I first played Diablo 3 when it was released on PS3 and Xbox 360, alongside the PC version. I found the version alright, playable but nothing jumped out at me especially with the auction house debacle, and other issues gamers had reported on. I barely played the solo mode for an hour or two before I grew bored of it, so I was genuinely surprised I kept up to date with the information released about the Ultimate Evil Edition, It wasn't that I didn't like the original versions, I just felt they were incomplete.
So when the Ultimate Evil Edition was proposed for release on the next-gen consoles, I read up on the release news and blogs and found out what this complete edition of the game actually included.
I was happy that the auction house issue was ironed out for PC gamers, prior the release of the Ultimate Evil Edition. So I wasn't faced with worrying about the issue in the console release, and then I read up on the Reaper of Souls add-on being included in the package which would include more hours of gameplay, loot to find and collect as well as the level cap being raised to 70.
The Ultimate Evil Edition was shaping up prior to release to feeling like a GOTY edition, with everything included but we were also getting enhanced graphics and stability of the game.
So when the game was released, I popped into my local store and bought Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition for the PS4 for £54.99. Quite a price, but knowing what was included I sort of knew I was going to thoroughly enjoy the compilation, and after putting the game on I was immersed into the action-RPG. From the get go I felt like I was playing Borderlands, and the time whizzed past as I played on for hours, collecting more and more loot, increasing my experience and unlocking skills and powers.
Eventually I was 7 hours into the game, with a level 16 Warrior class and already half-way through the First Act of the game.
Graphically the game is amazing, enhanced from the original port and the frame-rate is smooth even with dozens of enemies filling the screen at any one time.
As I built up my skills, created routine of attacks to use in order I was beating back powerful enemies, and bosses to collect their rare loot.
What is one of the major draws of the Ultimate Evil Edition on the PS4, are the smooth controls of the new PS4 controller. You can use the touch-pad to enter your inventory, upgrade and organize your skills and powers for your class. There are enough buttons on the PS4 controller, to map your attacks and skills to so you don't have to swap any around, in order to use them. This as said, has been one of the major improvements making the new port worthy of buying.
The Good:
- A solid compilation, that feels complete with the Reaper of Souls add-on, patches and updates included on the disc and improvements on graphics and gameplay.
- Controls are smooth thanks to the PS4 controller, and adept use of the touch-pad for use of inventory and skill trees.
- Offers hours of gaming, with additional missions and dungeons to explore and conquer.
The Bad:
- My only issues have been some slight graphical distortions, that have only come up after playing for an hour or longer, and it is only slight and quickly renders itself.
Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition is the complete compilation of the entire game, including all updates, patches and the Reaper of Souls add-on. If that's not the best reason to buy this edition for either the PS4 or Xbox One, the fact that the controls have been perfectly mapped to the controllers, especially the PS4's touch-pad is the icing on the cake, as you can jump right into the game and enjoy yourself.
Worth buying for it's full price, as you'll get lost in time you commit to the game.