Review: Diablo 4

Diablo 4 is a triumphant return to form for the series. It beautifully blends the nostalgic elements fans have come to love with new features and mechanics that elevate the gameplay experience. While no game is without its minor flaws, the overall package presented by Diablo 4 is nothing short of stellar. Whether you're a series veteran or a newcomer, there's plenty to love and discover in the bleak yet mesmerizing world of Sanctuary.

Diablo 4, Blizzard Entertainment’s latest entry into the iconic action-RPG franchise, had a significant amount of anticipation built around it. Fans eagerly awaited a successor to Diablo 3, hoping for a rich experience that blended the best of the previous games while also introducing fresh elements. Now that it's finally here, it's time to delve into the world of Sanctuary once again and determine if Diablo 4 has succeeded in its mission.

Graphics and Atmosphere

From the moment you step into the world of Sanctuary, it's evident that Diablo 4 is a visual masterpiece. The game returns to the darker, grittier aesthetic reminiscent of Diablo 2, offering a much-welcomed departure from the slightly more colorful and cartoonish design of its predecessor. Environments are meticulously detailed, from the gloomy dungeons and crypts to the sprawling outdoor landscapes, each teeming with life (and undeath). Dynamic weather and time of day further enhance the atmosphere, making the world feel alive and ever-changing.

Character and monster designs are intricately detailed, and animations are smooth. The graphic fidelity brings a heightened level of immersion, and the visceral combat feels all the more satisfying because of it.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, Diablo 4 remains faithful to the series' hack-and-slash roots. The combat is fluid, and the weightiness of each strike or spell can be felt. But Blizzard hasn’t just stuck to the old formula; there's a number of new gameplay mechanics and refinements that enrich the experience.

The introduction of mounts, for example, allows for faster traversal across the vast open world, and the customization options for these mounts add another layer of personal touch to your character. The world is no longer segmented into separate acts, but rather, it flows seamlessly, making exploration and discovery all the more enticing.

The skill and talent system in Diablo 4 feels more expansive and flexible. This offers players the ability to truly tailor their characters to their playstyle, rather than being funneled into a few optimal builds.

Story and Narrative

Without diving into spoiler territory, Diablo 4’s story is a rollercoaster of emotions. The narrative harkens back to the series' roots, with looming threats, betrayal, and the eternal struggle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. The voice acting and cutscenes are of the high standard we’ve come to expect from Blizzard, with the story being both engaging and compelling.

Online Features and Multiplayer

Diablo 4’s shared open world brings an MMO-esque flavor to the game. Players can encounter others organically in the world, team up for events, or tackle challenging world bosses together. However, for those who cherish the solitary experience of a Diablo game, it’s still entirely possible to play solo without feeling the pressures of the online community.

The PvP zones, a contentious feature for some, provide a unique dynamic where players can face off against each other, adding an unpredictable element to the gameplay.

Endgame and Replayability

A Diablo game's longevity largely rests on its endgame content, and Diablo 4 offers plenty in this department. The new "Dungeon Key" system, which allows players to modify dungeons for greater challenges and rewards, is a standout feature. Additionally, seasonal content, leaderboards, and the ever-present loot hunt ensure that players will have reasons to come back long after the main story is completed.

Shanquella Robinson could have been anyone of us

 Shanquella Robinson, 25, a young, educated businesswoman from Charlotte, North Carolina, traveled to the town of San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, on October 28, 2022, with her best friend of more than 5 years, Khalil Cooke, and a number of other close friends from college, including Malik Dryer, Wenter Dononvan, Alysse Hyatt, and Daejhanae Jackson. All except one checked into the Villa Linda that day, Nazeer Wiggins stated that he arrived a day later and wasn’t privy to the events that transpired that led to Shanquella’s death.

CNN reported that Shanquella's Mother, Salamondra Robinson had spoken to her daughter that morning, “seeming happy and excited for the trip”.  Shanquella had informed her mother that the group had a chef, and they were eating tacos.  Satisfied that her daughter was safe she said “Okay, enjoy yourself. Love you. I will talk to you tomorrow.” Little did she know that would be the last time she would hear her daughter’s voice.

The next day, Shanquella's Mother received a phone call from Khalil, stating Shanquella was resting because she was not feeling well; after throwing up from a hangover. Shanquella's mother asked Khalil to keep her informed and to have her daughter call her when she gets better. Shanquella’s mother wasn’t concerned because she felt that her daughter was amongst friends, they “especially Khalil” who would have Shanquella's best interest at heart.

Now, there are several vague details regarding what happened and the events leading up to the phone call to Shanquella’s mother:

According to one story, someone called the front desk after they noticed that Shanquella wasn’t “waking up”, the front desk notified a nurse who went to the room. Another story is that Shanquella was found unresponsive by the maid and the doctor was called to the Villa.

The doctor found Robinson with stable vital signs, but she was dehydrated and unable to communicate. The doctor was told that Robinson had “drunk a lot of alcohol.” When the suggestion was made that Ms. Robinson should be treated at a medical facility, the proposal was refused, the group insisting that she be treated at the Villa. The doctor then attempted to administer IV fluids, when Shanquella began having a seizure. At that point, one of Robinson’s friends called for an ambulance. At 4:49 p.m., when the doctor detected no pulse, she and one of Robinson’s friends began giving her CPR. Paramedics administered more rounds of CPR and adrenaline and discharges from a defibrillator. Robinson was pronounced dead at 5:57 p.m

At That time, Khalil called back later and said that 3 ambulances were at their Villa, and despite medical officials trying to help Shanquella; she passed away from alcohol poisoning.

The group left Mexico, coming back to the US, without Shanquella’s body. Reportedly, her family spent approximately six thousand dollars and two weeks for Shanquella’s body to be recovered, delays due to communication and transport issues.

It is said that   Khalil and the other ladies stopped by Shanquella Robinson’s mother’s home on several occasions, the first time to drop off their late friend’s luggage. During those visits the group made no efforts to clear up any circulating rumors that Mrs. Robinson’s daughter had been involved in an altercation, and were all telling conflicting stories, leading Mrs. Robinson to believe that the friends were hiding something.  Shanqualla’s sister even noted that during this time Khahlil had begun to act strange- He was nervous, sweating and constantly grabbing his beard – clear acts of guilt or distress.

But when the autopsy came, the coroner noted that her daughter had died of severe spinal cord trauma to her neck and atlas luxation (loosening or detachment of her first vertebra from the base of her skull), the report makes no mention of alcohol poisoning.  Photos released showed Shanquella’s face and eyes were swollen, her lips were split, with a knot on her forehead. After that time, Salamondra states that Khalil never returned to the house again.

 Although Authorities in Mexico have initially denied accusations to label this as foul play, several videos surfaced online that contradicts that claim: One of Shanquella herself walking in the Villa, searching for her friends, and seems to find them grouped up in another room of the property. The second video, was supposedly filmed by Khalil Cooke, videotaping a sleeping Shanquella saying, “We’ve got our first dead body” and repeating the sentiment several times.

The third video, showed a naked Shanquella getting punched in the head and slung to the ground by one of the girls she took the trip with, which viewers believe to be Daejhanae Jackson. You can see Shanquella clearly not fighting back, and when asked by the man recording (who we believe to be Khalil Cooke) "Quella can you at least fight"? Shanquella is heard saying "No!" But despite her cries, she continued to get attacked, punched in her head, face, back of her neck, and knees by “Ms. Jackson”.

Shortly after, Nazeer Wiggins took to Instagram live to explain his version of things, in hopes to clear his name.  This is where we learned that he was not due to arrive until the next day.  At the beginning of the live, Wiggins accounts that he is innocent and that he wasn’t there at the time of the alleged fights. He continues to say if he had been present, he would have stopped it from happening.  He ended the video, by asking viewers to “leave him and his family in peace”, alluding to threats and harassment he and his family has received since his return from Mexico.

Two more videos are rumored to exist- one featuring the voice of one of the 6, Wenter Donovan explaining her variation of the story. Donovan admits to the fight happening, but Shanquella was the instigator because “she was drunk” and another supposedly starring Donovan and Robinson and Winter was noted to have body slammed Robinson, but neither one of these videos has been verified.

Recently there have been several updates that Daejhanae Jackson had been arrested and taken into custody, but to date, no video, arrest record, or formal statement has been made to substantiate that information.

         The Mexican authorities changed their tune recently about the “Cabo 6”, investigating Ms. Robinson’s death now as femicide- the term used in the killing of a woman based on her gender.  We were able to confirm a warrant has been issued but have yet to learn the name of the person on the warrant.  We are currently unaware if the U.S authorities intend to cooperate with Mexican police, despite the FBI in Charlotte opening a subsequent investigation.

         A little over two months later, Salamondra and Bernard Robinson are still waiting for answers from Mexican authorities, the NC FBI, or even the “Cabo 6” as to the events leading to their daughter’s death and who will be punished for it. The State Department is tight-lipped- and rightfully so, about proceedings that involve the extradition of  U.S citizens. When a citizen of the United States passes away abroad, local authorities are in charge of identifying the cause of death, according to the State Department, which also stated that it is supporting and monitoring the inquiry into Shanquella's death. 

  A GoFundMe account has been set up on behalf of Shanquella Robinson, and thanks to social media, helped reach the eyes and ears of celebrities and other prominent social figures such as K. Michelle, Kyrie Erving, Tamika Mallory and Spectacular Smith. Upwards to $275,000 has been said to have been earned on her behalf.