Diablo III, better on PC or Console?

[Blanky]

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.

Interesting! I loved D1 and D2 and was about to post saying I couldn't even be bothered to finish the demo for D3, but maybe I should give it a go on console.

 

[zerocool84]

Interesting! I loved D1 and D2 and was about to post saying I couldn't even be bothered to finish the demo for D3, but maybe I should give it a go on console.

I got it yesterday because it's $30 on Amazon right now and damn it's fun. You can tell they spent time to make sure it controls right on consoles. No hitches either or any slowdowns. I haven't been able to put it down since I got it yesterday. I'm addicted and now I should have never gotten it because I'm not going to be playing anything else for a long time so all those games I picked up on holiday sales are going to be sitting for a while. Plus depending on how long ago you played the demo, it's changed a lot.

http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/diablo-iii-ultimate-evil-edition

 

[Craig234]

It's hard for me to imagine the console controller being as good.

Two reasons off the top:

The K/M is easy to aim at different parts of the screen. I've always hated aiming around the screen with the controller.

The K/M has various commands to pick from you can hit number keys (at least Diablo II) to pick from - how do you pick from a lot of things with a controller that's not annoying?

 

[zerocool84]

It's hard for me to imagine the console controller being as good.

Two reasons off the top:

The K/M is easy to aim at different parts of the screen. I've always hated aiming around the screen with the controller.

The K/M has various commands to pick from you can hit number keys (at least Diablo II) to pick from - how do you pick from a lot of things with a controller that's not annoying?

It's a top down game, aiming is basically just rotating the stick. You're only ever moving up down left right, it's not an FPS. Plus they just map all abilities to buttons on the controller. You don't get like 20 abilities at one time. There's more than enough buttons to accommodate the amount of abilities at one time for the game.

 

[sweenish]

The question is probably more specific, like M6. Turret placement is important.

Not general direction placement, but actual placement. I'll probably just have to try the demo so I can form my own opinion on this.

 

[gorcorps]

It's hard for me to imagine the console controller being as good.

Two reasons off the top:

The K/M is easy to aim at different parts of the screen. I've always hated aiming around the screen with the controller.

The K/M has various commands to pick from you can hit number keys (at least Diablo II) to pick from - how do you pick from a lot of things with a controller that's not annoying?

It sounds like you're trying to figure out how to play diablo 2 on a console... Diablo 3 is quite different, and was designed to take advantage of a controller so it works well.

 

[zerocool84]

It sounds like you're trying to figure out how to play diablo 2 on a console... Diablo 3 is quite different, and was designed to take advantage of a controller so it works well.

From Kotaku:

My favorite part of playing*Diablo III*on the PS4 is how you move with the two joysticks. The left stick is the main way to steer your character around the map, and you can adjust his or her speed depending on how hard you're pressing it in any given direction. The right joystick, meanwhile, is how you dodge. Simply flicking it in any direction will send your character tumbling. This seemed like a minor addition at first, but it soon became one of my favorite tools to get out of a tense battle as fast as I could.

Much like the good old fashion mouse-and-keyboard combo, the gamepad provides a familiar template regardless of what character you're playing with. But what I love in particular about the PS4 version of*Diablo III*is that the DualShock 4 really feels like a different beast depending on which class you choose. The Demon Hunter and Witch Doctor both have strong ranged attacks, which makes for a more distant, tactically-oriented style of gameplay. Melee-friendly grunts like the Barbarian and the Crusader, meanwhile, are what really give the game a new*God of War-type vibe.

The real fun begins when playing the*Diablo III's*excellent multiplayer, however. I wasn't able to test out much of the new version's online offerings prior to launch, but I can already tell that local co-op will be a major asset for the Xbox One and PS4 versions, just like it was for the 360 and PS3 ones. There's something inescapably charming about playing a game with someone else when you're sitting right next to them. And*Diablo III*isn't just any game. It's a massive world filled with countless nooks and crannies. As much as I loved the original PC version, exploring all of those avenues got lonely at times, even when I was playing online.

http://kotaku.com/diablo-iii-feels-like-it-was-made-for-ps4-1623995959

 

[Tweak155]

I just tried the X360 demo because of this thread. I don't see the point in paying for it again if you already have it for PC, but if you don't... it's not bad. The multiplayer is actually pretty well done.

 

[sweenish]

I posted my thoughts on this after playing the demo in the PC Gaming Diablo thread.

I prefer the PC version. The console version is not bad, and if console is your only choice, I think you'll have fun.

But if you can play it on PC, I'd recommend that.

EDIT: kotaku again shows their stupidity. Melee classes getting compared to God of War? That's BS. There's so much hyperbole in there. Everyone was still riding the hate on Diablo train at the time, and smart loot alone was reason enough for them to sing the praises of the console versions. Everything else is hyperbole. Now those reviews are inaccurate.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Fyi, there's a +100% XP bonus from tomorrow through Monday for both PC and console.

 

[HitAnyKey]

Never played on the PC before but the Xbox One version is great fun. Game seems to work well with the controller. Currently on Act V (normal mode). Highly recommended.

 

[HOOfan 1]

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

That was my thought, but in that case, should I give Blizzard any of my money at all?

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

I've never played a Diablo game online, so none of that matters to me.

Single player experience is my main concern.

 

[vi edit]

I spent about 4 years of my life playing Diablo I & II on a PC. I know exactly how the game plays and the benefits of a PC and mouse clicking.

That being said, Diablo III on a console was a blast and the co-op modes are more fun than I *ever* had in network games on the originals. I've played Barbarian and Wizard characters, my wife plays the Demon Hunter. We have a blast. She's not an excessively skilled console gamer and can clean house with ranged attacks.

Once you shed the idea of pinpoint accuracy with a mouse click and accept that at it's heart it's a click happy button masher then you can let the fun flow and just sit back and kill stuff. The local co-op just seals the deal and makes it so much more fun.

 

[Raduque]

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.

I don't really care what happens online. I play Diablo solely for the single player aspect. I don't play multiplayer games, and if the only way to keep the online shit out of my offline games is playing it on a console vs the PC, so be it.

That was my thought, but in that case, should I give Blizzard any of my money at all?

The unfortunate side of it is, if you want to play a Diablo game, you have to give Blizzard money. I think I may just skip Diablo 4 or any further 3 Expansions entirely.

 

[clok1966]

The visuals were better on PC than my Xbox

remapping controls, how can it not be better? Of course if consoles let you remap (I have no idea, i played at a store, do not own). I can see a console only person preferring a gamepad, but if you use both (gamepad and mouse) the mouse if far more precise. Of course as many state, click fest, if you have mastered hitting 2 buttons at once on a gamepad face (hard in my opinion, my thumb is just not skilled enough, but Im sure many are) you should be good, i prefer a keyboard where all keys are top, so you can hit 5-6 at once (skills, directions, potions, targeting, etc).

simply a preference thing, you console more, console is choice, you keyboard more, PC is choice.

 

[vi edit]

Yeah you can remap controls in the console version. It's not to the level of keyboard since you only have so many buttons that you can manipulate, but it's not bad. Simply put, if you are a control freak a console isn't for you anyway. Consoles are casual appliances (my opinion) and cater to a more casual gameplay style.

The gameplay in Diablo III in a console is more casual than the PC version of the older ones I played. It's not better or worse, just different.

 

[Topweasel]

I have lately been putting several hours into RoS on my Xbox One. It's not even about being a casual gamer. Diablo is a game that will let you cater to being the top 1% if you really want to and you need a lot of precision and control along with a good understanding of the theorycrafting that goes into into speccing and gearing a character.

But lets not pretend Diablo 3 is anything other then what it is, it is a dungeon runner, loot pinata system, where 90% is about 100's of attempts at the same content. On top of that at higher levels 80% of the action is about handling 100's of generic mobs, some blue mobs and one or two yellow mobs at a time. The screen is frantic and mostly about nuking un speccific area's to widdle down obsticles to handful. The console lack of "precision" in this sense is not an issue. Specific mob fights is another thing altogether.

Then there are trade-offs. I am not a purest. Honestly the analog movement controls are a god send for the game instead of mouse moving or digital direction buttons. Well worth the loss of Precision in what is mostly a on screen CF 90% of the time. Playing in the comfort of a couch or bed on a big screen with your sound system going can be done on PC, but again becomes more complicated without the controller. Then to top it of probably one of the best Co-play games out there. I can seamlessly play from my room, shut down my xbox, go to my living room and play shared screen on our big tv on my roommates console, without any trouble at all.

Best way I could put it. Probably the best way to do the grind even if it's not the best way to do the crazy high number Torment 6 rifts. It's not like doing those Rifts get you anything more then slightly increased chance to get the gear anyone else can get.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I overlooked this thread but for me, I'm over constantly clicking on stuff in games. I get tired of it easily on PC. On a console with analog movement and a dodge ability, it would probably be more enjoyable for me. I played the free trial on PC, but haven't tried the console version. Take my opinion for what it is, an opinion based on my dislike of mouse clicking.

 

[IamDavid]

I just figured out theirs 4 player local multiplayer support in D3 on the XB1! This is awesome. Great way to play with the kids and have a good time. Very cool. Now its a 100X's better on the console.

 

[blackdogdeek]

But you need 4 gamepads. This is a pretty high barrier to entry, IMHO. If I could find two other gamepads for cheap I might consider playing this with my two kids.

 

[artemicion]

But you need 4 gamepads. This is a pretty high barrier to entry, IMHO. If I could find two other gamepads for cheap I might consider playing this with my two kids.

"Pretty high barrier to entry"? Seriously? It's pretty much the lowest barrier to entry I could fathom for a four player game.

 

[blackdogdeek]

"Pretty high barrier to entry"? Seriously? It's pretty much the lowest barrier to entry I could fathom for a four player game.

For the user to whom I responded, he would have to buy 3 more gamepads if they didn't already have them. At $60 each that's $180. I consider that high. I would even be hard-pressed to justify the $120 I'd need to shell out to play this one game with my two kids.

EDIT: The four of us play Monopoly Family Fun Pack on the Xbox one. That costs $30 and it's a four player game.

 

[dguy6789]

For the user to whom I responded, he would have to buy 3 more gamepads if they didn't already have them. At $60 each that's $180. I consider that high. I would even be hard-pressed to justify the $120 I'd need to shell out to play this one game with my two kids.

EDIT: The four of us play Monopoly Family Fun Pack on the Xbox one. That costs $30 and it's a four player game.

As opposed to 4 player D3 on the pc needing 4 PCs and 4 copies of the game? This is a PC vs console D3 thread.

 

[blackdogdeek]

As opposed to 4 player D3 on the pc needing 4 PCs and 4 copies of the game? This is a PC vs console D3 thread.

That's true. I forgot we were comparing it to PC costs.

 

[IamDavid]

definitely was worth the $180. very fun.