Hell yeah dude! (Sorry for the unfamiliar username, I finally decided to take the leap and move my account.) If you ever feel like playing it again in a different game, there's actually a total-conversion mod in production that adds the entirety of Diablo 2 as a separate campaign to Grim Dawn. Highly recommended for future replays, or something a little weirder than the normal game. :)

I've actually wanted to play Grim Dawn for years but resolved to finish Diablo II first because I would play GD for the same reasons I played D2 (other than the nostalgia/resolving unfinished business factor), but then they released expansions and I don't wanna play until I have the full game but I'm like really frugal when it comes to video games (which is a fancy way of saying I might be smart or I might be a cheap self-denying idiot).

As of this post, I do own GD and the Crucible expansion and have indeed heard of this mod, which sounds fucking awesome. I've also done research into builds and tips and all that. But while it's on my to-do list, it's going to have to wait a little while.

The recommendation is appreciated though.

Hey, just sharing recommendations my dude. :) It's better than Diablo 3, by any bill. Glad to hear you're doing your research and taking your time! Veteran mode can be kinda mean with the effects and stats on higher levels, but it's the closest you get to playing D2 without playing D2. I can also highly recommend waiting until you have the full experience: Necromancer and ... Shield dude (sentinel? I hardly ever use shields. I'm a ranged / magic kinda player.) are both really well made and add some good variety to playstyles.

That might've come out wrong, what I'm saying is that I appreciate the vote of confidence for GD, makes me more eager to start it.

Also agreeing on Diablo III. I haven't played it so probably shouldn't judge too quick, but the general consensus is that GD is what D3 was supposed to be, or there's no reason to play D3 when you could be playing D2.

Yeeeaaaaah, the story was sub-par, and while the gameplay is better and more varied than when it launched, D3 is still a far shot from it's predecessor. It's a decent game, but an awful Diablo. If that makes sense. ^-^"