Necromancer players inDiablo 4’s ongoing open beta aren’t happy with the design of the class' summoned skeletons, saying it doesn’t fit the new game’s aesthetic.Diablo 3was harshly criticized for its stylistic redirection for theDiablofranchise, and Blizzard committed to returning to the aesthetic ofDiabloandDiablo 2forDiablo 4. WhileDiablofans have lauded Blizzard for its changes based on what’s been shown up to this point, some may not work as well as others.
TheNecromancer is one of theDiablofranchise’s most popular classes, first introduced inDiablo 2. Best known for its ability to raise a small army of skeleton warriors and mages, Necromancers are also able to cast bone, blood, poison, and curse magic. The skeletons, and to a lesser extent golems, are the Necromancer’s bread and butter, though.Diablo 2’s skeletons could spawn with a variety of weapons, armor, or even spell-types.Diablo 3’s, however, had plainer appearances with silver armor and a ghostly blue glow.
RELATED:Diablo 4 Open Beta Queue Times Appear Much Shorter Than Previous Beta
For all appearances,Diablo 4’s Necromancerappears to have pulled their skeletons directly fromDiablo 3orDiablo Immortal. While skeleton warriors' armor isn’t so glossy, they’re still very simple white skeletons with a bright blue glow from their chest.Diablo 4open beta players have noticed this, and aren’t happy. A popular post on theDiablo 4subreddit states that the Necromancer’s skeleton summons “don’t fit the aesthetic of the game.”
More specifically, the post says that the skeletons look like they’re taken “straight out ofDiablo 3,” and that they’re killing the player’s immersion. They say it’s especially disappointing when they see a “half dozen other Necros running around town with their army of blue glowing minions lighting up the screen.” Following up their criticism, theDiablo 4betaplayer asks Blizzard to reconsider the skeletons' design, perhaps shifting to minions that better fitDiablo 4’s darker and grittier aesthetic.
The Reddit poster, as well as many of the Reddit thread’s comments, do acknowledge why Blizzard likely chose the skeleton designs inDiablo 4. The blue glow and bright white bone help the skeletons stand out from enemies. But manyDiablo 4players say they’d rather the skeletons not stand out, if it meant more aesthetically-fitting skeleton designs.
It’s potentially much too late for Blizzard to make such a large change toDiablo 4. The full game launches in just over two months, after all. But the criticism ofDiablo 4’s skeletons do cut to a potentially larger problem with the game. As dramatic as somechanges are fromDiablo 3toDiablo 4, much has also been retained.Diablo 4’s combat especially carries over a lot of animation and art fromDiablo 3.However,early Necromancer concept art for Diablo 4 did show dramatically different skeleton designs, with blood-drenched mages. Perhaps there are other designs Blizzard could use.
Diablo 4releases June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
