Eight Character Role

Darkstone is a 100% Diablo clone. But there's a difference you'll recognize immediately: it's 3D. But this is not the only "improvement"–the second most important thing is probably that you're in control of two characters. The other character is computer controlled, and you can switch between them at any time. Also, Darkstone has lots of new spells and skills. You're walking through huge woods, have to solve a lot of riddles and descend into deep and dark dungeons.

Sequels are a tricky business, often playing to expectations and hewing close to the formula(s) that helped spawn them in the first place. For many, for those very reasons, they're automatically viewed as a slam dunk, aiding in the creation and extension of a franchise entertainment experience for general audiences that went in hard for the original; for critics, however, they're usually a losing bet. Few who wield the pen or keyboard with a critical gaze look kindly upon these vehicles. But maybe, just maybe, the critics need to loosen up a bit. Good fun packaged to meet expectations needn't be vapid or disposable, and guitarist Dave Stryker says as much with Eight Track II.