When I first delved into Diablo IV, I immersed myself thoroughly in its world, dedicating a whopping 60 hours to the original campaign during the press review window. My initial review was nearly finalized by the time the embargo was lifted, and I had a genuinely enjoyable experience at launch. I dove headfirst into another 90-plus hours right after the game’s release, reveling in the dark fantasy that the game offers. However, a month down the line, I began to reassess my earlier enthusiasm and questioned why a title that once enthralled me now seemed more of a burden than a joy to engage with. My departure from the game during the Season of Hatred Rising was significant, and it wasn’t until the approaching launch of Vessel of Hatred that I felt compelled to revisit Diablo IV. Instead of rushing to publish another review, I opted to wait a few weeks post-release to provide a clearer perspective as the initial excitement faded.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Windows PC (Reviewed), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PS4, PS5
Release Date: October 7th, 2024
Price: $39.99 USD
Historically, the narrative in the Diablo series hasn’t been its standout feature, but it has consistently maintained a theme steeped in darkness and evil. However, Vessel of Hatred kicks off with a captivating opening cutscene, showcasing Neyrelle grappling with terrifying corruption-induced blackouts. During these harrowing moments, she experiences a vivid vision where Mephisto tears her apart and transforms her into a living Dreamcatcher, an artistic nightmare held captive within him.
The visceral imagery is heightened as she later awakens to horrific reality: the corruption has mercilessly claimed the life of the poor ferryman who was assisting her through the jungle river. Grasping her soulstone tightly, Neyrelle’s plight is the highlight of Vessel of Hatred, as the storyline falters significantly by the mid-point, leaving players to trudge through in hope of a rewarding resolution.
Throughout the campaign of Vessel of Hatred, players are seldom introduced to characters that are developed enough to evoke genuine emotional investment. Despite attempts at heartfelt moments, the narrative fails to create a bond, as any connection to characters feels thin. The introduction of mercenaries has potential, yet the absence of meaningful character development undermines their purpose.
Among them is a smith-turned-mercenary who sacrifices his arm in an effort to save you after you help reunite him with his daughter, but this narrative arc pales in comparison to Raubahn’s storyline in Final Fantasy XIV. The narratives associated with the other three mercenaries are forgettable at best, as they lack depth and significance. Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred revisits familiar faces from Diablo II, but this nostalgia feels forced and shallow, reminiscent of a cash grab rather than a genuine homage, as the iconic scenes presented lack the soul and intricacy that would elevate them.
You might expect a return to Travincal to be met with excitement, especially since Nahantu is merely a rebranded Flayer Jungle, yet it falls disappointingly flat. Visually reminiscent though it may be, it fails to evoke a sense of meaning or importance. Additionally, encounters with minor character cameos are likely lost on the broader player base, especially those less immersed in the lore.
If you happen to remember Meshif at all—or know he somehow survived the events of Diablo IV’s base campaign—you’re not alone in feeling disenchanted. The most disheartening aspect of this expansion is that despite gameplay improvements introduced since Season 3, these enhancements feel entirely independent of the expansion itself. For a price tag of $40, players are presented with a storyline that seems reliant upon the assumption of utilizing the new class, leaving those who choose otherwise feeling like mere spectators in their own experience.
While Diablo IV previously succeeded in maintaining a consistently sinister atmosphere illustrated through its portrayal of Lilith, the introduction of a formidable Inquisitor named Urivar — who rebukes Inarius and ruthlessly sets ablaze a heretic — promised a serious threat. Yet, he inexplicably fades into the background, surfacing only when the order of burned knights appears, relegating Urivar to nothing more than a generic boss encounter that rewards players with transmogs for his mask and sword. It’s a wasted opportunity for character exploration that leaves players longing for substance.
In one of the story’s purportedly tragic moments, a character makes a sacrifice, delivering a heartfelt display of sorrow and regret — tears, sobbing, the whole emotional spectrum. However, the rushed execution of these events renders the moment notably ineffective, as players can’t help but react with a dismissive “aw, that’s sad, anyway.” The narrative lacks gravity, particularly when predictable twists arise, offering no real payoff and instead merely setting the stage for future expansions.
It’s unfortunate, but the story shifts hastily from a dark tone to a somewhat awkward focus on Neyrelle’s mental health, reducing her struggles to a meme-worthy cliché. The narrative ultimately succumbs to the “the real Diablo was the friends we made along the way” trope, urging players to remember that companionship aids mental well-being in times of trouble. While mental health awareness is crucial, this franchise seems a poor fit for such preachy themes, especially considering its foundation within the horror genre, a primary draw for Diablo enthusiasts.
Overall, the expansion aligns somewhat with the established tone of Diablo IV but leaves die-hard fans feeling their intelligence and loyalty to the franchise has been disregarded. The new Spiritborn class offers a fun gameplay experience but comes at the cost of diluting both the Druid and Barbarian identities, creating a mashup that undermines their unique appeal.
A more fitting comparison would be to view the Spiritborn as a hybrid of the Monk and Witch Doctor from Diablo III. Elements from both classes were previously explored among existing characters, resulting in the Spiritborn feeling excessively powerful while also necessitating a complete overhaul of both the Druid and Barbarian classes to restore their individuality.
For $40, players receive a narrative that seems cobbled together by various teams, with only one fraction showcasing genuine familiarity with the Diablo universe, while the rest craft a generic dungeon-crawling story. Compounding this is the overpowered Spiritborn character, which is undeniably enjoyable to play, especially for those who favor melee combat. The novelty of riding a cat alongside myriad minor buffs — which fail to deliver the depth of rune words seen in Diablo II — along with a haphazard multiplayer raid system that clashes with Diablo’s established design, creates a mixed bag of experiences.
The Undercity, a new area reminiscent of Rifts from Diablo III, emerges as the standout feature of the expansion. Although this new locale could justify about half of the price, unless players are solely interested in the new class, paying more than $20 for Vessel of Hatred feels unjustifiable.
Despite Nehantu being visually more engaging than the barren deserts, Blizzard must abandon its MMO-style approach to Diablo. Instead, the game should be crafted more as a single-player dungeon crawler with some online elements, especially considering the additional costs associated with a battle pass — meaning justifying this expansion’s price tag exceeds $20 is increasingly difficult.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred was reviewed on PC via Battle.net using a beta build provided to Niche Gamer by Blizzard Entertainment. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred released for Windows PC (via Steam or Battle.net), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on June 6th, 2023.
**Interview with Gaming Expert on *Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred***
**Interviewer:** Today, we’re joined by [Guest’s Name], a gaming expert who recently delved into *Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred*. Thank you for being here!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me! It’s great to chat about the game.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned dedicating over 90 hours to *Diablo IV* after its original launch. What drew you back into the game for the expansion?
**Guest:** Initially, I was enthralled by the dark fantasy elements and engaging gameplay. After stepping away during the Season of Hatred Rising, I wanted to give *Vessel of Hatred* a fair shot. But I opted to wait a few weeks post-release to gather my thoughts when the excitement had subsided.
**Interviewer:** That’s a thoughtful approach! You noted the expansion starts strong with Neyrelle’s story. Can you elaborate on her character and the narrative’s direction?
**Guest:** Absolutely. Neyrelle’s opening sequence is gripping and sets a dark tone, showcasing her internal struggles with corruption. However, as the narrative progresses, it falters. While her journey has potential, the mid-point loses momentum, and it felt more like a slog than an engaging arc.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like character development was a significant issue for you. Did you find any characters that resonated with you?
**Guest:** Unfortunately, no. Each character introduced, including the mercenaries, lacked the depth that would inspire emotional investment. Their narratives felt thin and didn’t contribute meaningfully to the overarching story. For example, a smith-turned-mercenary had promise, but his arc fell short compared to more resonant tales in other games, like *Final Fantasy XIV*.
**Interviewer:** That’s disappointing to hear. You also touched on the issue of nostalgia with returning characters. Did this enhance the experience at all?
**Guest:** It was nostalgic but in a forced way. Moments that should have felt epic, like revisiting Travincal, ended up feeling hollow. The familiar faces and locations felt more like an attempt to capitalize on nostalgia rather than genuinely expand the universe.
**Interviewer:** The feedback on the new Spiritborn class is intriguing as well. How do you feel it affects gameplay dynamics?
**Guest:** The Spiritborn class is fun but creates this hybrid identity that dilutes what made the Druid and Barbarian unique. It’s like pulling bits from **Diablo III**’s Monk and Witch Doctor without giving them the proper respect or individuality.
**Interviewer:** You made a poignant observation about the narrative’s themes, particularly around mental health. Can you explain that shift for our audience?
**Guest:** Sure! While mental health awareness is important, applying it to *Diablo IV* feels misplaced. The narrative tries to balance dark themes with cliché messages about friendship and well-being. Instead of enhancing the horror atmosphere that fans expect, it awkwardly pulls focus to a more light-hearted, meme-like take on character struggles.
**Interviewer:** given your experiences, do you think *Vessel of Hatred* met expectations for die-hard fans?
**Guest:** I think it leaves a lot to be desired. The gameplay enhancements are there, but they come off as independent of the expansion’s story, which feels disjointed and lacks the depth we’d hope for at a $40 price point. It’s somewhat of a missed opportunity to deliver a truly memorable sequel in the *Diablo* franchise.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights! It sounds like while *Vessel of Hatred* has its highlights, it may not fully satisfy the expectations of long-time fans.
**Guest:** Exactly! Appreciate the conversation today. It’s vital for gamers to engage critically with these beloved franchises.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, [Guest’s Name]. It’s certainly a lot to consider as players dive into the new expansion!
