You absolutely must play this game, you just don't necessarily have to purchase it.

User Rating: 6.5 | Diablo III X360
IMMERSION: Diablo III hits the high points of the dungeon crawler genre. Players are given enough agency over their characters that they feel invested in the character's survival. The only minor stumbling block is story, the plot and the character's quest for whatever it is they seek quickly becomes unimportant relative to collecting items and surviving combat. Still it is a graphically impressive experience, at least the background. Lesser draw distance may have allowed more detail to be realised in player character models in game, which would have helped players see a difference when equipping new items. Out of a possible fifteen points, Diablo III earns a 9/15.

DIFFICULTY: Control scheme is adequate to the task and with helpful on screen reminders of button functions easily remembered. Difficulty is adjustable with an initial three settings, and an optional hardcore mode unlocked later, with an absolute total of 8. The game does not however clarify what stats those settings modify. Altogether though the sheer number of options is impressive. Out of 10/15

LASTING APPEAL: Diablo III uses procedurally generated maps, which alter themselves with every attempt. Successive playthroughs will see characters facing entirely different enemies from others in addition to different maps, or possibly the same map but significantly harder enemies dropping different loot. This works for a while, providing a reason to create multiple characters or play repeatedly. Still, there comes a point when this becomes stale and DLC must reinvigorate the game. Thusfar no plans for additional content have been announced. Still, so long as players confine themselves to one or two characters initially, the game has some staying power. All told the game is above average, but the requirement for specific play styles and the lack of immersion in the story keeps it from full marks. 10/15

OVERALL: 9.7/15 As the score attests, this is an above average game. For a first outing on the Xbox 360, I believe, Blizzard Entertainment has definitely impressed.

PERSONAL NOTE: (subjective) I do not typically play dungeon crawlers, and have never played a Diablo game before now, and I really liked this game. It really is a very good game, one of the best I've played recently. This game was rented, not purchased. It was also played solo, on all initial difficulty settings, and with every possible class, simulating multiple playthroughs. Diablo 3 is pick up and play fun, and that works in the game's favour,compared to other games it gives players regular doses of fun and epicosity.