Parents' Guide to Diablo Immortal

Though it has some issues, this fantasy action/adventure game is as deep, compelling, and effortlessly engaging as the previous games in this series. Set between the events of Diablo II and Diablo III, Diablo Immortal casts you as a human who -- either alone or with other people -- must stop the evil that's corrupting the land. Played from an aerial perspective, the game has you using medieval weapons (swords, axes, arrows) and magic, all deployed through rechargeable special attacks, to dispatch such fantasy creatures as evil wizards, giant spiders, and hungry zombies, while you search for even better weapons and armor.

Now, admittedly, the mobile version would work better on a big screen than it does on your phone or tablet's small one. Not only is the virtual joystick uncomfortable if you play for a long time, but the screen can get cramped when you're surrounded by multiple enemies. You also can't play unless connected to the internet, and it doesn't have a pause button. Players will also need to balance whether they want or feel the need to spend lots of money on the possible chance to upgrade their characters, which isn't guaranteed thanks to the slot machine-like mechanics. But even with these limitations, Diablo Immortal still manages to be as deep and engaging as the other Diablo games were on console and PC. Not only does it have the same depth when it comes to your character, where they go, and who they fight when they get there, but the action is balanced so precisely -- not too tough, not too easy -- that you'll find yourself wanting to fight just one more battle ... and then another ... and then another. It's then that Diablo Immortal is most like its sister games: an exhilarating and addictive fantasy action/adventure game.