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Diablo II/Diablo II Expansion

(2003, Computer Software - Role Playing Games, Rated M, Play it on: Windows)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Well-made, but not good for kids.

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    None really: The ideas of Heaven and Hell could open a discussion on religion and theology.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Majority of the game involves violence, either physical or magical. The battles can be quite bloody--larger monsters, in particular, can explode into a large puddle of blood and guts. Multiple scary themes, demons, battles, blood, violence.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Diablo II/Diablo II Expansion was written by Jeremy Gieske

Parents need to know that this game contains almost constant fighting -- there is very little storyline. In addition, young players could be frightened by the cinematic interludes, which contain torture, demon possession, and battles.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about the violence in this game. Do you enjoy the constant action, or do you prefer more of a story?
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More on Diablo II/Diablo II Expansion

What’s the Story?

The premise of DIABLO II involves the character taking on Diablo, which is, of course, another name for the Devil. The expansion pack picks up where Diablo II leaves off, by having the character fight Diablo's "brother" Baal. The idea of Heaven versus Hell is prominent throughout the games, with the player being assisted by an angel of sorts while taking on various demons and monsters, all the while building up to the battle with Diablo, and later Baal.

Diablo was one of the first popular games to employ a "real-time" aspect of gameplay: With every click of the mouse, the player can move a sword or cast a spell to attack enemies. Strategy primarily involves choosing the best weapon or spell your character can use.

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Is It Any Good?

Diablo II and its expansion pack contain a rudimentary story that, while well done, only serves as a weak link from one battle to the next. Perhaps one of the more worrisome aspects is the direct correlation between player action and violence.

The battles can be quite bloody -- larger monsters, in particular, can explode into a large puddle of blood and guts. The potentially scary segments are mostly contained in cinematic segments between the main "acts." These scenes tie the overall story together, and contain some of the most disturbing scenes, including battles, possession by demons, torture, and fires. Although undoubtedly a popular and well-made game, Diablo II isn't a good choice for kids.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 05/20/2003, price $30, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M

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See all 19 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Good game, old graphics

    I've played this and the original Diablo for quite a while. While there is a lot of violence, most of it is pixilated, and it is fairly old graphics. Also, you never kill a real human (at least as far as I've gotten, I've never beat it, because my little brother kept deleting my saves), so while there's violence, it's against made-up creatures. Overall, a good game.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Safety is an issue

    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Enjoyable, but very violent

    I got this game for my thirteenth birthday, and have been playing for several years.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Easy to play

    Very fun, but is violent.

    Diablo 2 is a very fun and adventerous game. Although very fun, this game contains bones and blood when monsters and demons die. When a necromancer casts the spell " raise skeloton " on a corpse, the dead body enplodes, splashing massive amounts of blood, about fifteen times the regular amount when a monster just dies, and when a fallen dies, its head gets departed, and spills blood more than the other monsters do. Once you reach deeper in the acts,you will see more blood.But in the options, you can change the graphics and colors, making blood seem more "purple" . You might learn a bit from the game, and i personally think that this should be rated "T" . Also in the monastery, you can see partial non sexual nudity of anderial, a strong boss. It would be friendly if Diablo 3 had a blood off option.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue

    lots of gameplay for your money, but not for kids

    Diablo is an older game, but it still sells, with good reason. It's a great game that you can literally play for years without getting tired of it. Unfortunately, it's not kid stuff. The online chat is totally unfiltered and the community that plays Diablo is almost totally taken over by cheaters, griefers, trolls and other miscreants. It's possible to play the game offline, single player, which is safe. However, the game has graphics and imagery not suitable for younger kids (although the graphics are small and crude by today's standards) - thing like people that have been impaled on stakes, torture chambers, (small, pixilated) blood.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Perfect for kids any age but only if you feel like talking to them

    Well when I was a little kid as in 3 or 4 I played the original Diablo Oh so much fun it was. Then came out Diablo 2 then LoD. I was level 98 one month into the game about to fight Baal only at the age of 6! Yes I had the Heaven and Hell talk but. Just say "Heaven is where good people are. Hell is where the devils are." P.S I played Heros 3 at the age of 2. Also you can set the GORE off in Diablo 2.

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