Diablo 4 players demand change to endgame mode nobody asked for

Diablo 4 players are calling for the Dark Citadel to be turned into a solo mode, many of them not wanting to engage with the forced multiplayer element.

The Vessel of Hatred expansion introduced some fun new endgame modes to Diablo 4 such as the Kurast Undercity and the team-focused Dark Citadel, but after six months, some players are growing tired of what they feel is forced multiplayer.

Diablo 4 contains more MMO elements than previous games, with the action taking place in a perpetually online world where other players can be seen running around killing monsters, visiting vendors, and doing their own thing. It’s common for two or several players to team up to complete a shared objective, but these moments of collaboration are usually fleeting.

Once a towering enemy has been killed, or a goal completed, most players will go their separate ways. So while Diablo 4 is a social game, most players like to roll solo. The majority of the endgame modes are geared around this playstyle, but with the Dark Citadel, Blizzard has taken inspiration from MMOs like Lost Ark.

This mode requires players to form a party of either two or four before they’re able to join in on the action. For players who enjoy Diablo 4 with friends, this isn’t a big deal, but for the players who like to prefer ti play solo, it’s just a hassle and holds them back from enjoying what the Dark Citadel has to offer.

Most Diablo players are solo warriors

Posting to Reddit, one player called for the mode to be given a single-player option, saying, “The majority of players play solo! At the end of a season or in Eternal, there is nobody in the Social Hub. What is the point of creating an activity that can’t be done? It’s just frustration.”

Another player agreed, saying, “Agreed, I think it’s the stupidest element to play ..or rather not be able to play like me. It’s the only part of the game that requires you to play co-op and it’s dumb because I’m a solo warrior and won’t co-op.”

And, “Agreed. I was complaining about this recently and learned that the couch co-op people can’t play it either. The Diablo franchise was always mostly single-player and never had coop required before. Their base doesn’t want an MMO, they want a power fantasy, and other players ruin that.”

Some players suggested that Blizzard could allow solo players to bring their Mercenaries instead of co-op partners, arguing that this is still a two-person team. Mercs aren’t permitted in Dark Citadel currently, so this could be a solution.

However, some players defended the Dark Citadel in its current form, with one saying,” I actually like group content and wish there was more! It’s easy to create a group or find one and start blasting. It’s a different kind of element that reminds me of more traditional MMOs that I kinda miss but also don’t want to spend 1000 hours like Lost Ark trying to gear up and figure out all the boss mechanics.”

Another agreed saying, “Same. I’ve always leaned more into solo play, but grinding the last 40 levels towards 300 I started using the social tab as a change of pace. I was surprised at how fast it is grouping up and dropping in/out. No one is screaming into their mic or expecting you to talk to them. More people should try it as it’s actually pretty fun.”

While the Dark Citadel does feel slightly out of place in Diablo 4, the endgame mode can also be a refreshing change of pace for players who’ve done everything else there is to do. However, allowing solo players to join in would also let more people enjoy it.