HomeFeatures
What’s better: Chain explosions or Diablo’s Tristram theme?Vote now as we continue deciding the single best thing in games
Vote now as we continue deciding the single best thing in games
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Softworks
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Softworks
Chain explosions
You know what’s great? An explosion. You know what’s better? Multiple explosions? You know what’s best? A chain of explosions, each triggering a new explosion which triggers a new explosion which triggers a new explosion, on and on, though never for quite as long as you wish.
My new favourite card in deck-building tower defense gameHeretic’s Forkis Coin Barrage, which which gives coin drops a chance to explode. Cast enough times, every coin will explode. Then boost your coin drop rate and damage and eventually, in the right conditions, killing enemies will start a chain explosion as coins kill enemies who drop coins which kill enemies who drop coins and your screen fills with purple explosions. It’s quite good.
I feel many games modern games offer opportunities for chain explosions in these modern days of perks and traits and rolls and roguelikelikes, opportunities to carefully craft a cascade. Sometimes the classics are the simplest. The Doom 2 level Barrels O' Fun features several long corridors lined with explosive barrels. Shoot one and watch the explosions cascade down the hall. Beautiful. The emotional power of video games.
Chain reactions with Sunshot in Destiny 2I always enjoyed Destiny 2’s Sunshot, a magical hand cannon which could start chain explosions in hordes of weaker enemiesWatch on YouTube
Chain reactions with Sunshot in Destiny 2
Diablo’s Tristram theme
No matter how big Diablo games grow, no matter how Prime their Evils, no matter how many cities and continents fall to demons, for me, the heart of the series is always in a doomed hamlet hanging beneath a few strums of a 12-string guitar. It’s not even a main theme yet holds more wonder and magic and comfort and humanity and tragedy than entire games.
Diablo 2 Resurrected Act 1 Tristram HD MusicWatch on YouTube
Diablo 2 Resurrected Act 1 Tristram HD Music
But which is better?
I’ve been thinking about this all day and still cannot decide. What do you think, reader dear?
