Blizzard has announced the start date for the technical alpha of Diablo 2: Resurrected on PC, which will run all weekend long starting April 9. Diablo 2: Resurrected was announced at BlizzCon 2021 after months of leaks and speculation regarding an ambitious remaster of the 2000 game that defined the hack-and-slash RPG.
Diablo 2: Resurrected combines Diablo 2 with its Lord of Destruction expansion into one package. The game has fully remastered visuals, but it runs over the original game, which means that it's possible to switch to the old visuals at any time. The game is coming to PC and consoles in 2021, and even the idea of multi-platform crossplay being added post-launch was floated by Blizzard recently. Sadly, though, it seems crossplay won't come to Diablo 2: Resurrected, but it will feature cross-progression at launch. The user interface has also been redesigned, and the game will have numerous quality of life improvements, including an expanded stash.
Diablo 2: Resurrected still lacks a release date, but players have been able to sign up for a technical alpha for the PC version for a while now. Blizzard has announced that the first technical alpha for the PC version of Diablo 2: Resurrected will begin on April 9 and will conclude on April 12. This is for single-player content only, with a multiplayer alpha planned for a later date. A limited number of players will be selected for the technical alpha and they will be contacted by email in the run-up to the event, with further information on how to participate.
The technical alpha will give players access to the first two Acts of Diablo 2: Resurrected. This means that story progression will conclude with the battle against Duriel in Tal Rasha's Chamber. Players will have access to three classes: Amazon, Barbarian, and Sorceress. The technical alpha won't have a level cap, so players will be free to gain as much experience as possible and unleash as many high-level abilities as they can gather over the play period.
Diablo 2: Resurrected is one of 2021's most highly-anticipated games, especially among the older PC gaming crowd, who remember the far-off days of playing with friends across dial-up connections. A lot has changed since the release of Diablo 2, including within its own franchise, as Diablo 3 is still going strong and Diablo 4 is on the horizon. There are many fans who have waited a long time for a remaster of Diablo 2 and the upcoming alpha will give several players the chance to see if the game still holds up after all of these years.
Diablo 2: Resurrected will be released for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2021.