OctilIery posted...
Uhhhhh You still have the huge map. The areas were as big or bigger than anything at that point in D2. The skill system adds a TON of possibilities, far more than D2 ever did. I haven't noticed any balancing issues between any of the classes. The magic is more than there, and while you may not like the game it doesn't sound like you have any actual complaints about it.
The outdoor map areas are small. The indoor maps are maybe just as big, yes, but the largest outdoor area I went through was the "hollow" on the way to the cemetery. There wasn't much freedom to roam and explore out there. I prefer outdoor areas to indoor most of the time. Indoor areas just feel confined typically, and I usually play a ranged character.
How does the skill system add a TON of possibilities when you can only have 6 active skills at a time? Was there some hidden option I didn't see where I could activate an ability not on my hotbar with a keyboard command? (To be fair, I never tried, so maybe the F-keys work just like before.) I mean, yeah, I can go into my skills menu and change what's on my bar, but that takes time to fiddle in the menu and then time waiting for the cooldown, at which point the moment has passed. Yes, I think it's nice that you can add one of five bonuses to the abilities, and THANK GOD that you don't have to save up 20 points for one of a select few precious skills. (IMHO 1.9 killed D2 with the synergies and the game being balanced around them because you had no choice but to max out one skill tree.) Still, I like having the flexibility to move between skills freely.
And as for the magic being there, you can't tell me what I feel. "The magic" is about how the game hits you. If it hits you in particular, great, I'm happy for you. But I didn't get that experience. I got more of a "I'm playing Diablo 2 with some stuff changed around" feeling, and none of the giddiness that should have come with finally playing a sequel that has been 12 years in the making.