Parents' Guide to Diablo II/Diablo II Expansion

Game Windows 2003
Diablo II/Diablo II Expansion Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Jeremy Gieske , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 18+

Well-made, but not good for kids.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 18+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 7 parent reviews

age 11+

Based on 13 kid reviews

Kids say this game is often viewed as fun and addictive, offering plenty of replayability, though it is laden with violence and gory imagery that some parents may find inappropriate for younger audiences. While opinions vary on its appropriateness for children, several players suggest parental supervision for younger kids, pointing out the game's enjoyable mechanics despite its graphic content.

  • fun gameplay
  • addictive elements
  • parental supervision
  • graphic content
  • age suitability
Summarized with AI

What's It About?

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.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 7 ):
Kids say ( 13 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

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

Game Details

  • Platform : Windows
  • Pricing structure :
  • Available online? : Not available online
  • Publisher : Blizzard Entertainment
  • Release date : May 20, 2003
  • Genre : Role-Playing
  • ESRB rating : M
  • Last updated : October 9, 2025

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