Diablo IV

Sanctuary makes a pretty good place to settle into a steady workout, because there’s almost always something moving toward you and you don’t have to stop every few seconds to aim carefully. I’d start the campaign on a lower difficulty and let the demons keep me company.

Gameplay

Diablo IV is good at keeping your hands busy, and that matters more to me here than having a story I’m desperate to see through. You move through the world, fight groups of enemies, pick up gear, and keep adjusting your character as new skills and equipment show up. There’s a pleasant rhythm to it, like doing a chore where the chore keeps handing you better shoes.

The combat has enough going on to keep me interested without making every fight a little exam. You can use skills to clear out groups, move away from danger, and lean into the abilities you’ve chosen for your character. I think that balance works well for a workout, because you’re paying attention but you’re not trying to make five perfect decisions before the next monster gets a turn.

The campaign does slow down for dialogue and story scenes, and sometimes you’re moving between objectives instead of fighting anything. That’s not a dealbreaker for me, but it does mean the game isn’t constant action from the first minute to the last. I’d treat those quieter stretches as a chance to keep moving at an easy pace rather than expect the game to be a nonstop pile of demons.

Loot and character upgrades are fun, though inventory can turn into a small job of its own when you’ve picked up a lot of gear. I like having a reason to think about what I’m equipping, but I wouldn’t want to stop mid workout and carefully compare every item like I’m buying a used car. I’d make a quick decision, sell or salvage what I don’t want when I’m already in town, and get back to the fighting.

Seasonal content gives you more to do beyond the campaign, which is nice if you get into the character building and want a reason to keep going. I don’t know that every new activity will be equally interesting to you, but the basic pleasure of moving through an area and clearing out enemies holds up. If the story is the thing you’re here for, the campaign gives you a clear direction. If the loot and builds are the thing, there’s more room to tinker.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

The top down view helps a lot, because you can usually see enemies coming and you’re not swinging the camera around while trying to stay upright. Full controller support is a big plus, and the basic movement and combat make sense with a controller in your hands. I’d expect this to work best when you’re walking or riding at a pace where you can still react, not when you’re trying to set a personal record.

Some fights ask for quicker movement, especially when a boss is signaling an attack and you need to get out of the way. I wouldn’t want to meet a new boss while running hard and also trying to remember which button does what, because that’s a lot of work for one pair of thumbs. Lower difficulty makes the action more forgiving, and I’d use it for a treadmill session unless you specifically enjoy being pushed around by a screen full of monsters.

Inventory and skill menus are the parts I’d skip while moving quickly. The game gives you plenty of chances to think about your gear and abilities, but looking at small item details while your feet are bouncing is not how I want to spend a workout. I’d do the sorting when I’m standing still or moving very gently, then go back out and let the game handle the busy part.

On a bike, I think the longer stretches between fights could be easier to manage, but I wouldn’t call this a game that only works there. The same controller setup works on a treadmill, and you can ease off the pace when a fight gets hectic. I don’t know, I’d probably start with a comfortable pace and see whether the boss fights make me reach for the speed controls.

There’s also the online requirement to keep in mind, since the minimum requirements call for a broadband connection. I’d want a steady connection before planning a workout around it, because a dropped connection would be a pretty boring reason to stop moving.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The minimum goes back to an old graphics card, so this isn’t asking for a brand new gaming computer, but the listed target is low settings and 30 frames per second. I’d check for an SSD and enough room for the large install before anything else, since those are easy to overlook.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Diablo IV is a good choice if you want combat to fill most of a workout and don’t mind pausing your pace for menus or tougher fights. I’d suggest it to someone who likes action RPGs and wants plenty to do between stretches of story.

Overall Score: 2.67 out of 3