As a genre, RPGs have a reputation as engaging time sinks. Any RPG fan can likely share some memory of grinding in their favorite game, picking up experience and loot to make their character as strong as possible before a major quest or encounter. Of course, there’s always a limit to one’s progression — one can only get so powerful while still finding some challenge in the game. However, the level cap isn’t always the end. Diablo 3 introduced a sort of prestige system, for instance, known as Paragon levels. Even after hitting level 70, every bit of experience in Diablo 3 matters, getting the player a little closer to the next valuable Paragon level.
Diablo 4 is doing its best to be a strong successor to Diablo 3, and if the initial clues are anything to go off of, it has a shot at it. The late game of Diablo 4 is intentionally vague at the moment, and there’s word that Blizzard is still working on what it’s going to look like. However, for the sake of dedicated fans, it would be wise if Blizzard reintroduced something like the Paragon system in this game. Although some changes would be encouraged or required, it would be a great way to make high-level play more rewarding. As exciting as it is to finally get that coveted piece of top-tier loot from a boss while grinding, it’s even more rewarding if the fighting itself matters too.
The philosophy behind Paragon levels is simple. Every Paragon level earns the player points that they can spend on all kinds of statistics in order to earn their character a permanent bonus to that stat, while the choices range from things as broad as Vitality to stats as specific as Critical Hit Damage. Although it’s simple, it’s a straightforward and valuable way to reward the player for grinding and putting in additional hours into Diablo 3 even when a character is at maximum level. Although there’s caps on certain stats, there’s no cap on Paragon levels, so one can only ever get stronger.
A game like Diablo benefits a lot from a system like this. When players are encouraged to constantly keep playing the game to earn new loot and try new builds with said loot, it’s good to make sure the XP still matters somehow so that the value of combat isn’t reduced. Considering how long it’s likely going to be before Diablo 4 comes out, a late game progression system like this is also crucial for the game’s longevity. Odds are that, after this game comes out, there’s going to be another several years until Diablo 5 comes around. Giving players as many ways to progress and get stronger as possible in the meantime will help Diablo 4 stay strong the way its predecessor has.
However, there’s some work to be done on a late-game system, considering Diablo 4 will be a pretty different experience from its predecessor. For instance, Diablo 4 will have dedicated PvP areas, an addition that should excite players disappointed by PvP in Diablo 3. Dedicated players or veterans might get an unfair advantage over newer players with Paragon levels. Since they could be used to buff all characters on the account, veterans might deceive new players with seemingly new characters and mop the floor with them. PvP would need to only use base character levels, indicate Paragon levels for fairness, or make Paragon work differently altogether.
In fact, a significantly different prestige system might be better overall. Paragon levels may not excite everyone a second time even if they’re efficient. Blizzard could explore some possibilities like gradual access to unique runes or minor bonus abilities rather than flat buffs, but that could be hard to balance. Another more outlandish possibility is that Blizzard could try using experience as a sort of “currency.” Once players hit the maximum level of their class, they could convert experience into some kind of resource spent on things like unlocking bonus loot or rift-like challenges, ensuring a little more profit from grinding.
Blizzard is clearly shaking up the formula a little with Diablo 4, as things like the improved PvP and the open-world elements indicate that Diablo 4 will be a step in a new direction. That’s certainly exciting for the future of the series, but hopefully Blizzard remembers to try something new with the endgame. At the very least, it should bring back a successful system to make late-game experience mean something.
Diablo 4 is in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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