The Basics:
Platform: PC
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Price: $30 or less
ESRB rating: M (Mature)

Summary: The demon lord Diablo has left a wake of destruction and terror as he moves to take over the world. Fight your way through dungeons and cities with the character of your choice to conquer the demon lord and his minions.

Note: This game is almost constant fighting-there is very little storyline. In addition, young players could definitely be frightened by the cinematic interludes, which contain torture, demon possession, and battles.

Further Breakdown:

Overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Best for ages: 17+
Playability: Relatively simple controls make this game easy to master.
Graphics: Excellent for its time, still very good.
Entertainment value: Engaging and re-playable.
Educational value: None really: The ideas of Heaven and Hell could open a discussion on religion and theology.
Reading Level: 6+. Most of the written segments are both text and audible.
KidScore Rating

Ages 3-7: Red
Ages 8-12: Red
Ages 13-17: Red
Violence Amount: Red
Fear: Red
Illegal/harmful: Green
Language: Green
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green

Review:
Many role playing games contain a rich storyline, with multiple quests developing the overall story and theme of the game. Comparatively speaking, Diablo II and its expansion pack contain only a rudimentary story that, while well done, only serves as a weak link from one battle scene to the next. Hardly any game time is enlisted in developing the story, rather the vast majority of the game focuses on the real-time battles between the player's character and enemies.

Perhaps one of the more worrisome aspects of this game is the direct correlation between player action and violence. Unlike many role playing games, where battles are fought in a turn-based style similar to a board game, Diablo was one of the first popular games to employ a "real-time" aspect of the gameplay. With every click of the mouse, the player can move their sword or cast a spell to attack enemies. Strategy primarily involves simply choosing the best weapon or spell your character can use. The battles can be quite bloody as well-larger monsters, in particular, can explode into a large puddle of blood and guts.

Considering the plotline of the game, scariness is a factor to also consider. The premise of the game involves the character taking on Diablo, which is, of course, simply another name for the Devil. The expansion pack picks up where Diablo II leaves off, by having the character fight Diablo's "brother" Baal. The idea of Heaven versus Hell is prominent throughout the games, with the player being assisted by an angel of sorts, while taking on various demons and monsters, all the while building up to the battle with Diablo, and later Baal. The potentially scary segments are mostly contained in the cinematic segments between the main "acts". These scenes tie the overall story together, and contain some of the most disturbing scenes, including battles, possession by demons, torture and fires.

Although undoubtedly a popular and well-made game, Diablo II is not a good choice for kids. The quantity of violence and the context in which the violence is contained, should warn parents to steer clear of this game for their kids.