Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred (PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 & PC)

 Diablo IV’s expansion, Vessel of Hatred, has been an eager wait for millions of fans globally. With this entry, Blizzard promised to deliver a new class, more zones to explore, and even more epic battles. However, shortly after playing through the addition, some of us are left scratching our heads. Did Blizzard deliver what we expected, or did it fall short of the hype? Let’s break it down in this Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred review and find out.

A Lost Opportunity

Let’s start with the meat and potatoes of the expansion: the story. If you were hoping for a deep, immersive narrative like in Diablo II or III, it is time to control your expectations. The campaign feels a bit like reheated leftovers. Vessel of Hatred is more like a side quest than a full-fledged expansion. Fortunately, it’s not extremely poor. However, this isn’t what we signed up for, either.

If you’ve played through the base campaign of Diablo IV, you know the plot can get pretty intense. Vessel of Hatred picks up right where things left off. This time, we’re heading to a new area, Nahantu. From this point, the scenes start changing. Here, the environment in the jungle vastly differs from the exploration back in Act III. The new environment now feels more vibrant and alive. It’s definitely iconic, considering all the death and demons you’ll encounter.

In its initial hours, the narrative unfolds smoothly, giving the illusion of a more sinister ending. Here, players are introduced to new characters, new zones, and a bunch of cutscenes that are nothing short of stunning. Of course, Blizzard, as always, does a great job with visuals. 

However, as you are deeply carried away, the narrative starts fading out. After continuous teases of major revelations, the story hits a wall. Major characters like Urivar, now feel insignificant and fade into the background. Such things pose grinding confusion amongst players. 

Missing in Action

Where’s Mephisto? That’s the big question. For an expansion titled Vessel of Hatred, which points to Mephisto, one of Diablo’s most iconic villains, you’d expect the Lord of Hatred to make a grand entrance or at least have a significant presence. But oddly enough, Mephisto is pretty much absent in Vessel of Hatred. Plenty of build-up suggests he’ll be a significant part of the story, but he never shows up in the way you’d expect.

Players hoping for an epic showdown or a more profound exploration of Mephisto’s role in the universe are left hanging. It feels like Blizzard is teasing us, holding back the real Mephisto reveal for a future expansion or update.

Instead of fighting or interacting with Mephisto, Blizzard gives hints and references pointing to his involvement behind the scenes. However, the narrative doesn’t deliver his existence. It’s a classic case of wait and see, which might be disappointing if you were banking on a big boss fight with him in this expansion.

In short, Mephisto’s absence is glaring. While his shadow looms over parts of the story, he remains a background figure for now. Maybe he’s saving his big entrance for the next expansion. As for Vessel of Hatred, we’re left wondering why the Lord of Hatred himself is missing in action.

Pure Fun

The Spirit Borne class is, without a doubt, the main highlight of the Vessel of Hatred expansion, and for good reason. It brings a fresh sense of excitement to the gameplay, especially if you’ve grown tired of the standard classes from the base game. With its animalistic powers and the ability to summon Spirit Guardians, the Spirit Borne class lets you wreak havoc in style.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Spirit Borne is its customizable nature. Whether you want to focus on melee, ranged attacks, or crowd control, there’s a build for you. One of the best things about the Spirit Borne is the sheer number of customization options. Every time you unlock a new skill, you start thinking, “What if I mix this with that?” and before you know it, you’re trapped in a never-ending loop of build experimentation.

However, while the class is undoubtedly fun, it’s difficult to ignore familiarity. Staunch Diablo game players, especially in the Monk class from Diablo III, will notice some similarities in playstyle. The fast-paced, agile combat and elemental-themed abilities make the Spirit Borne feel like a spiritual successor to the Monk. While this is not a bad thing; long-time players might feel a bit of déjà vu and probably become quickly bored.

Even more bad news; this expansion is not free. Gamers have to spend more to play this class, which might be a dealbreaker for some, considering its price tag. However, for the love of experimenting with new builds and gameplay, the Spirit Borne is well worth the investment.

What’s New

Wondering what’s new in this expansion? Nahantu, the new zone in Vessel of Hatred, brings a refreshing change to the icy landscapes of the base game. Currently, the jungle is a vibrant environment. Though it echoes the Kurast zones from Diablo II, this version feels more alive and visually distinct.

The dense jungle keeps you on your toes with narrow paths and enemies at every turn. While this adds excitement to your journey, it can also become frustrating when trying to reach an objective. At this location, players encounter combat every few steps, which is a sure way to slow their progress.

Additionally, Nahantu introduces new endgame activities like the Kurast Undercity and Dark Citadel. These provide extra challenges and rewards for players looking for something fresh. However, despite its new look, Nahantu doesn’t break much new ground in terms of variety. It’s a beautiful addition, but it doesn’t feel all that different from past zones.

Still, for those who love exploration and nostalgia, Nahantu offers plenty of action. It serves as a great backdrop for the expansion’s adventures. It’s familiar yet satisfying, even if it doesn’t completely revolutionize the Diablo experience.

Speaking of the Dark Citadel. This is Diablo’s version of a raid, and it’s an absolute blast. You’ll need a team of at least two players to take on the various wings of the Citadel. Now, each wing features fearless bosses, mechanics, and plenty of loot. The Citadel isn’t difficult, so even if you’re playing with randoms, you’ll likely be able to complete it without too much trouble. 

A Step Backward

One of the most controversial changes in Vessel of Hatred is the reduced level cap. It has left many players feeling like they’ve taken a step backward. After grinding your character all the way to level 100 in the base game, this nerf makes that effort feel less rewarding. Players have shared their frustration over the change, mainly because leveling is a core part of Diablo‘s experience.

In Vessel of Hatred, the progression feels slowed. Instead of the usual thrill of reaching new heights of power, you’re left with a sense of stagnation. The new system offers only one attack power per level, which hardly feels satisfying.

For veteran players who invested hundreds of hours into perfecting their characters, this change feels like a punishment rather than a new challenge. It strips away that feeling of mastery and makes the grind toward higher levels feel less rewarding. If you enjoyed the sense of progression in the base game, this aspect of the expansion is a letdown. Instead of moving forward, Vessel of Hatred leaves you stuck in neutral.

Verdict

Vessel of Hatred brings a mix of highs and lows to the Diablo IV experience. So, should you buy it? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a die-hard Diablo IV fan, there’s still some enjoyment to be found here. The Spirit Borne class is a fun addition with plenty of customization; the cinematics are breathtaking. Additionally, playing through the new zones with friends can be great.

However, if you’re expecting an expansion that rivals the depth of the base game, you might want to hold off. Vessel of Hatred feels more like a content patch with a few extras than a full-fledged expansion. The price tag feels steep, and unless Blizzard adds more substantial updates in the future, it may not justify the cost right now.

In short, if you’re craving new content and are already invested in Diablo IV, give it a try. However, waiting for updates or a discount might be the smarter move if you’re on the fence.