To me, the most addicting thing about diablo gameplay, is the community interaction with others. Your gear is worthless if others cant envy it, am i right? Thats what makes online games great, and thats why the diablo franchise is amazing.
I also find this an addictive aspect of the Diablo series. But, the most addicting thing for me would have to be the power it makes you feel like you have as you mindlessly slash through endless waves of demons. Being able to kill so many things in such a short period of time always made me come back.
I have also always liked the idea of being able to choose through VAST ammounts of gear. Not just a linear idea of "ok the sword i want is in this chest"! It's all random, it never stops...and killing things like a BOSS!
During the first playthrough of Beta, the random lore and books you find are so engaging that I literally couldn't put it down. There's so much story and none of it interrupts the flow of progression. Everything feels "in place".
Beyond that? Getting rich.
Diablo 2 was like a stock market for gamers, and everyone likes money I've spent nearly 10 years playing Diablo and almost all of it was spent trading with players. Public Games (ala D2) going the way of the dinosaur certainly depresses me, but there will always be JSP and other forums to communicate and barter on.
To be honest, i like d2jsp. But I personaly think it killed the in game economy. People who played and traded in game, suffered greatly. Watching hundreds of others with mass duped runes, and for pennies on the dollar elite gear getting tossed around like candy, demolished the community and the experience of getting some great items. Blizzard is doing right, by making everything available in game, and one economy with the AH.
probably the random loot that can drop. I dont like in mmos how you can only kill 1-3 mobs at a time while in diablo 1 attack could wipe a hoard of demons, you feel much more powerful in diablo. also the epeen waving just like most online games. the loot means something when you can compare it to others, now with the arena its even better.
The most addictive aspect is the fact that your character can always be more powerful. You are on an endless quest to find the best gear, which one day will help you defeat the ubers. You can never be satisfied with where you are at. Your full Tal Rasha set can still be upgraded. Your runewords aren't the best runewords. The idea of character progression is what keeps most RPG gamers hooked, and Diablo is famous for making it extremely difficult to progress to the point where you cannot progress any further. In no other game are items so rare.
I enjoy the endless quest to better your avatar. There is always something about your character that could be better, and barring that, there are several other amazing classes to enjoy. Topping it off are the amazing storyline and depth that simply draw you in and keep you playing in the world of Sanctuary.
I think the main thing for me about diablo is the mass destruction. They throw huge groups of monsters at you and you can just mow them down with your aoe. That combined with the item explosions that the packs of monsters give upon death feels awesome.
As others have said, the randomized loot is a big part of Diablo.
Aside from that, I love the fact that Blizzard has included physics alongside a graphical overhaul.
You can argue whether or not the art style is a good or bad thing, but the added physics is a
definite plus.
Sure, it's all eye-candy and all that but it's fun to see them beasts/creatures fly around,
blow up into tiny itty bitty bits and whatnot.
I was going to say loot and leveling but since others have covered those, I am going to go with PvP. It's one thing to be able to mow down some brainless mobs but the biggest challenge to me was pitting your skills and build to test against other players.This is where I had some of the most fun during the first two Diablo games. It sounds like they are still figuring out how they want PvP to work exactly for D3 but I am certainly hoping they add some new, cool features for it.
To me, the most addicting thing about diablo gameplay, is the community interaction with others. Your gear is worthless if others cant envy it, am i right? Thats what makes online games great, and thats why the diablo franchise is amazing.
I cant say for Diablo 3 but for Diablo 2 the item chase was a big part of the addiction, pre expansion it was addicting trying to hit the top 10 at the ladder.
Hardcore is probably the biggest addiction though, always trying to better your self and getting further into the game and passing the last spot you died, and because death is permanent the item chase is even bigger.
For me the most addictive reason to play Diablo 3 as well as any game is being together with your friends. Despite Diablo 2's non-existent end game I was able to have fun even after hundreds of Baal runs. Time flies when you're hanging with your best friends.
Beyond that? Getting rich.
Diablo 2 was like a stock market for gamers, and everyone likes money I've spent nearly 10 years playing Diablo and almost all of it was spent trading with players. Public Games (ala D2) going the way of the dinosaur certainly depresses me, but there will always be JSP and other forums to communicate and barter on.
Aside from that, I love the fact that Blizzard has included physics alongside a graphical overhaul.
You can argue whether or not the art style is a good or bad thing, but the added physics is a
definite plus.
Sure, it's all eye-candy and all that but it's fun to see them beasts/creatures fly around,
blow up into tiny itty bitty bits and whatnot.
Hardcore is probably the biggest addiction though, always trying to better your self and getting further into the game and passing the last spot you died, and because death is permanent the item chase is even bigger.
I will miss the ladder for hardcore though.