Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review

Vessel of Hate is a reason to return to Sanctuary. Maybe you’ve never needed one; If you’re a seasonal hunter who’s spent the last 16 months gleefully wiping out the tides of hell, then it’s best to just look at the first Diablo 4 expansion as something you already love. But what I’ve discovered in the time since Lilith was killed (for the first time) is that my lust for blood doesn’t last forever. The way developer Blizzard Entertainment updated, experimented, and communicated this live service model was fascinating – but not for me. I need a hook, a clear goal to direct my attention.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred offers just that. A new chapter follows the spread of corruption south of the Kehjistan border into the lush lands of Nahantu – a region sealed off from the mainland for centuries and now withering as Neyrelle passes through it as a sealed primordial evil spiritual sanctuary. The franchise is expanding with a new class that expands the scope of the game far beyond the carefully constructed archetypes that Blizzard originally wanted to capture. the revival and reinvention of key Diablo 2 systems such as Mercenaries and Runewords, which further Blizzard’s attempts to reconnect past and present; and a series of fundamental changes that build heavily on the successes of Season 4’s Loot Reborn patchwork.

Fear of the dark

(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Fast facts

Release date: October 8, 2024
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
developer: Blizzard Entertainment
editor: Xbox Game Studios
Additionally: Diablo 4 review

If there’s one thing that can be criticized about Blizzard with Diablo 4, it’s that the studio played it a little safe with its initial spending on classes – such was the desire to return to the traditions that underpinned the series’ previous successes lay. This could have been continued in Vessel of Hatred by introducing a Paladin, Monk or Crusader archetype, but what we got instead is something far more ambitious. The Spirtborn is a formidable addition to the roster, a martial artist who decimates demonic forces with lightning-fast, dual-handed melee attacks and the mystical synergy of four spirit guardians.

The scope for complex build planning with this new class is honestly a little overwhelming, even now that I’m pushing well past the revised level 60 character level cap and delving into the depths of the Paragon board, I’m always handing out still skill points with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. It’s possible to create powerful Spirtborn class builds whether you prefer direct, area attack, or long-term damage vectors. New effect modifiers in Ferocity (attack speed) and Resolve (damage reduction) are compelling and add even more depth to the powerful class. Spirtborn doesn’t fill the sword and board void in the roster, but I suspect it will appeal to players of all character fantasy disciplines.

Reborn after his fleeting appearance in Diablo 2’s third act, Kurast allows you to venture beyond the city limits into the wider Nahantu region for the first time. It’s another excellent addition, a visually dense and ecologically diverse patchwork of arid deserts and overgrown jungles that’s a joy to explore. After spending the last year moving like a magnet between the sights in Sanctuary, Nahantu offers plenty of reason to get off and wander the wilderness again. Story and side-quest missions are somewhat sparsely distributed, although newly themed dungeon excursions are engaging enough to explore all of the locations.

The promise of the Vessel of Hatred campaign was tied to a reunion with Neyrelle, the Horadrian apprentice who took upon herself the burden of exorcising Mephisto from a shattering Soulstone. Given the implications of such an action and Travincal’s historical importance to the Diablo tapestry, I expected the story to go a little further. Instead, it’s a solid expansion, but lacks the punch or cinematic flair that Blizzard uniquely manages to capture. Still, it’s a welcome reminder of how well-written the characters are in Diablo 4, with Neyrelle reflecting the dwindling hope shared by all who seek refuge beneath the blackened skies of the Sanctuary, while the Wanderer is a friendly, reassuring presence who A light in the darkness gives orbit to all who stumble in it.

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hate

(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

“Mercenaries bring a new dynamic to combat that is easy to recognize.”

A bigger draw than the Vessel of Hatred campaign itself is the addition of mercenaries. These co-adventurers fall somewhere between the disposable nature of Diablo 2’s hirelings and the complexity of Diablo 3’s henchmen, easing the burden of exploring Nahantu alone – which is particularly helpful given the world level and enemy density implications for this expansion were greatly increased. Mercenaries are recruited throughout the main quest and have a skill tree that expands as you build a relationship through ongoing adventures. They bring new dynamics to the fight that are easy to recognize. However, the addition of a Party Finder matchmaking system also means that it’s easier than ever to team up with other players looking for companionship in Sanctuary.

I’m less impressed with the return of runewords, which temporarily improve elements like movement speed and skill effectiveness. These effects are activated by placing one of 17 Runes of Ritual into an item socket along with one of 28 Runes of Summoning, with impact triggered once certain conditions are met. It’s a nice concept and there are lots of combinations, but I struggled to feel the results. Likewise, a new multi-stage time attack dungeon in Kurast Undercity is a fun diversion, but doesn’t offer the same repeatable thrills as the core set of more defined dungeons and world events scattered across Nahantu.

Diablo 4 is doing really well right now and Vessel of Hatred will only increase its appeal. If this is the model for future expansions, then I’m confident that Blizzard will be able to maintain the momentum going forward. At least I hope that’s the case. The influence that the Lord of Hate has on Sanctuary eventually grows stronger.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred was reviewed on Xbox Series X, with code provided by the publisher.

Fear of the dark

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