Welcome to Dungeon Master, PC Gamer's regular RPG column, where Online Editor Fraser Brown delves into PC gaming's most beloved and enduring genres. As we prepare for the arrival of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, I have been revisiting Sanctuary to sharpen my skills. While I initially bounced off the game in favor of seasonal distractions, I have finally found a way to enjoy Diablo 4 by simply embracing laziness.

The Complexity Gap: Diablo 4 vs. Path of Exile

I never thought Diablo 4 was terrible; the aesthetics and vibes align perfectly with the original titles, featuring legendary villains like Lilith and Mephisto. However, it previously left me feeling bored. Compared to the sheer potential of Path of Exile, the gameplay loop felt lacking.

The difference in complexity is staggering:

  • Path of Exile: Requires a "degree in dungeoneering" to master the massive passive skill tree.
  • Diablo 4: Functions more like a checklist that doesn't always reward deep experimentation.
  • Build Freedom: In PoE, you can begin wild experiments immediately, whereas Diablo 4 often feels underpowered until you reach the endgame.

While Path of Exile and Last Epoch offer more unusual, complex skill trees, I realized that Diablo 4 doesn't need to compete in that arena.

A New Era for Skill Trees in Lord of Hatred

According to Tyler Colp's glowing review of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, the way we build characters is changing. Previously, freestyling a build felt like running into dead ends in a maze because skills were often useless without specific items. Now, many of the most powerful effects are being moved directly into the skill trees.

While gear still matters, it is moving into a more supplementary role. During my recent playthrough on a warlock, I found myself swapping skills between quests just to see what worked. This experimentation eventually led me to create the world's strongest demon, proving that even in the current version of Diablo 4, there is room for discovery.

Finding Joy in the Frictionless Power Fantasy

Since we are still waiting for Lord of Hatred, I have had to make do with the current state of the game. My secret? I have stopped giving a damn about complex theorycrafting. Instead, I have embraced a popular Sorcerer build where I simply spit three flaming rays of death and watch things explode.

There is something incredibly satisfying about a frictionless murder party. I don't need to dedicate entire evenings to figuring out how not to suck; I just click on things and watch them die. While it feels strange that death is only a concern if I step away to make a sandwich, the ability to play without constant fear of dying is a welcome change for a casual session.

The current season also introduces the chance to temporarily play as the Butcher. Running around with meathooks and an oversized grill to incinerate demons is immensely fun. Even if it lacks the sheer boldness of Path of Exile's colony management or monster collecting, it provides exactly what I need: a polished, flashy, and easy-to-play power fantasy.