Diablo III's beta is nice and all, but in this case, that's the problem. The mean streak Diablo I and II players so fondly remember has seemingly had its edges rounded and then carved into perfect replicas of each of the Carebears. Blizzard, however, is quick to note that Normal mode hardly even scratches the surface of Diablo III's penchant for inflicting grievous harm on both your character and your pride. The hell-bound hack 'n' slash will apparently slice and dice players with all manner of nastiness on higher difficulties, and Blizzard's even gone so far as to release a video detailing the entire gruesome process. Aptly titled “You Will Die. We Promise,” it's basically a couple minutes of various developers promising that you will die. So that's cheery. Check it out after the break.

Diablo III's been attempting to battle its way out of development hell for ages, but a release is finally just around the corner, right? Maybe. Maybe not. Blizzard is, as always, non-committal, but at least this time the notoriously meticulous developer has a reason: It's in the process of playing development Operation with its game, removing and replacing key bits without touching the sides. To be sure, it's touch and go, but as game director Jay Wilson puts it “No one will remember if the game is late, only if it's great."

I don't know if you've heard, but Minecraft is pretty great. Now, maybe (read: probably) I'm crazy, but building towers that scrape – nay, grievously paper cut – the sky and versions of Mt. Rushmore with the faces of Rush band members actually isn't my favorite part of the game. Truth be told, that award goes to the simple act of cracking open a fresh world and seeing the sights. Minecraft's random generator is a subtle master of “Ooooo, what's that over there?” and each unique world is a joy to explore. Towering, snowcapped mountains, glorious seaside vistas, winding cave mazes that feel thousands of years old (as opposed to seconds) – each one's a Costco bulk bag of block-shaped eye candy. 

Meanwhile, when most gamers hear “randomization,” they probably think “Diablo loot,” or – if you've been around the block/are a clinically diagnosed masochist – “roguelikes.” That, I think, needs to change.