Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is an expansion that refines and expands upon the established Diablo universe. While retaining the core hack-n-slash gameplay, this DLC introduces several novel features that deepen and broaden the overall experience. Long-time fans will find both familiar elements and engaging new challenges.
News and Changes
Vessel of Hatred transports players to the dense jungle of Nahantu, a region of striking beauty and peril. The environments, inspired by Mayan culture, offer a visually impressive experience with detailed temples and pyramids. As Panasonic is the official image partner for Diablo IV, experiencing these environments rendered in HDR on our reference-OLED Panasonic MZ2000 was particularly noteworthy. (We tested the expansion on PS5, and Diablo IV—and, presumably, Vessel of Hatred—appears well-positioned for enhancements on the anticipated PS5 Pro.) The new class, Spiritborn, is a hybrid archetype blending shamanistic and barbarian traits, allowing players to combine physical combat with elemental abilities. With access to four distinct spirit animals, the Spiritborn offers a wide range of build possibilities.
The introduction of mercenaries represents another key addition, adding strategic depth to gameplay. These companions can fight alongside you and activate specific abilities, providing players with more tactical options in combat. Furthermore, the return of runes allows for further customization and enhancement of equipment.
The Campaign and Story in Vessel of Hatred
Vessel of Hatred‘s narrative picks up directly after the events of Diablo IV, tasking the player with pursuing Neyrelle and the soulstone she carries. The expansion offers approximately 12 hours of gameplay, featuring dramatic sequences and character development. While the story presents compelling moments, some sections feel somewhat rushed or incomplete, potentially leaving players wanting more.
Despite these shortcomings, the expansion introduces a more nuanced perspective to the Diablo universe. The character relationships provide a contrast to the overall dark theme, enhancing the impact of the game’s more intense moments. This shift in tone could appeal to both veteran and new players.
Game Mechanics and Technical Implementation
While retaining the core mechanics of Diablo IV, Blizzard has implemented improvements to the game’s loot system. The expansion features more creatively designed items, encouraging players to experiment with diverse character builds and strategies. The addition of mercenaries and runes introduces further complexity, though these features could benefit from further refinement.
Unfortunately, the overall experience is affected by technical issues, including bugs and performance degradation compared to the base game. These problems can disrupt gameplay and negatively impact the player experience. While future patches are anticipated to address these issues, the review is based on the game’s state at the time of writing.
Conclusion Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred represents a worthwhile expansion, building upon the core elements that define the Diablo series while integrating new features to refresh the experience. It will be a welcome addition for dedicated fans, though there remains room for improvement, particularly regarding technical performance and certain narrative aspects. Despite these reservations, the expansion effectively captures the series’ signature dark atmosphere, making it a recommendable purchase, though the price point should be considered.
Activision Blizzard provided a review code for this game. The provision of review material does not influence our editorial process.
