Diablo II: Lord of Destruction does that which an expansion pack should do. It adds features and options that enhance the game experience, but in generally indirect ways that are best appreciated by those who have already played through the original release. New character types, new items, and a whole new act are incorporated without violation of the substantive or stylistic parameters established in Diablo II. The plot of the new fifth act is engaging, but corollary enough as not to distract from the grandeur of the original storyline. The gameplay enhancements are welcome, but balanced and secondary such that they do not upset any well-learned conventions.

In turn, a few of the most highly appreciated enhancements offered by this expansion pack are features that one imagines might have easily enough been included in the original game. For example, twice the storage space in the stash is very useful, but this really only relaxes a restriction imposed in the original release instead of introducing anything new. Nevertheless, one of the Diablo series' biggest draws has been the chance to collect items and strategically improve a character's arsenal. That process is now more conveniently managed.

Running the game at 800x600 resolution is truly pleasant. It even positively affects play to a small degree by displaying more of the area surrounding the character on the screen, but this improvement only brings the resulting graphical performance up to par with that of similar titles released around the same time as the original Diablo II, such as Icewind Dale or Nox. Still, one of the great strengths of the series has been that different sorts of gamers could join in on different sorts of machines. With this expansion pack Diablo remains an accessible cross-platform title, playable on a realistically contemporary variety of both Macintosh and Windows-based computers.

Though obviously evolving from aspects of play in the original game, other enhancements offered in this expansion do more than just relax arbitrary limitations or add tangential presentational effects. The option for creating customized items is greater as Lord of Destruction features socketed armor and adds jewels and runes, which can be used in sockets like gems but have more powerful effects (though the full potential of runes had not been implemented for non-Battle.net realm characters at the time of the upgrade's release). The introduction of charms, which bestow benefits to those who carry them, is a clever offset to the loosening of inventory restrictions.

The expansion also brings the ability to switch instantly between two different weapon set-ups. Not only does this save time and inventory space, but it also adds an enjoyable aspect of thoughtful participation to the hack-and-slash action. Some players may choose to equip a ranged weapon in one set-up and a melee weapon in the other, allowing them to choose between the two with a single keystroke as the situation dictates. Even hand-to-hand fighters can enjoy this feature, perhaps devoting one set-up to a good shield and a blunt, undead-smashing weapon and the other to a fast claymore that does extra damage to demons. Two separate configurations of hotkeyed skills also toggle back and forth as the player switches between the two weapon set selections, suggesting even more customization and specialization possibilities.

The expansion's Act V is immediately recognizable as a Diablo II chapter, yet is suitably different from the first four acts as to stand out as a separate adventure. The earlier mountainous levels look vaguely similar to the desert areas in Act II but play more like the later levels of Act III. Many areas towards the end of Act V have atmospheres all their own that are at as distinctively detailed, challengingly designed, and aesthetically pleasing as any found in the first four acts. The story in Act V is a little more focused and linear than that of the seemingly unrelated quests in some of the earlier acts, though this is to good effect as the player's character is more directly involved in the main plotline.

Both of the new character types offered in the expansion are potentially powerful and at least as versatile as the five offered in the original game. The Druid has access to a few ranged spells and lots of summoning skills, plus he is a formidable melee fighter when his lycanthrope skills are developed. The Assassin can perfect a variety of specialized ranged attacks and she can also become a fast and deadly hand-to-hand fighter through the development of several martial arts skills. Both classes are fun to play and are vested with enough personality to make them worthy additions to the ranks of Diablo II. While neither of the two new character classes is decidedly stronger than the original five, in certain situations their well-rounded skill trees may offer advantages over characters with less diverse methods of attack and defense such as the Barbarian or the Sorceress.

One of the less immediately noticeable enhancements to the game is also one of the most significant. Mercenary characters have been improved to the extent that their employment is now highly beneficial, if not crucial. Mercenaries can now wear armor, use weapons, gain experience, and level up. Though much of the advantage they offer still amounts to distracting enemies and drawing monster attacks away from the player's main character, mercenaries are now smarter, stronger, and much more likely to put up a good fight. In addition to the rogue, the warrior, and the mage available in the first three acts, Lord of Destruction players can eventually hire a barbarian mercenary in Act V.

While praise for the enhancements and new features is apt, perhaps this expansion pack should also be applauded for what it does not do. It does not require the player to learn new tricks or interface standards. It does not weaken any of the items, features, or abilities from the original for the sake of making its own additions more desirable. It is not disruptive to the storyline or plot of the original, nor does it disturb the balanced gameplay or multiplayer support. By gently correcting shortcomings and firmly reinforcing strengths, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction is an expansion package truly worthy of the best-selling original. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Though far from revolutionary, its quite nice to be able to enjoy the classic gameplay at a higher resolution. Some of the new spells produce pretty visual effects. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

A few new spooky monster sounds have been added and the voice acting for the new characters is good, but most sound effects are the same as those in the main game. Like other aspects of presentation specific to this expansion, the music in Act V is notably different from that of the original, but not distractingly so. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Anyone who enjoyed the original version of Diablo II will find something more to like in this add-on pack and nothing in the expansion takes away from the pleasures of the original experience. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

The expansion retains three important factors that create excellent replay value. First, the layout and item placement in each area is randomly generated with every new game. Second, players that solve the game once can play through again and again, each time with more powerful monsters and greater rewards. Finally, several public and private options for multiplayer games are supported with no additional charges. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide