flootz
02-11-2008, 10:59
Let's discuss what environments you would like to appear in Diablo III. From themes to specific areas you'd like to see.
I'd like to see something truly epic in D3. Due to the limitations in D2 you couldn't really feel this. For example the Worldstone keep could've been so much more; something remeniscant of the mines of Moria, just more surreal and grand. I'd imagine vast passageways and bridges, and huge monolithic structures that couldn't have been constructed by mortal hands. Seeing glimpses of other parts of the keep when traversing an impossibly deep chasm, for example, would've really given a sense of epic scale. In Diablo 3 I hope Blizzard does something like this; giving you the feeling of travelling deep into the earth's core.
Same thing goes for act2; imagine gigantic tomb entrances that have withstood the test of time over thousands of years (LotR films again - remember the Argonath scene?), looming over your character as you leave the sun scorched valley of the kings into the deep dark of Tal Rasha's tomb, which would also be comparatively huge and epic, containing vast atriums and chambers, huge monuments of human achievement built to glorify the dead. I want a feeling of something greater than just trudging through some crummy old tomb.
Being on the Arreat summit somewhat captured this essence of epicness, I think it was executed quite well given the limitations of the game engine. There was a sense of achievement finally reaching the peak of the mountain and looking down onto the plateau.
Immersiveness is also something that could be greatly improved for d3. I think playing act1 and 5 for the first time was the most immersive experience for me in Diablo2 (it was probably the music that did it for me). Half Life 2 was a game that really drew you in. It was the feeling for solitude and that false sense of security you had that really made it an immersive game. The mood and ambience of the environment was something I thought was perfected (particularly in the coastal regions - I absolutely loved the portion of the game in and around that bridge level). Moments like this could really make Diablo 3 a great game. These moments of solitude and peace, hearing nothing but the wind and the birds (a good suspense builder).
As for themes; Diablo 2 pretty much had it all covered. I'd like to see something like Skovos (even though that's not coming in vanilla D3). I love the Greek islands theme - looking out over azure waters. Obviously I'd like to see the high heavens, I think that could really be pulled off in the new engine.
One thing in particular I'd like to see are vast bustling cities; cities so huge you could get lost in them - with winding streets that lead into the slums or the overcrowded market districts; great courtyards in the middle of the city to towering keeps in the mountainside. Something that was never in Diablo 2 (well - it was done to an extent in act2 and 3) were crowds of NPC's walking the streets - simple non-interactive ones that give life to the city/town. It felt pretty strange having 12 odd people living in Lut Gholein, the "thriving port city".
Oh and one more thing; Pine forests. That'd be cool. :yes:
I'd like to see something truly epic in D3. Due to the limitations in D2 you couldn't really feel this. For example the Worldstone keep could've been so much more; something remeniscant of the mines of Moria, just more surreal and grand. I'd imagine vast passageways and bridges, and huge monolithic structures that couldn't have been constructed by mortal hands. Seeing glimpses of other parts of the keep when traversing an impossibly deep chasm, for example, would've really given a sense of epic scale. In Diablo 3 I hope Blizzard does something like this; giving you the feeling of travelling deep into the earth's core.
Same thing goes for act2; imagine gigantic tomb entrances that have withstood the test of time over thousands of years (LotR films again - remember the Argonath scene?), looming over your character as you leave the sun scorched valley of the kings into the deep dark of Tal Rasha's tomb, which would also be comparatively huge and epic, containing vast atriums and chambers, huge monuments of human achievement built to glorify the dead. I want a feeling of something greater than just trudging through some crummy old tomb.
Being on the Arreat summit somewhat captured this essence of epicness, I think it was executed quite well given the limitations of the game engine. There was a sense of achievement finally reaching the peak of the mountain and looking down onto the plateau.
Immersiveness is also something that could be greatly improved for d3. I think playing act1 and 5 for the first time was the most immersive experience for me in Diablo2 (it was probably the music that did it for me). Half Life 2 was a game that really drew you in. It was the feeling for solitude and that false sense of security you had that really made it an immersive game. The mood and ambience of the environment was something I thought was perfected (particularly in the coastal regions - I absolutely loved the portion of the game in and around that bridge level). Moments like this could really make Diablo 3 a great game. These moments of solitude and peace, hearing nothing but the wind and the birds (a good suspense builder).
As for themes; Diablo 2 pretty much had it all covered. I'd like to see something like Skovos (even though that's not coming in vanilla D3). I love the Greek islands theme - looking out over azure waters. Obviously I'd like to see the high heavens, I think that could really be pulled off in the new engine.
One thing in particular I'd like to see are vast bustling cities; cities so huge you could get lost in them - with winding streets that lead into the slums or the overcrowded market districts; great courtyards in the middle of the city to towering keeps in the mountainside. Something that was never in Diablo 2 (well - it was done to an extent in act2 and 3) were crowds of NPC's walking the streets - simple non-interactive ones that give life to the city/town. It felt pretty strange having 12 odd people living in Lut Gholein, the "thriving port city".
Oh and one more thing; Pine forests. That'd be cool. :yes: