Highlights
Diablo 4 presents an expansive realm teeming with distinct environments waiting to be discovered. However, without access to mounts until later in the game, traversing this vast world can be a tiresome and sluggish affair.While seasoned players may not find this an inconvenience, newcomers are compelled to endure approximately 10 hours of traversing on foot before obtaining mounts. This elongated period of gameplay can leave a sense of monotony and ennui.
Players deserve the freedom to explore Diablo 4's expansive world in their own preferred manner. To enhance the gaming experience, it would be beneficial to introduce mounts at an earlier stage, offering players more options and added enjoyment.
Diablo 4's Horses Should Come Sooner
While experienced players progressing through the Season of the Malignant content will encounter no issues with navigation, newcomers to Diablo 4 are compelled to traverse the game world at a slower pace. It is slightly perplexing that the game prohibits them from acquiring mounts until they have almost completed the primary storyline. Blizzard has meticulously created a captivating and distinct world for players to explore, but it would have been more prudent to grant them the ability to ride a horse much earlier in their journey.
Sanctuary in Diablo 4 is divided into five unique regions, each offering a delightful exploration experience. Every region stands out from the rest, injecting vibrancy into this captivating world. Spanning a size that surpasses any previous Diablo game by 10 to 20 times, players have the freedom to traverse the entire world from the start, courtesy of level scaling. While this feature adds immense depth to the action role-playing game (ARPG), the substantial size of the world can occasionally result in sluggish traversal.
The main campaign in Diablo 4 requires players to extensively explore the game world on foot. Fast travel options are unavailable until players uncover nearby waypoints and obtaining a mount is only possible after completing the Donan's Favor quest, which becomes accessible in the fourth act of the story. This timing for mount access feels somewhat delayed.
Estimates from players suggest that it takes approximately 10 hours to complete the first three acts of Diablo 4. Therefore, players are compelled to traverse the world on foot for this extended period of time. While the world itself is impressive, this prolonged walking can become tedious. Furthermore, the situation worsens as players frequently find themselves being sent to the farthest corners of the world simply to progress with the story. Along their journey, they must combat hordes of demons, find the correct paths within different regions, and may encounter multiple obstacles along the way.
Exploring the vast world of Diablo 4 can be an enjoyable experience, and it's important for players to have the freedom to explore it in their own preferred way. Initially, players can undertake missions on foot, but it's essential to provide them with the option to acquire a horse later on. This way, those who prefer traversing on foot can continue to do so, while those who desire the thrill of galloping through city streets can have that opportunity as well. While Season of the Malignant characters have access to mounts from the start, newcomers should also be able to obtain mounts fairly early in the story.
Similar to World of Warcraft's implementation of flying, it appears that Blizzard has a strong emphasis on ensuring that Diablo 4 players fully experience the meticulously crafted world. Undoubtedly, the game's world is impressive and contributes to Diablo 4's allure. However, it's crucial to respect player choice and not impose a specific traversal method. By limiting player options, it may dissuade some individuals from even trying the game and potentially create resentment for those who spend hours navigating the world. With Blizzard's renewed commitment to its players, it is hoped that they reconsider their approach to mounts in Diablo 4 for future seasons.
Diablo 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.