Apocalypse Then: Diablo II

Developer: Blizzard North
Publishers: Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, HanbitSoft
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X
Release date: June 29, 2000
Genres: Action role-playing game (hack and slash)

On this day in gaming, in 2000, Diablo II was released. It is the sequel to the original, Diablo, and was one of the most popular games of 2000- achieving numerous Game of the Year awards.

An expansion pack, Lord of Destruction, was released in 2001.

A sequel, Diablo III, is in development currently, and has come under a lot of fire due it's art direction, with many claiming it has departed from the series signature dark, brooding, evil style, and gone for a brighter, more colourful approach.

You can pick up Diablo II if you want to play a classic. Otherwise you can also try Diablo II Collector's Edition, or Hellraiser, an unofficial expansion pack for Diablo II.

For more, check here.

Apocalypse Then: Diablo II

Another Identity Crisis and Whining over Art Direction: Borderlands

Yet another game, this time Borderlands, is suffering from what seems like an identity crisis. Either that or it’s just that fact that people are getting it wrong and it’s misunderstood. People have been whining that the game’s new graphics looks as though it’s cel-shaded, like Crackdown or Prince of Persia.

Gearbox claims it’s not cel-shaded but instead uses an illustrative art design.

If people were pi$$ed off about Diablo III’s art direction, then there should be no end of pleas to stop this trend from spreading, with the more traditional method of using cutting edge technology in games nowadays to make them as life-like as possible, especially with big name games, and specifically in the first person shooter genre.

Another Identity Crisis and Whining over Art Direction: Borderlands