When Diablo Immortal was first announced, the reaction from the core PC player base was… divisive, to say the least. “Do you guys not have phones?” became a notorious line. Now, with the game released for both mobile (iOS and Android) and PC in an open beta, we can definitively answer whether this mobile-first entry into Sanctuary is a worthy continuation of the iconic action RPG franchise.
The short answer? Yes and no.
The Good: Core Gameplay is Solid
Let’s start with the positives, and there are many. On a fundamental level, Diablo Immortal feels like a Diablo game.
- Combat and Controls: The moment-to-moment combat is smooth, visceral, and satisfying—a clear evolution from Diablo III‘s fluidity. Whether you’re playing with touch controls on a phone or a controller on PC, the action is responsive. Laying waste to hordes of demons with powerful, cooldown-based skills is pure, unadulterated fun.
- Visuals and Atmosphere: The game is visually stunning for a mobile title, capturing the dark, gothic atmosphere of Sanctuary. Character models, environments, and skill effects are all polished, making the world feel suitably grim and moody.
- Story and Lore: Set between the events of Diablo II and Diablo III, the story is surprisingly engaging. It serves as a decent bridge, featuring appearances from classic characters like Deckard Cain and introducing new threats to chase across Sanctuary’s zones.
- MMO Integration: The introduction of MMO elements works well in many respects. Running into other players in Westmarch, quickly forming four-person dungeon groups, and participating in large-scale faction-based PvP adds a feeling of a truly lived-in world, even if it sometimes breaks the traditional lone-wanderer fantasy.
For the first 20-30 hours—the length of the main campaign—Diablo Immortal delivers a fantastic, free-to-play ARPG experience. It’s a joy to level up, unlock new gear, and progress through the zones.
The Bad: Where the Hellfire Rages
Unfortunately, a great Diablo game is buried beneath a ruthless, predatory monetization structure that completely takes over the endgame. This is where the game earns its infamy and the lowest user scores in Blizzard’s history.
- Aggressive Monetization (The Elephant in Sanctuary): The game is heavily skewed toward a “pay-to-win” model, particularly concerning Legendary Gems. These gems are crucial for end-game character power, offering massive stat boosts that make a colossal difference in PvP and high-level PvE content.
- The Legendary Crest Gate: The best way to acquire these high-tier gems is by using Legendary Crests in Elder Rifts. While the game provides a trickle of free crests, the ability to purchase them with real money is what separates the casual player from the “whale” (the term for players who spend exorbitant amounts). It has been widely estimated that fully maxing out a single character can cost tens of thousands of dollars, or many years of relentless free-to-play grinding.
- Pacing and Level Walls: Once you hit the level cap, progression slows to a crawl, and the game begins to constantly prod you toward microtransactions. Leveling walls will halt story progress, forcing you to grind daily bounties and side activities—or, you guessed it, spend money to bridge the power gap.
- PvP Imbalance: The competitive PvP is a nightmare for free-to-play users. The stat advantage granted by max-tier Legendary Gems is so overwhelming that a player who has spent thousands of dollars will effortlessly dominate a skillful free-to-play player.
Final Verdict: Play, but Be Wary
Diablo Immortal is a genuinely well-made, fun, and beautiful action RPG for its entire campaign. If you treat it purely as a free, 20-30 hour Diablo experience that ends once the credits roll, you will have a great time. It is easily one of the best-playing ARPGs on mobile.
However, if you’re a long-time Diablo fan looking for a traditional, endless end-game loop to obsess over, where time and skill reward you fairly, be prepared for extreme frustration. The insidious and deeply entrenched pay-to-win mechanics will quickly make your character feel weak and your efforts worthless unless you are willing to make a significant financial investment.
Our advice: Download it, enjoy the campaign, and uninstall it before the temptation to climb the pay-to-win ladder sets in.