But there are so many good Diablo-esque games today, why waste time on the original if its going to be like this?

Two of my favorites (aside from already mentioned PoE) being Grim Dawn and Titan Quest, both by Crate Entertainment.

If you liked Diablo, and want to play a similar game in either a Grimdark Witching-Hour setting or Classical (Greek, Egyptian, Nordic, Chinese) Mythic setting check them out.