Looking for your Diablo III early fix? Look no further! Still, this game, like any, has its fair share of flaws.
There are, of course, a few key differences between the game we've all been watching for some time. While there are a general lack of carried potions, replaced by health and energy dropped by enemies or various containers, and excellent match making services for when you're looking for either a quick chapter, or a longer session for better rewards (If the group isn't comprised of noobs or trolls.) - the similarities stop there.
The leveling process and building of skills is quite a bit different. Like any standard RPG, stats will affect how your character reacts in situations; ie., a stealth/DPS type character will rely on dexterity, where tanks will require more strength, this game does not allow you to invest points into those stats or skills.
Rather than a permanent set of stats and skills, you equip armor and weapons to affect your characters general power. This can often be frustrating as it is handy. If you're not ready to handle a lot of farming for unique/rare items, stop right here, because it's about to get worse.
On top of all that, the learning curve for those just starting out in action-rpgs like this one can really stump new players, create friction between them and other, more veteran players, thus creating that oh-so-familiar rift of the elites against the newbies.
Lastly, the grinding and farming, for someone who's driven to go farther, faster, can get somewhat repetitive if not downright boring. If you wish to be stronger than your comrades, be prepared to spend a -lot- of time just gathering gear and a few good groupies.
Now, if you do enjoy hack and slash, and you've been faithful enough to the genre to stick around to this point, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that - though not all at once - you can control up to 3 heroes. This can be a great boon, as, somewhat early in the game, you're able to gather "group abilities", a set of skills that are usable by all 3 of the heroes, therefore allowing a tank more healing ability, a ranged dps even further range, or a melee dps more destructive power.
The long and short of it:
Pro -
Excellent match making
Innovative in use of "one man group"
Ability to adjust stats without making anything permanent
Con -
Bad learning curve in the beginning
Grinding is permanent
Ability to adjust stats without making anything permanent (Can be slightly frustrating.)
All in all, I have to give this game a 7.5, as the effort was there, but the preformance was somewhat lacking due to the frustration.