To clarify, if I was introducing someone to the Diablo series for the first time and told them they’d have to start on the first one. I wouldn’t want them playing the bare vanilla version. There is a Bezelbub mod out there that gives the game lots of QoL improvements, you’d be thinking you’re playing a build of Diablo 2 before its final version.
So, if I had to tell anyone what the best way to play that game would be, it is the Bezelbub mod. That was how I’ve beaten the first game anyways.
I was the same way. Got about 20 hours in and just couldn’t get into it. I played with friends, bot matches, ranked, a variety of characters, and just never got the appeal. I really don’t have a competitive spirit, so maybe that’s the draw I’m not getting.