@Stovepiper:
That's correct, if you have a beta you can download both the Mac & Pc client for downloading the game. I'm playing it on my 27" iMac with all graphics maxed out (FSAA is disabled during the beta). I also have a Mac Pro from 2006 with a ati 1900 xt, a Macbook Pro from 2005, a macbook pro from 2008 and a macbook from 2009 on which I'll install the beta so I can compare the performances.
My iMac has the following specs (for those who want to compare)
Operating system: Mac os X Lion 10.7.1
Processor: 2,93Ghz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics: Ati Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB
Yesterday I've tried some of the other characters (being the Monk, Wizard, Demon Hunter). So far I really like of them, but the Monk is definitely my favorite. His fighting style is really animated in a great way and its just really satisfying to see enemies flying around (even though the implementation of the Havoc engine gives some strange animation to dead bodies flying around and landing on the ground again with their legs behind their heads).
One thing I do miss quite a lot is the skill system. It has changed really much in comparison with Diablo 1 & 2. Skills are being automatically assigned to you every time you level up (So my monk will level with the exact same skills as someone else's monk character). However, runes will give you the opportunity to pimp your skills (I have yet to find runes in the beta, I don't even think they're present in the beta).
You also don't have the ability anymore to select multiple combat skills at the beginning. So from level 1-4 (or 6) you only can select 2 skills at a time, once you reach higher levels more active skill slots become available to you. This kinda weird in the beginning but it makes you think twice about selecting the right skill.
The beta mainly exists out of zombies (a few specials, skeletons, strange imps and one big boss). I was kinda hoping to run into some typical Diablo (1&2) monsters (such as the fallen, I freaking loved those creatures) which I've seen in different videos of the game featuring other acts.
One important thing to note is that this game feels very much like a Diablo game and not just another hack and slash game / rpg. Despite a more saturated color approach the game still feels very gritty and dark, the vibe and atmosphere is completely spot on.
I also love how they've still use 2D elements (such as trees and certain other elements of the word) even though they look 3D thanks to lightning displacement maps. This really gives the world that Diablo feeling.
At the moment the beta is only playable on Normal difficulty which in my opinion is way to easy (running trough the entirity of the beta with my level 11 monk takes me about 40 minutes max, thank includes going into every dungeon, killing every monster and exploring every part of the map). So veteran Diablo players will like to play on a more difficult setting once the game is released.
I'll get back to you guys with more info once I've played some of the other characters. At the moment the game feels really polished and looks extremely beautiful, I do hope some of the character models get better textures and perhaps a bit higher poly count, its not something that bothers me while in the game slaying hundreds of monsters but it does feel strange on the character menu screen where you have a beautiful detailed background with a huge low polly character on it.
Overal I'm extremely glad with how the beta is so far, if this game would get released with the quality it has right now it would already be a instant hit worth of 10/10 reviews.
Cheers,
-Brun
