Giving The Fans Something To Cheer About: Blizzard Brings Act V of Diablo 3 to PC, Mac, and PS4 This Year.
It seems like good things do indeed come in threes as Blizzard intends to release a major piece of Diablo-related software for the third year in a row. In 2012, Diablo 3 was released for PC and Mac. This was followed in 2013 by console releases for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. This year, however, the company has announced a release not only for the Playstation 4 but also of the expansion Reaper of Souls.
Slated for a PC/Mac release on March 25, Reaper of Souls will offer a slew of new features for players to sink their teeth into. Not the least of which is the addition of a new class, the Crusader, and a fifth act of the game to play through. Other new introductions include new skills and runes for existing classes, new monsters, weapons, and an increased level cap from 60 to 70. Also a new artisan alongside the blacksmith and jeweller. The mystic will allow a form of enchanting, allowing players to gamble for a change to their items’ magical effects.
The PS4 version is set to be boxed as The Ultimate Evil Edition and will include the original Diablo 3 game as well. As yet, no release date has been given for the console release but is said to be sometime this year. As for current-gen console owners, Blizzard has stated that they are working on the PS4 version first and, following that, will look to porting it to the PS3/Xbox 360. But they have also noted that the extra power of the PS4 may prevent some features, if not the entire Reaper of Souls, from being ported back.
Console exclusive features set to make up for delay in release.
There are three new features that will be exclusive to the PS4 release of the game. Player mail, player gifts, and avenger kills will all be making an appearance on the console. The first two are fairly self-explanatory. A mailbox in town allows you to post items to your friends. Player gifts involve randomly finding mystery gifts for people on your friends list dropped from monsters. You can then send these to the designated player who can open it with any character of theirs and receive a level and class tailored item.
Avenger kills are far more exciting, however. If a monster is to kill you, it will level up, receive a unique name, and then jump through a portal into one of your friends’ games. Should your friend avenge you, you both get loot. But if your friend becomes the next victim, the monster levels up again and continues its rampage on another game.
To fight these increasingly powerful monsters, the Crusader class makes its appearance alongside the existing Diablo 3 classes. Crusaders operate in a unique position on the battlefield: they are mid-range fighters. Powered by the element of Wrath and wielding flails and gargantuan shields, the Crusader can cast spells that strengthen allies and weaken or damage foes.
Players will require a copy of the original game in order to play Reaper of Souls.
Reaper of Souls will be released in three different packages. Players who already own a copy of Diablo 3 can purchase the expansion for only AUD$44.95.
The digital deluxe edition gives players bonus weapon recipes, a Spectral Hound minion, and three extra slots for character creation. In addition to this, you will receive a Treasure Goblin companion pet for World of Warcraft, and Crusader-themed portraits for Battle.net and Melthael decals for Starcraft 2. The deluxe edition will set you back AUD$64.95.
A retail-exclusive collector’s edition features all the digital goodies as well as a Malthael mouse pad, hardback art book, and a Blu-Ray/DVD of behind-the-scenes information.
