It's been over a decade since Diablo II was released, and it is testament to that game's popularity that there is so much excitement about the Diablo III closed beta and upcoming release in 2012.

Diablo III beta impressions

I played the beta recently, and I think Blizzard has made something that will please fans and newcomers alike. Diablo fans will be right at home with the controls right from the start because there are no big changes. The graphic style is what you would expect from Blizzard, with well defined cartoon-like graphics that are full of detail. It's very atmospheric, and the environment looks great, with some nice touches like crows flying up out trees as you pass.

The beta isn't massively long, but it gives you a taste of how the game has been improved. The general feeling I got was one of smoothness - Diablo III is really slick, and everything just seems to work as it should. The sound is excellent, and visually it manages to be dark enough while keeping everything clear.

Once you've created your Hero, from the usual character classes, you are dropped right into New Tristram, a town that has just suffered a meteor strike that has resulted in the dead rising and attacking. This sets you up on a mission to find Deckhard Cain, who is trapped in the Cathedral.

How to get a Diablo III beta key

If you want to apply for Diablo III beta testing, while nothing is guaranteed, you can sign up for a free Battle.net account, and then follow the instructions here on the official Diablo III site.