Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Review – A Promising Expansion

Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred expansion aims to breathe new life into the game by introducing fresh content and features, while also addressing player concerns about the base game. Set in the jungles of Nahantu, the expansion introduces six new areas for players to explore, featuring a dark setting rooted in the series’ lore. The story continues where the base game left off, focusing on Neyrelle and the ever-present threat of Mephisto. Those familiar with Diablo 2 will find a deeper connection here, as the expansion revisits areas and themes from earlier titles, making it a nostalgic addition for long-time fans.

One of the most prominent additions to Vessel of Hatred is the introduction of a brand-new character class, the Spiritborn. This unorthodox class brings versatility and fresh combat mechanics, revolving around the use of four Spirit Guardians that enable varied playstyles. Whether players prefer aggressive, defensive, or supportive combat, the Spiritborn offers plenty of customization, which should appeal to both veteran players seeking a new challenge and newcomers looking for a more accessible class. It certainly feels like a meaningful addition that brings diversity to the range of combat options available in Diablo 4.

With regards to new gameplay mechanics, Vessel of Hatred introduces the long-awaited return of mercenaries. Fans of Diablo 2 will recall how essential they were in aiding players during tough battles, and their return in Diablo 4 makes for a more compelling experience. Each of the mercenaries has a unique set of skills and personal questlines. Players can strengthen their bonds with them through a rapport system that unlocks rewards, serving as a great incentive to stick with a specific mercenary of choice. That said, given how Diablo 4’s AI can be hit-or-miss at times, it isn’t always viable to rely on mercenaries during combat encounters, especially for the expansion’s more challenging activities.

Vessel of Hatred adds a new endgame dungeon with raid-like mechanics to Diablo 4, called The Dark Citadel. It stands out because of its multi-layered design, puzzles, formidable bosses, and unique mechanics that require teamwork to overcome. The introduction of weekly rewards for completing this dungeon aims to give players the incentive to return regularly, though it remains to be seen how well this will address concerns regarding the repetitive nature of endgame content in the base game. As of now, however, the Dark Citadel offers plenty of replayability to remain optimistic.

Customization options in Vessel of Hatred are also expanded with the introduction of Runewords. This system allows players to combine different runes to create powerful effects, which improves the strategic nature of the game. Players can pair Ritual and Invocation runes, and this variety of combinations brings further depth to character builds. However, while the Runewords system does a good job of catering to veteran players who enjoy min-maxing their builds and experimenting with different synergies, it doesn’t do much in the way of accessibility for newcomers.

PvP-focused players will likely be disappointed with Vessel of Hatred, as it tends to lean more towards cooperative and solo content rather than expanding Diablo 4’s competitive element. The new dungeons and gameplay systems cater heavily to PvE players, and the lack of prominent new competitive modes or updates to existing offerings is somewhat of an oversight.

The primary concern with Vessel of Hatred remains whether the new class, gameplay mechanics, and content will be substantial enough to keep Diablo 4 players engaged. Despite the introduction of engaging new features like the Dark Citadel and Runewords, the expansion’s real challenge will be in preventing the grind-heavy nature of Diablo 4 from resurfacing once the novelty of the new content wears off. Ultimately, the balance between offering meaningful content and ensuring that it doesn’t devolve into a repetitive cycle will be key to its long-term success.

All in all, Vessel of Hatred provides a substantial amount of content that expands upon the foundation of Diablo 4. The new class, gameplay mechanics, and content offer plenty of reasons for players to dive back into the world of Sanctuary. While there are concerns about the potential for endgame grind, the expansion introduces enough fresh content to make it a compelling offer for fans of the series at launch. How well it will hold up over time will depend on the execution of its seasonal content.

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Game Information

• Price: $39.99
• Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
• Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
• Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher