Fans of the traditional ARPG format have been treated quite well in recent years, with major titles likeDiablo 4receiving regular seasonal content,Path of Exile 2launching into early access, and newcomers likeLast Epochmaking a name for themselves. However, fans of classic titles still have a lot to enjoy too, withDiablo 2: ResurrectedandDiablo 3still seeing thriving communities even in the wake of more modern titles.Diablo 3fans can jump back into the game for the ongoing Season 34, whileDiablo 2: Resurrectedfans can currently participate in Ladder Season 10.
DespiteDiablo 4absorbing most of theDiabloplayer base when it released back in 2023, there are still dedicated fans keepingDiablo 3andDiablo 2active in a post-D4world. OnebenefitDiablo 2has overD3is the fact that it received the remasteredResurrectedrelease back in 2021, bringing the game up to date over 20 years after its initial release. Even with this remaster,Diablo 3still held the larger player base of the two until very recently, perhaps signaling that it’s time forDiablo 3to get its ownResurrectedversion.
Diablo 2: Resurrected Recently Eclipsed Diablo 3’s Player Counter
Diablo 3has always been somewhat of the black sheep of the series, making some controversial changes to the existing formula of the very popularDiablo 2. As such, much ofDiablo 3’s player base was split from the get-go when it was released in 2012, with manyDiablofans opting to stick with the tried and trueDiablo 2instead of hopping on the latest entry. Despite this initial controversy,Diablo 3has grown into a beloved entryin its own right, as can be seen by the healthy player count it enjoys more than 30 seasons later.
Still,Diablo 2andDiablo 3have continued to share a rivalry of sorts between fans who prefer the gameplay of one over the other. This rivalry was reignited in 2021 whenDiablo 2: Resurrectedwas released to an audience eager forDiablo 4to take the torch fromDiablo 3as the current mainline title. Although the player count ofDiablo 3andDiablo 2: Resurrectedhas fluctuated in recent years, especially after the release ofDiablo 4,currentDiablo 2: Resurrectedstatisticsput it at a higher player count thanDiablo 3, meaningDiablo 3may want to strike back with a remaster of its own to bring fans back into the fold.
Why the Time is Right for a Diablo 3 Remaster
Diablo 2: Resurrectedprovided a much-needed overhaul to the visuals of the original release just over 20 years after it first launched. WhileDiablo 3is only approaching its 15th anniversary, its visuals are starting to become more dated every year. Not only are they dated, but manyDiablofans were not happy with the more cartoon-y style the game took compared toD2, so a remasteredDiablo 3could end up killing two birds with one stone in this department.
Another reason why aDiablo 3remaster could find success now is the current drought in content forDiablo 4. Although the game is coming off the heels of theVessel of Hatredexpansion released at the end of 2024, the initial forecast Blizzard gave for yearly expansion releases seems to already be outdated, with the developer confirming the next majorDiablo 4expansion won’t be released until 2026. To fill this gap, Blizzard could lean on aDiablo 3remaster—much like they did withDiablo 2: Resurrectedin the time leading up toDiablo 4’s initial release—to giveD3a breath of new life now that it’s been eclipsed byDiablo 2: Resurrected.
