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Gold is dropped in random amounts from monsters, but, unlike previous Diablo titles, it’s used in more meaningful ways, and far more scarce. Non-magic items are all but worthless, so when it comes to unwanted magic items you have to choose between selling them to a vendor for much-needed gold, auctioning them or breaking them down into parts for crafting at the blacksmith. I dream about it at night (seriously), and dwell upon it while I write this sentence.Įven when the randomly generated magic items have stats you don’t need they have a lot of value, even more so than before due to Diablo III’s revamped economy.
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No other game besides Diablo III has engaged my hunger – my need – to get loot in the same way. It results in instances of elation and frustration, but with the bad times come the moments where I’m enveloped in a sense of joy, where the hours I’ve spent wading through monsters for the umpteenth time feel more than worth it. Some items have their stats revealed the second you mouse over them, but when a yellow item drops and you have to wait to identify it there’s a moment where you feel like you’re waiting for lottery numbers to be announced. No matter how many times it happens I still click on the treasure as fast as I can, quickly opening up my inventory to see if I’ve hit the mother lode or a dud. Picking through the gore that was my enemies so I can pluck out the gold and choice items is like panning for precious metals. Bringing your axe down for a killing blow or blasting an enemy with a skill that rips the flesh from their bones is empowering, but the eruption of gold and treasure that spews into the air induces a rush of jubilation. Quality voice acting and some truly incredible cut-scenes between Acts help flesh out the universe, but past the first playthrough it’s not really anything worth paying attention to.Įven when the story failed to grab me, the loot system kept me hooked. But that doesn’t really matter all that much, because the story merely serves as a way to tie together the various dungeons and quests in your hunt for gear. Some people love Diablo III for its story, and the third’s narrative is stronger than its predecessor, but still filled with clichés and predictable twists.
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