Barbarian Gameplay Video Analysis

The video begins with the animated Blizzard logo, blue with white lightning streaks running through it.  After that it proceeds to a still clip of the Hell Gate poster art, this time focused solely on the Barbarian.  As soon as this intro passes the true footage begins.  We start with the Barbarian in Act I, most likely in town due to the cobblestone paths.  He has the Double Swing skill at the ready and walks down the cobblestone path and out the gate into the wilderness area of Act I.

The Unknown skill...The transition brings us to a fight between the Barbarian and a Fallen.  The Barbarian swings only once with his spear to fell the monster instantly.  Most interesting in this scene is the globe the Barbarian has atop his head, appearing to me like a miniature, glowing skull.  It even appears to drip something as the Barbarian fights.  This is possible the creation of the unknown skill the Barbarian has equipped, or perhaps it is some kind of status ailment like a Necromancer's curse.

The next scene brings us to the Barbarian fighting a trio of zombies in Act I's crypts.  Much to the Barbarian's style the action is hack and slash as he lays the zombies low.  It appears he has his Shout skill equipped as well, but no other characters are around to enjoy its benefits.  The following scene is much like the former, except this time the Barbarian is facing off against 6 to 7 skeletons.  The Barbarian is surrounded, and after a few attacks decides to use his Leap skill to bound over the opposition.  HeUnknown skill, possibly "Bash"... kicks up a plume of dust as he lands and turns to kill the other skeletons.

The transition brings us Act I's wilderness yet again as the Barbarian squares off against some flying creatures.  He has an unknown skill equipped, but apparently it boosts the power of his strike as it kicks up a burst of energy every time he strikes something.  This skill might be Bash, or perhaps another more powerful attacking skill. 

The next scene brings us into the Caves area, where the Barbarian is fighting against several Fallen and their Firebolt-tossing Shaman.  After being hit with a firebolt the Barbarian uses his Leap skill again to leap over the Shaman.  Upon landing he turns and slays one of the Shaman's guards, then turns towards the Shaman, ready to lay down the deathblow.  But before he can we have a transition.

We come to another wilderness area; this time in the vicinity of an eerie shrine called the "Tree of Inifuss."  Several of the Corrupted Rogues are in the vicinity and begin to close on the Barbarian.  Unmindful of the advancing monsters the Barbarian walks to a chest and opens it, collecting the gold that spills out.  As he does, the Corrupted Rogues surround him.  When his Stamina leaves the red and enters the yellow once again he turns and fights them. 

The next transition shows the Barbarian wielding a truly The Tree of Inifuss...huge two-handed sword as he walks towards the entrance to the Caves section of Act I.  A torch-bearing Fallen walks towards him and the Barbarian cuts the Fallen down in one hit.  The next transition brings us to Cemetery area of Act I, facing off against several zombies as a Corrupted Rogue (perhaps an NPC) fires Flame Arrows at him.  This Barbarian also appears to have a Rogue hireling helping him in the rough spots as well. 

We come to the Caves again, this time with the Barbarian fighting several Corrupted Rogues.  If I am not mistaken, this is the first time we've seen these monsters in the Caves area.  The Barbarian makes quick work of these Corrupted Rogues, killing them almost effortlessly.  As always, their death animation is one of the most stunning we've seen such far.  The next transition brings us to the wilderness again as the Barbarian and his Rogue hireling kill another of the Fallen in this quick sequence.

The next sequence brings us back to the Caves as the Barbarian deals death to a Fallen.  The magic of his nearby Shaman resurrects the dead Fallen, which the Barbarian promptly kills again.  A few of the Fallen's comrades advance on the Barbarian and begin to attackThe Barbarian's Leap... en masse.   The Barbarian uses the Leap skill again to jump over the Shaman's defenders, then attacks the Shaman himself.  Exhibiting their inbred yellow streak, the Fallen rout upon the death of their beloved Shaman.  There is a quick transition that brings us to the Barbarian slaying yet another Fallen.  He has his Find Heart skill equipped.

The Barbarian, with that unknown skill equipped yet again, is attacking a zombie in the next sequence.  Again the attack produces the energy-like effect that knocks the zombie back but doesn't kill it right away.  The next attack the Barbarian delivers does however, ending this particular battle.  The last scene in the video shows the Barbarian in town as he enters a building that looks remarkably like a medieval home.  After this the flaming Diablo II logo appears and the video draws to a close.  A remarkable video with loads of new information and a good look at some of the Barbarian's skills.

 

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Skill of the Week

Iron Maiden
Harkening back to an inquisitional torture, the Iron Maiden curse causes all damage an enemy does to you to be returned to that enemy as well.  Part of the Necromancer´s
Curses, it is a powerful addition to his arsenal.

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