The game Diablo is synonymous with highly engaging player experiences, so when a curious redditor, rmansd619, asked the community, ‘What are the reasons runes and runewords would be a bad thing for Diablo 4?’ it set off an interesting discussion.
Sifting Through the Conversations
- A deep concern with the runeword system being reduced to a de facto currency.
- There’s a considerable argument for its implementation merely being a choice by the developers, and not a standing testament to its positive or negative impact.
- Some fear that runewords and runes may override the current itemization system, crushing the game’s unique identity.
- The problem isn’t necessarily the introduction of runes and runewords, but the poor itemization in Diablo 4.
Runewords as a Currency
Ultrakorne delves into the intricacies of the runeword system, likening runes to fragments of unique items that become tradable, eventually emerging as a pseudo-currency in the game. However, there’s the looming prospect that valueless runes would emerge if runewords, in themselves, hold no value.
An Issue of Choice
EchoLocation8 points out that there are no inherently right or wrong choices in game design, and the absence of runes and runewords doesn’t necessarily spell disaster for the game. It’s all about the choices the developers deem best for the gameplay experience, and any alterations may lead to a fundamentally different gaming experience.
Game Identity at Stake?
YakaAvatar fears the undermining of the current itemization systems, echoing the experience with Diablo 2. If runewords are lifted from Diablo 2 and imprinted onto Diablo 4 as is, it could upset the careful equilibrium that currently exists.
Bad Itemization: A Bigger Culprit?
Ctown1264 asserts that adding runes and runewords to the game isn’t the main issue, but rather the flawed itemization in Diablo 4. The player excitement may turn into disappointment if a ‘Jah Rune’ were to just add a mundane increase in damage rather than introducing an intriguing layer to gameplay.
As the debate rages on, with multiple perspectives fundamentally questioning and justifying the need for runes and runewords in Diablo 4, it leaves us questioning – where does the game go from here?
