have an easy way to get into a group?

I played it a lot when it came out on the PC, but all my friends haven't played in over a year.

 

[cyclohexane]

It's a clickfest, need a pc with mouse and keyboard. Otherwise it's not Diablo.

 

[zerocool84]

It's a clickfest, need a pc with mouse and keyboard. Otherwise it's not Diablo.

From the reviews I've read, it plays great with controller, lots of reviews say it's even better with a controller as well.

 

[Majcric]

Diablo 3 is one of the lone exceptions I feel is better on the console. But then ago I think it was developed with console in mind. No longer a PC exclusive. In this day and age who knows Diablo 4 may never even see PC or be released a year later like GTA is now.

 

[Raduque]

I'm considering trading in my 360 copies for an X1 Ultimate Evil copy.

I'm not supporting Blizzard's "always online" PC mess.

 

[digiram]

I played it to death on pc, and am thinking about going through it on console to do local co-op with my kids. There really isn't too much of that stuff on x1 currently.

 

[Garou24]

I played Diablo 3 on the PC when it came out. Completed all the Difficulty levels and maxed out a few Characters, so I had some time invested in it. I got the Xbox 360 version when it came out due to the new looting system and controller play. I enjoyed it even better than the PC version. Plus same screen co-op was tons of fun. I would recommend the console version over the PC now after playing both.

 

[dguy6789]

I played it to death on pc, and am thinking about going through it on console to do local co-op with my kids. There really isn't too much of that stuff on x1 currently.

Just so you know each player will need their own Gamertag.

 

[sweenish]

I'm considering trading in my 360 copies for an X1 Ultimate Evil copy.

I'm not supporting Blizzard's "always online" PC mess.

That mess keeps the hackers, pirates, and dupers out. Also the gold farmers.

I just got booted for no good reason, but it's done a great job of keeping the community largely clean of the leeches and most annoying parts.

I'll take the occasional hiccup in this case for a much better community.

 

[sweenish]

I played Diablo 3 on the PC when it came out. Completed all the Difficulty levels and maxed out a few Characters, so I had some time invested in it. I got the Xbox 360 version when it came out due to the new looting system and controller play. I enjoyed it even better than the PC version. Plus same screen co-op was tons of fun. I would recommend the console version over the PC now after playing both.

PC got the new loot system as well. That argument is moot.

It's also not a fair comparison if you never re-visited the PC version.

 

[Drako]

Just so you know each player will need their own Gamertag.

Why is that a big concern? :hmm:

 

[zerocool84]

Why is that a big concern? :hmm:

Because usually if you want to play with someone else you just want to get in and play, not go through the hassle of having to set up your own profile.

 

[Dumac]

Diablo 3 was made for consoles, so naturally I would assume that's the better version.

 

[futurefields]

Heard it plays great on console (even the last gen ones) so if thats all you have and want to play D3 then get it.

That being said, to me Diablo is a PC series and the absolutely best experience is had on a solid PC.

 

[DilipVasan]

The visuals were better on PC than my Xbox

 

[Garou24]

PC got the new loot system as well. That argument is moot.

It's also not a fair comparison if you never re-visited the PC version.

I went back to the PC when Reaper of Souls came out since the consoles did not have that yet. I enjoyed the expansion itself, but I like controls of the console even after years of diablo on the PC. Plus same screen co-op with friends on my sofa was a lot of fun.