A dark fantasy action RPG released in 1996 that defined the hack-and-slash loot formula with atmospheric dungeons beneath Tristram.
- Developer/Publisher: Blizzard North / Blizzard Entertainment
- Platform/Year: PC (1996); later PlayStation (1998)
- Genre: Action RPG (dungeon crawler)
- Core loop: Randomized dungeons, real-time combat, and incremental loot/gear progression
- Notable: Battle.net groundwork for the series; foundational influence on ARPGs and loot-driven design