Blizzard Entertainment's 1997 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1997 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Publisher
- Sierra On-Line
- MobyScore
- ★ 8.16
- Players today
- Mixed on Steam (68% of 27004)
The history
Diablo emerged from Blizzard Entertainment Inc. as a dark, isometric descent into the depths of Sanctuary. Set in a world where Heaven and Hell used humanity as pawns, the story follows the banishment of the Prime Evils to the mortal realm, where they were sealed in gemstone prisons. The game centers on the town of Tristram, where the soul of the Lord of Terror, Diablo, lay buried beneath a chapel, corrupting the land and driving the king of Khanduras to madness and slaughter.
The title mattered not only for its atmospheric storytelling but for its integration with the launch of Battle.net in January 1997. This connectivity allowed players to venture into the shifting dungeons together, establishing a blueprint for the action RPG genre that combined dark fantasy with an addictive, loot-driven loop.
How it plays
Players choose from three distinct classes: the Warrior, who possesses the highest strength and can repair gear in the dungeon; the Rogue, featuring the highest dexterity and the ability to disarm chest traps; and the Sorcerer, who boasts the highest magic attribute and can recharge spellcasting staves using mana. The core loop involves delving into randomly generated dungeons to slay monsters, find magic tomes to learn spells, and collect randomized gear, including rare Unique weapons dropped by strong enemies.
Progression is managed through attribute points awarded upon leveling up, which are required to meet the minimum stats for powerful equipment. While players can take on quests for the remaining townsfolk of Tristram, the experience can be shared with up to three other players via LAN or Battle.net, though the online version modifies dungeon layouts by placing quest monsters in wandering positions rather than unique zones.
How it was received
Diablo was a critical and commercial powerhouse, earning a 94/100 on Metacritic and a 89% from GR on PC. It was an undisputed commercial blockbuster, debuting at #1 on PC Data's monthly sales chart for January 1997 and eventually selling over 2.5 million units by mid-2001. Critics praised its addictive gameplay, moody score, and the variety of its items and quests.
While period critics lauded its innovation and atmosphere, modern sentiment on Steam is more divided, reflecting a Mixed rating with approximately 68% positive reviews.
In the magazines
The period press.
The game received high marks across the board: NGen gave the PC version 5/5, while Computer Games World awarded it 4.5/5. Other strong scores included 4/5 from AllGame and CGSP, 4.5/5 from MW, and 90% from PCGUS.
What players say today
Modern players express a mix of nostalgia and frustration, with some praising it as a great game while others complain about always-online requirements and the complexities of modern DLC structures in the series.
“Logged in after some time of not playing just to find myself in the middle of a helltide with no skills in my hotbar, after 5 minutes of constant dying and trying to figure out the controls I realized…”
“Don't buy it now wait for a bundle after 4 years that will include all of the 324219 DLCs. They might release a new DLC that you must buy in order to unlock walking. Edit: I played it on game pass. I…”
“Great game, but still hate always online requirements!”
Screenshots
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
Blizzard Entertainment continued to build on the foundation of the series, eventually evolving the formula into later entries like Diablo IV. The original game remains worth seeking out today for its foundational role in the action RPG genre and its oppressive, atmospheric dungeon crawling.
What it's worth
A second-hand market that moves over time — a loose disc is pocket-money, while sealed or complete-with-manual copies drive the top end. For today's exact listings, check the live search.
See current copies on eBay →Copies in the wild
Real listing photos — the range of condition you'll meet.
Photographed examples from past listings — illustrative of condition, not a live inventory.
How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: Steam or GOG (DRM-free) on modern Windows. Either way the core game is intact.
Verdict
Diablo holds up as a masterclass in atmosphere and addictive progression. Its tight gameplay loop and the tension of its shifting dungeons created a standard for the genre that persists decades later.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.