Every Diablo Game And Expansion, Ranked

The Diablo series has cemented itself as one of Blizzard’s most legendary franchises, delivering some of the best action RPG experiences in gaming history. With its addictive hack-and-slash gameplay, dark storytelling, and deep loot systems, Diablo has influenced countless RPGs over the decades. From the original 1996 classic to the latest releases, the franchise has evolved through expansions, remasters, and major updates, each bringing something unique to the table. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer looking to dive into the world of Sanctuary, ranking every Diablo game and expansion is no easy task. In this article, we’ll break down each entry, analyzing what made them great—or not so great—so let’s get started.

#10: Diablo

The original Diablo, released in 1997, laid the foundation for the entire action RPG genre, introducing players to the dark and eerie world of Sanctuary. At the time, its gothic atmosphere, randomized loot system, and online multiplayer were revolutionary. However, compared to modern entries, it feels incredibly dated. The slow movement, basic loot mechanics, and pixelated visuals make it a tough game to revisit today without nostalgia or mods to enhance the experience. While Diablo is undeniably a classic, newer installments have refined and expanded upon its core gameplay, making them the better choice for most players. If you’re curious about the series’ origins, it’s worth a look, but for the best experience, Diablo II: Resurrected is a more polished alternative.

#9: Diablo Immortal

Diablo Immortal was Blizzard’s attempt to bring the legendary action RPG experience to mobile devices, and while it delivered solid gameplay, it quickly became infamous for its aggressive microtransactions. Despite receiving decent reviews upon its 2022 release, many longtime fans were disappointed by its heavy reliance on in-game purchases, making progression feel frustratingly pay-to-win. The backlash began as early as its 2018 BlizzCon announcement, where fans were expecting a new Diablo entry for PC, only to be met with a mobile-exclusive reveal—leading to an infamous moment of booing. While Diablo Immortal can be enjoyable, especially with a Backbone controller, the mobile stigma and monetization model have kept many players at a distance. Most would rather sink their time into Diablo IV, which offers a full-fledged Diablo experience without the mobile limitations.

#8: Diablo 3

Diablo 3 had one of the rockiest launches in Blizzard’s history, with its always-online requirement leading to widespread server crashes that frustrated players worldwide. However, despite its shaky start, the game managed to bounce back and establish itself as one of the most popular and replayable action RPGs on the market. While some longtime fans still prefer Diablo 2 for its darker tone and deeper mechanics, Diablo 3 introduced a more streamlined experience, faster-paced combat, and a highly polished co-op system that kept players coming back. Over the years, it has remained a staple in the genre, proving that even a troubled launch can be overcome with solid gameplay and ongoing support.

#7: Hellfire

Hellfire is a unique entry in the Diablo series, as it wasn’t actually developed by Blizzard but by Synergistic Software. Initially hesitant about letting another studio expand on their game, Blizzard eventually approved the project, and Hellfire delivered a host of valuable improvements. It introduced new dungeons, additional characters, fresh items, and even some hidden Easter eggs for dedicated players to uncover. One of its most significant additions was a jog button, addressing a major issue in the original Diablo by allowing for faster movement. While not an official Blizzard expansion, Hellfire served as a bridge between Diablo and its highly anticipated sequel, adding much-needed enhancements that helped refine the dungeon-crawling experience.

#6: Diablo 3: Reaper Of Souls

Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls brought a much-needed darker atmosphere to the game, addressing criticisms that the base game lacked the ominous tone of its predecessors. This expansion not only introduced new content but also significantly improved the overall gameplay experience. The addition of Malthael, the Angel of Death, as the primary antagonist elevated the story’s stakes, creating a more intense and foreboding atmosphere. Reaper of Souls also revitalized Diablo 3’s replayability, keeping players engaged with new challenges and content. Unlike many modern DLCs, this expansion felt truly substantial, enhancing nearly every aspect of the game and cementing its place as an essential part of the Diablo experience.

#5: Diablo 2

Diablo 2 took everything that made the original great and amplified it to a whole new level, creating one of the most influential action RPGs of all time. Its addictive gameplay loop of slaying enemies, collecting loot, and upgrading gear set a gold standard for the genre, shaping countless games that followed. Many fans still regard Diablo 2 as the pinnacle of the series, believing that even Diablo 3—despite its improvements—never quite captured the same magic. Its deep character customization, dark atmosphere, and engaging multiplayer made it a timeless classic. The only drawback? It was built for late ’90s hardware, but even decades later, its legacy remains unmatched.

#4: Diablo 2: Lord Of Destruction

Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction took an already legendary game and made it even better, introducing major quality-of-life upgrades, a gripping fifth act, and two new playable classes—Assassin and Druid. This expansion refined the core gameplay, making hirelings more useful and adding new mechanics that further deepened the experience. For those looking to relive the Diablo 2 era, this expansion is an essential addition, enhancing every aspect of the base game while setting the stage for Diablo 3. Expansions rarely manage to elevate a classic without overshadowing it, but Lord of Destruction achieved just that, cementing itself as one of the best expansions in gaming history.

#3: Diablo 2: Resurrected

The original Diablo 2 was a masterpiece, but its low-resolution graphics and outdated mechanics made it challenging for modern gamers to enjoy. Diablo 2: Resurrected successfully revitalized the classic by upgrading visuals, refining gameplay, and introducing much-needed quality-of-life improvements—all while staying true to the original experience. Unlike some remasters that fail to capture the essence of their source material, Blizzard nailed it with this one. Available on both PC and consoles, this version eliminates the technical hurdles of running the classic while delivering the same addictive hack-and-slash action that made Diablo 2 legendary. If you’re looking to experience Diablo 2 at its best, Resurrected is the way to go.

#2: Diablo 4

Diablo 4 brought the series back to its darker roots, delivering a haunting open world filled with demonic horrors, intense combat, and deep character customization. Unlike its predecessor, the game embraced a more mature and gothic atmosphere, making every dungeon crawl feel ominous and immersive. The introduction of a shared open world and live-service elements kept the game feeling fresh with new content and challenges. While some players debated aspects like monetization and endgame progression, Diablo 4 successfully redefined the franchise for modern RPG fans, proving that Blizzard could still craft a thrilling action RPG experience with high replayability.

#1: Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred takes everything that made Diablo 4 a success and expands upon it with a darker, more intense storyline centered around the Prime Evil, Mephisto. This expansion introduces a brand-new region filled with demonic threats, fresh challenges, and deeper lore that enhances the overall experience. With additional character classes, improved endgame content, and expanded multiplayer features, Vessel of Hatred refines the already gripping gameplay of Diablo 4. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer, this expansion elevates the Diablo experience, making it the best installment in the franchise to date.

Conclusion

The Diablo series has left an undeniable mark on the gaming world, delivering some of the best action RPG experiences ever created. From the dark and groundbreaking original game to the refined mechanics of Diablo 2 and its expansions, all the way to the modern-day success of Diablo 4 and Vessel of Hatred, the franchise has continuously evolved while maintaining its addictive gameplay loop. Each entry has its own strengths and weaknesses, but one thing remains consistent—Diablo is a series that keeps players coming back for more. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the world of Sanctuary, there’s no shortage of epic adventures to embark on in this legendary franchise.