Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Preview

Blizzard Entertainment’s auction-killing and loot-enhancing Diablo III: Reaper of Souls expansion pack is the subject of a new hands-on preview over at Gamereactor. A couple of paragraphs to start you off:

My build consists of a standard attack that adds a bonus to your chance of blocking each time you hit someone. It’s been enhanced with a rune that makes your shield explode in an Area of Effect attack each time you block. On the right mouse button I have an attack that disposes of most low level enemies with one hit. Another ability sends a line of four ghostly bowmen towards the enemy – cutting down and shooting down anything in their path. The Crusader is given extra mobility by summoning a horse (made of divine light, or something to that effect) capable of riding through enemies, and an ability called Sword of Heavens – described by Blizzard as something of an artillery strike where you are the projectile. A perfect mix of usefulness, massive damage and cooldown – and it’s always very satisfying to trigger it.

The Crusader is simply a wonderful class. At this point it appears almost overpowered, but I’m not sure if that’s just how I perceive it.

The third addition is Adventure Mode. Blizzard’s new attempt to add variation and an improved end game. In Adventure Mode there is no story, no quests or cutscenes. All the waypoints are unlocked, so you can travel back and forth between all five acts and their dungeons. Along the way you get so called Bounties – short mini objectives tied to a single waypoint. Typically they task you with killing 50 monsters and a specific elite, or complete a certain event. For your efforts you’re rewarded with gold and Blood Shards – a new currency you can use to gamble on new equipment.