On June 29, 2000, Diablo 2 was released, a classic among action role-playing games. To this day, the game design and game mechanics of the Hack & Slay title are unmatched in the genre. The cinematics and cutscenes also set new standards back then.
Shortly before the release of Diablo 2: Resurrected, the remaster of the classic, Activision Blizzard is releasing the cutscenes of Acts 1 and 2. Compared to the 20-year-old originals, the new cinematics are of course a huge leap forward visually. However, the question remains: How good will the revised scenes look in 2021?
Cinematics like 20 years ago
Blizzard has remade the original almost 1: 1. As a result, the new cutscenes retain the authenticity of the original versions: the camera work and sound are identical to the original. Small details, like chains hanging from the ceiling in Marius’ cell, have been added to better reflect the mood of the scene.
Where we are at Marius: The visual changes to the narrator of the cutscenes are most noticeable. In one of the first scenes, Marius is lying on the floor of his cell. In the original we see him with a three-day beard and a very generic robe. The light in the cell looks very bright and sometimes – 20 years later – it does not seem coherent and overdriven.
Marius in direct comparison within the cutscenes
In the first scenes, the revised particle effects are already noticeable, from which the quality of the assets as a whole also benefits. In the next comparison picture, the changes in the lighting effects can be clearly seen:
The lighting effects in the old cutscenes were impressive, but nothing compared to the new edition.
The fire can also be seen in the cutscenes: The flames are much more detailed, appear stronger and highly dangerous – just as flames should be.
The fire in the cutscenes is much stronger and more impressive in the remaster.
What is special about the cutscenes?
Blizzard didn’t just upscale the cutscenes, but re-rendered the total of 27 minutes frame by frame. The cut, the sound effects and the original speech output should be retained. However, the sound has been remixed to stay up-to-date.
You can marvel at how good the new cutscenes look in the following trailers, which show the first and second act:
7:15
Diablo 2: Resurrected: Cinematic Trailer for the first act shows the impressive graphics
In the second act we also see other light and particle effects, which more than clearly emphasize the differences to the original:
3:34
Diablo 2: Resurrected: Cinematic Trailer for Act Two
In the beta for pre-orderers and the upcoming Open Beta you can also see the cutscenes directly in the game. You can read all information about the beta, the playable classes and what else you need to know in our large summary:
more on the subject
Diablo 2 Resurrected: Beta details known – release, registration, scope
It becomes even clearer when comparing the two trailers directly. Gamespot compares the two original cutscenes with the new ones:
Link to YouTube content
How do you like the new cinematics? Are you looking forward to the remaster? Please write us in the comments!
