About Back to Hellfire: This is a modification for Diablo II Lord of Destruction 1.10. It focuses on re-creating the feel and the atmosphere of Diablo and it's expansion Hellfire while keeping some features from the sequel. Those are features that improve the gameplay in my opinion - arrows, boss graphics, mercenaries to name a few. Don't expect to get a full re-creation of Diablo and Hellfire in the mod - it's very different yet still close to them. After all, if Back to Hellfire was exactly Diablo: Hellfire, what would be the point in it? Back to Hellfire has a different storyline to suit the bigger level environment scattered in the five acts. For example, you will find the Nest in the town of Lut Gholein, and not in Tristram. I can't limit Back to Hellfire to one act. Even if I could, I wouldn't do it, I love variation. I think this brings more fun in the gameplay. So if you liked Diablo and Hellfire, if you love to get scared from monsters and advance slowly...
There is a disconnect between the portraits and what the models look like... necromancer model for the sorcerer and the black guy for the blood mage? Shouldn't it be the other way around, if where going by their portrait. Why is the Monk red skinned... and black skinned Paladin feels out of place with the Warrior when we can see his portrait is a white guy.
It's surprising what a turn off simple aesthetics can be, I found some balancing issues. You keep finding way to many two-handed swords in the Act 1 loot, maybe up the chance of finding daggers and perhaps a tiny chance of a bastard sword?
By the time you reach the cave the enemies do way to much damage, Even with really high vitality and excellent armor I found the Cave pretty hard.
I like the improvements over Diablo, I can finally get mana without having to use mana potions all the time, able to stash my good loot and run away when I'm in danger... and using hirelings.
but the mod takes the disadvantage of Diablo of not being able to choose what skills you want to increase, as well as using class based skills... which makes it hard to find the right skill book for your class.
I've reached level 17 and I've got about 12 skill books, only 3 of which where for my class. I only just found out I can create a skill book for my class by crafting 2 skill books together.. I guess the only thing I would request is to be able to buy skill books with a hefty price tag ala Diablo :)
The poisoned water supply area is quite small, and looks a bit weird. I remember it being bigger in vanilla Diablo.
But apart from those nitpicks I found the mod to be very engaging, refreshing take on the original Diablo especially for people who have never played the original before or its expansion. Many improvements and new weapons/skills.