Diablo: Hellfire Review by: janus - 9.2/10
Hellfire: a Nice Improvement for DiabloPlease note that Hellfire is merely an expansion of the original Diablo game, for which you can find my review here. This review will merely focus on the specifics of the expansion and will be short.After the vast success of Diablo, Blizzard Entertainment decided to get gamers more blood and more creepy depths to explore. And so in 1998 they released Diablo: Hellfire, and expansion to the original 1996 game. It's larger, it's bloodier and it even has another character.
Graphics: 7/10
The graphics are exactly the same as in Diablo. They were fine for 1996, but back in 1998 they started to date a little. PSX games were improving tremendously - think Final Fantasy VIII compared to Final Fantasy VII.
Nevertheless the game was still appealing to the eye. Hellfire provides two bonus dungeons: the Hive and the Crypt. To access the former you must gain the trust of a new non-playing character, the farmer. After you reach the catacombs or so, he will give you a bomb you must use south of where he stands in order to gain access to it. The Hive is four levels deep and was well-drawn - although you don't see individual beehives. It's more of a bugs' nest, as you mostly see insectoid enemies
When you complete that quest you can gain access to the crypt, which was much better-drawn. It's slightly east of the church, by a cemetery. It also features four levels that are more in harmony with the rest of the original Diablo game. The walls are made of brick and the enemies, like the winged "buffalo", feel more Diablo-like.
The expansion also features a new character: the monk. Like most people of his kind in video games, his body is his weapon. When he doesn't carry one, his mighty kick is what is necessary to beat foes. In fact, his kick produces more damage in the early game that the stick, his weapon of choice. But the stick has the advantage of having a wider ranger of attack, and since his dexterity is higher than the magician he won't be left defenseless. Like the three other characters he was well-drawn with human proportions. But then again, as it's 1998, it looks a little simplistic. His special ability is vision, which allows him to highlight any treasure on the floor. Since he's a monk, couldn't it have been some kind of mental control or super strength?
In addition, I thought both bonus levels were too... bright. Especially in the hive, there seems to be too much bright coloring in a game with a creepy environment.
But on the plus side: characters can run in the village. It may not look like much but this feature dramatically improved the gameplay. Not only is it easier (for me) to profit from the armor duplication trick, but it makes the game less tedious. People who played the original Diablo will understand what I mean: how long was it before your character walked from the church to the fountain and then to the witch?
Music: 9/10
Along with the original tracks, the game features two new ones, namely from the two new dungeons. The hive has a kind of mystical sound, as if you were entering a fortune teller's booth (with the hanging small metal sticks that produce music).
The crypt's music, although looping shorter than most tracks, was a much better composition. It featured a choir and some screams of anguish along with a military drum that make for a good ambiance.
Like other characters, the monk can talk too. His voice resembles that of the wizard, which slightly decreases the originality and makes him sound too old despite his fit appearance. Originality decreases too because the farmer, er, doesn't sound like one. He seems "too" learned to be one - no offense to anyone in agriculture.
Addictiveness: 10/10
Despite marginal improvements the game will still keep you busy.
As I said above, the running option adds a lot to gameplay. Although you still walk in the dungeon, you can finally skim through the city that doesn't have much to offer to you anyway.
And for all of us humans, we have a natural instinct for exploring, so the more there is the happier we are especially when it comes to gaming. Don't forget that you can still control the warrior, the archer and the wizard ;)
Story: 0/10
Unfortunately, the expansion brings absolutely nothing new to the game. The two new dungeons are completely optional and you don't need to even open the hive to kill Diablo. Blizzard should have put a little more effort.
Depth: 10/10
Nevertheless, these optional dungeons are HUGE.
They add a total of eight new places to explore, with new enemies ready to gut you out. Their size is comparable to that of the regular dungeon so you will have plenty to explore in both.
Difficulty: 7/10
When playing as the monk, I thought the game was more difficult than with the other characters.
His movements are only fluid when he kicks or when he uses his stick. So in the lower part of the dungeon - especially if you fall on the acid-spitting beats - you will be at a disadvantage. And since he casts magic at a slower pace than the wizard, don't count on his agility with sticks to make him a super mage.
Nevertheless, Diablo: Hellfire is a fine game lovers of Diablo should try - and those who didn't should go straight to it. The graphics and music were decent and the addition of a character and new dungeons gave a new depth to the game. Plus, you will finally NOT waste your time in town since you can run.
Graphics
7 Sound
9 Addictive
10 Depth
10 Story
1 Difficulty
7
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