Can you play Diablo 4 without playing the previous games?

Are you new to the Diablo series? Perhaps you're not, but if you didn't play the last game. Diablo 3, and you're wondering if you can jump right into Diablo 4. Diablo 4 is a huge package with a lot of content right out of the gate, so if either of these scenarios accurately describes you, you've come to the right place to learn the truth of the matter. Here's everything you need to know.

Should you play Diablo 4 without playing the prequels?

As someone who has played every single Diablo game, I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that you can jump into Diablo 4 without having played the previous games in the series. The reason is that Diablo 4 is much more open-ended compared to the earlier games. While the story is there and does technically continue the storyline that started in Diablo 1, that information is mainly irrelevant to get enjoyment out of the title. After all, Diablo games are much more about loot and character building than the story attached.

Speaking of story, the stories that are integrated from the previous Diablo games do provide some context for the events that occur within Diablo 4. Lilith, the main antagonistic force in Diablo 4, was actually introduced into the series back in Diablo 2, for example. Her part in Diablo 2 was extremely small, only showing herself during a limited-time event. However, this is essentially not that important because Diablo has never been about the story. On top of that, Diablo 4's storyline is somewhat disconnected from the rest of the series, so you won't be in the dark that much.

Related: When can I download Diablo 4 – Exact launch time

From a gameplay perspective, Diablo 4 is the most welcoming of the series by far. While there are still plenty of complicated items and builds to keep track of, the experience has largely been trimmed compared to the series' older games. Rarely will you be confused by where to go or what to pick up because the game presents content in a way that is easy to digest for newcomers to the series.

With all that said, I'd go so far as to say that Diablo 4 is the best starting point of the series to date. Much of the fluff, common in the previous games, is no longer present, and I'm all for it. While I cannot sit here a say that everything in Diablo 4 is totally welcoming to new players, the majority of it certainly is, and I recommend you try the game out for yourself. Who knows? You may even become a fan like the rest of us.

For more quality guides, information, tips, and tricks relating to Diablo 4, check out Should you play on Tier 1 or Tier 2 in Diablo 4? and keep a close eye on Pro Game Guides.