It was inevitable that Diablo, the king of dungeon crawlers, would be compared to genre newcomer Minecraft Dungeons. Both games involve a journey through mob infested locations, dispatching enemies and looting them for gear. While Minecraft itself is a sandbox game, it’s still a huge franchise, one which is as well known as Diablo. However, while there are many similarities between the two titles, such as varying difficulty levels, there are also a huge number of differences.
So how do they really match up against each other? Is Diablo still the reigning franchise champion of the dungeon crawler or is Minecraft Dungeons here to steal its crown? The answer isn’t as simple as you may think. To find out more check out our list of reasons why Minecraft Dungeons is better than Diablo, and the reasons why it’s worse.
10 Worse: No Class Distinction
In Diablo, classes are important and can define your role. You can be a Warrior; a melee fighter with strength, and the ability to repair gear. Players more lightfooted can choose to be a Rogue, using range, stealth, and trap disarming to add utility to a team. Finally, those with a love of magic can be Sorcerers.
As the franchise has progressed other classes have also been added, providing even more utility. In Minecraft Dungeons, however, there is no class system at all. Players simply choose from one of several avatars with no distinction, aside from their appearance.
9 Better: Roles Defined By Gear
For some, the lack of a class system may be jarring but it doesn’t mean there isn’t flexibility. If anything there is more, as roles are defined by gear, and with the ability to carry and swap gear at any point in the game, you can change your role to suit the fight.
Your inventory in Minecraft Dungeons is large enough to hold several armor sets and since the amount of gear you need is reduced overall to just six items, swapping entire sets out has never been easier or quicker.
8 Worse: No Spells
Spells play a huge part in Diablo, with a wide range being available. While some are common to all, others are class-specific. Different options bring utility to different classes and offer new and unique ways to fight.
Timing spells require skill but the results are well worth it as, especially if you choose a magic class, the results are incredible.
7 Better: Simple Artifact System
Minecraft Dungeons ditches all the complexity of spells in favor of an artifact system. Three artifacts can be combined to set off a series of powerful effects. While you don’t need to balance spells balancing your cooldowns will still require skill.
Artifacts can be equally powerful but are also much easier to manage, being far more simple than a spellbook full of instructions. This makes the game more understandable and enjoyable for those who are confused by the complexity of magic systems or simply have no interest in using them.
6 Worse: Limited Armor
In the majority of games, including Minecraft, armor is made up of a number of items. Diablo originally had just body armor, helms, and shields but this quickly expanded and belts, circlets, boots, and gloves were added in Diablo II. Diablo III added 3 more slots, alongside class-specific items. This offers a huge amount of flexibility and chances to increase player stats.
However, in Minecraft Dungeons armor is one specific item. There isn’t even a helm, pants, chestplate, and boots distinction like we see in Minecraft. Armor is very limited and incredibly basic.
5 Better: Quicker To Gear Up
At first, basic seems, well basic, but it actually removes a huge headache. No longer do you need to run around with the wrong stats on your armor looking like a clown because nothing matches. In Minecraft Dungeons when you upgrade your armor it upgrades everything and looks great.
Armor sets will always match and are enhanced by bonuses and enchanting, making them more flexible than they first appear. They can also be easily swapped out, bringing flexibility to the game in a different way.
4 Worse: No Huge Map To Explore
One of the great things in Diablo III especially is the beautiful and expansive world. The map is huge and different areas are accessible by exploring the lands around your base. There are even some mini-challenges to overcome on the way.
The use of a huge map makes the world flow well and feel more like one huge adventure, rather than several tiny ones.
3 Better: Easier To Navigate Areas
While we do miss having a huge world we don’t miss getting lost or ambushed trying to find the right location. Minecraft Dungeons removes the guesswork by having a map divided into sections with each one clearly labeled.
It may not be as exciting but it is definitely easier and even secret areas will open up and appear on the crisp and clear map with all the options and guidance you need to check your team can cope right there in front of you.
2 Worse: Fewer Options
Minecraft Dungeons is limited in comparison to many other dungeon crawlers but especially when matched up against Diablo. There are fewer weapons, fewer areas to explore, no classes to choose, or spells to learn and armor is a single item.
If you want an in-depth experience then you won’t get it here. Everything has been streamlined and simplified meaning options are limited on all levels, from characters through weapons, gear, and enchantments.
1 Better: More Accessible
The advantage of limitations is that Minecraft Dungeons is incredibly accessible. It’s difficult to truly master but easy to learn and incredibly fun to play. The sandbox game has a family audience and this game is marketed to them all.
It combines just the right amount of dungeon crawler mechanics with the familiar Minecraft world to make a game that may not be in-depth but is certainly still enjoyable.
NEXT: 10 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Minecraft Dungeons
