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Diablo III: Reaper of Souls is a good fit if you already enjoy Diablo III and want a new story chapter, the Crusader class, and repeatable activities built around earning better loot. Its biggest drawback is that it strengthens the same action-and-loot loop rather than reinventing it; players who disliked the base game may not be won over.
What Reaper of Souls adds
Blizzard’s March 25, 2014 launch announcement introduced several additions to Diablo III: a fifth campaign act, the Crusader, a level cap of 70, Adventure Mode, randomized bounties, Nephalem Rifts, and the Mystic artisan. Those are the expansion’s announced features, not a guide to present-day balance or pricing.
A new campaign chapter
Act V moves the story through Westmarch and the Pandemonium Fortress, with Malthael as the central threat. It gives the expansion a substantial narrative component rather than making it only a collection of endgame systems. GameSpot reviewer Carolyn Petit praised the chapter’s locations and villain in her 2014 review.
The Crusader
The Crusader is a heavily armored class built around defense, shields, flails, and holy attacks. Blizzard’s class guide describes Wrath as the Crusader’s resource and shows a mix of close-range attacks, defensive abilities, and ranged holy skills. The class requires Reaper of Souls.
#1 Best Overall
- Nintendo Switch Diablo III limited edition bundle
- Includes a Nintendo Switch console and dock featuring Diablo III artwork
- A download code for Diablo III: Eternal collection and themed carrying case
- Diablo III: Eternal collection contains the full classic game, as well as all of its expansion content
- The Nintendo Switch version includes exclusive items from The Legend of Zelda series
Adventure Mode, bounties, and Rifts
Adventure Mode lets players take on randomized bounties across the campaign’s acts. Nephalem Rifts offer randomized dungeons and loot, creating a repeatable path for players who want to keep playing after the story. Petit called Adventure Mode the expansion’s most significant addition, noting that it made existing content more rewarding.
The Mystic’s equipment options
The Mystic adds ways to customize loot. As described in the review, players can change a randomly generated item property and alter an item’s appearance. This gives equipment tuning a role alongside the expansion’s new activities.
The main pros
- More story and a darker setting: Act V brings new locations and a new major antagonist, extending the campaign beyond the original acts.
- A distinct class to build: The Crusader’s shield-focused defense and holy attacks offer a different identity from the other heroes.
- A reason to return after the campaign: Bounties and Rifts provide repeatable activities with randomized rewards.
- More control over equipment: The Mystic’s property and appearance options add ways to adjust gear.
The cons and cautions
It does not replace Diablo III’s core loop
Reaper of Souls adds variety and structure, but its appeal still depends on whether you enjoy Diablo III’s combat and loot-driven progression. Petit’s review made the limitation explicit: “If you’ve played Diablo III before and found that it wasn’t for you, the changes Reaper of Souls makes to the game won’t be far-reaching enough to change your mind.” GameSpot rated the expansion 8/10 in 2014; that is a dated review score, not a measure of current player activity or present-day value.
Endgame repetition is part of the design
Bounties and Rifts are meant to be replayed for rewards. That suits players who like repeating activities to improve their gear, but may feel monotonous to anyone who mainly wants a one-time story experience. This is a judgment about the design of the activities, not a measured finding about all players.
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- Signs of the end times draw powerful heroes from all over Sanctuary to rise up and defeat an evil reborn
- Challenge Death itself as Malthael-Angel of Death-attempts to harness the infernal powers of the Black Soul stone.
- Commanding the powers of blood, bone, and armies of undead, the Necromancer joins the fight
Edition contents depend on platform
Do not assume every listing named “Diablo III” contains the same content. The Xbox Ultimate Evil Edition listing says it includes both Diablo III and Reaper of Souls. Blizzard’s 2018 Eternal Collection announcement says that collection also includes Rise of the Necromancer. Confirm the exact edition and included content for your platform and region before buying, especially if you already own the base game.
Online console play may require a subscription
The cited Xbox listing says online multiplayer requires Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate, sold separately. This is specific to that Xbox listing and can change; check the current store page for the platform and region you use.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Used Book in Good Condition
Rank #4
- The Diablo III: Eternal Collection is an unparalleled action role-playing experience and contains Diablo III, the Reaper of Souls expansion set, and the Necromancer class together in one definitive volume
- Rise as one of humanity's last defenders -Crusader, Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Demon Hunter, Monk, Wizard, or Necromancer-and level up with devastating powers and legendary loot
- Diablo III Signs of the end times draw powerful heroes from all over Sanctuary to rise up and defeat an evil reborn
- Diablo III Reaper of Souls Challenge Death itself as Malthael-Angel of Death-attempts to harness the infernal powers of the Black Soulstone
- Rise of the Necromancer Commanding the powers of blood, bone, and armies of undead, the Necromancer joins the fight*
How to decide if it is worth playing
| Your situation | What Reaper of Souls offers | How to weigh it |
|---|---|---|
| You enjoy Diablo III’s combat and loot progression | Act V, the Crusader, Adventure Mode, bounties, Rifts, and Mystic options | Strong fit if you want more campaign and a repeatable endgame loop. |
| You mainly want a new story | A fifth act set in Westmarch and the Pandemonium Fortress | The campaign addition is a reason to consider it even if you do not plan to spend much time replaying activities. |
| You disliked Diablo III | More options within the same underlying game | Temper expectations: the expansion may not change your view of the base game. |
| You are buying Diablo III for the first time | Some editions bundle the base game and expansion; contents differ by platform | Compare the exact edition’s included content and total checkout cost before choosing. |
| You already own Diablo III | The expansion’s additions, including the new act and Crusader | Check whether the platform edition you own already includes Reaper of Souls before purchasing again. |
What to check before buying
- Look up the current store listing for your platform and region. Confirm whether it includes the base game, Reaper of Souls, and any additional packs you want.
- Check your existing library and edition details so you do not pay again for content you already own.
- If you plan to play online on Xbox, check the listing’s current multiplayer subscription requirement. Requirements and edition details can change.
- Choose based on your appetite for repeated loot runs as well as the campaign: Adventure Mode’s value comes from returning to activities for randomized rewards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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