Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Review

The first expansion for Diablo IV, Vessel of Hatred, has arrived on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

After spending roughly 25 hours exploring every corner of the DLC, I'm ready to share my complete thoughts on Diablo IV's first expansion.

I've loved the Diablo franchise since the very first game, and while I enjoyed Diablo IV, I still believe that Diablo and Diablo II represent the peak of the series. Diablo II had the excellent Lord of Destruction expansion, while Diablo III received Reaper of Souls, which many players consider the expansion that “fixed” the game. Throughout my time with Vessel of Hatred, I constantly found myself comparing it to those legendary expansions.

The first half of the expansion is fantastic. However, the odd pacing of events and a cliffhanger ending hurt what is otherwise a solid experience. This review contains no spoilers, or only very minor ones.

Vessel of Hatred new class – Spiritborn

The biggest and best addition in Vessel of Hatred is the new Spiritborn class.

Harnessing the powers of the Gorilla, Eagle, Jaguar, and Centipede spirits, Spiritborn is an incredibly flexible class. I quickly fell in love with two of its aspects, while the other two felt solid but less exciting. I spent most of my time playing as the Centipede, poisoning every demon that crossed my path.

Here's a quick overview of each aspect:

• Gorilla – A powerful tank capable of absorbing massive amounts of damage and protecting the team.
• Jaguar – Fast and aggressive, featuring strong area-of-effect attacks and excellent mobility.
• Eagle – A ranged fighter who utilizes lightning attacks and several AoE abilities.
• Centipede – Focused on poison damage and self-healing with every attack.

Spiritborn Vigor

Spiritborn uses a resource called Vigor, which is generated automatically through basic attacks, similar to the Druid and Barbarian classes.

I played through the campaign on Hard difficulty and thoroughly enjoyed the class's speed and versatility. Jaguar and Centipede were my favorite aspects during the campaign. Since I played solo and couldn't rely on teammates, those two options suited my playstyle perfectly.

The class specialization system allows players to enhance individual aspects. You can combine two different aspects or double down on a single one, creating a huge variety of build possibilities and playstyles.

Nahantu

The new region is called Nahantu and is located in the southwestern part of Sanctuary.

Its endless jungles and swamps evoke memories of Diablo II. While the area isn't particularly breathtaking from a visual standpoint, it fits perfectly within Diablo's dark aesthetic.

The story in Nahantu follows the search for Neyrelle, who fled with Mephisto's Soulstone. Unfortunately, fans of Lorath from the base game won't see much of him beyond the opening sequence. Fortunately, several new characters step in to fill that gap.

The Highs and Lows of the Main Story

The story starts exceptionally strong. The first third of the campaign completely captivated me.

Unfortunately, as the narrative progresses, events begin unfolding at a rapid pace, and the ending feels deeply unsatisfying. It's obvious that this expansion serves as setup for future seasons and expansions, but for a $40 price tag, I expected a more complete story.

A new villain is introduced specifically for this expansion. Unfortunately, I found the character rather uninteresting and somehow far too powerful for someone who isn't one of the Prime Evils.

One of my favorite new features is the Mercenary system.

Mercenaries provide valuable assistance while playing solo, whether through additional damage output or defensive support, depending on which companion you choose.

Tempering System

The Tempering System is one of the most impactful progression features introduced in Diablo IV. It allows players to further customize their Legendary and Unique gear by adding powerful affixes tailored to specific builds. Instead of relying solely on random item drops, Tempering gives players greater control over character progression and build optimization. This system adds another layer of depth to itemization and encourages experimentation with different playstyles.

Undercity Dungeons

Undercity Dungeons are a brand-new activity introduced in Vessel of Hatred. These procedurally generated dungeons provide unique objectives, enemies, and rewards, ensuring that no two runs feel exactly the same. They offer a refreshing alternative to traditional dungeon farming while increasing the game's replayability. For players who enjoy challenging PvE content and hunting for valuable loot, Undercity Dungeons are a welcome addition to the endgame experience.

World Tier System

Blizzard has reworked the World Tier System to provide a smoother progression curve and more meaningful difficulty options. Players can now choose from a wider range of challenge levels, allowing both casual and hardcore audiences to tailor the experience to their preferences. Higher difficulty tiers offer better rewards and increased enemy strength, creating a more satisfying risk-versus-reward balance throughout the game.

Runewords

Runewords make their long-awaited return to the Diablo franchise in Vessel of Hatred. By combining specific runes, players can unlock powerful effects that significantly enhance their characters. The system introduces new build possibilities and allows classes to gain abilities or bonuses that would otherwise be unavailable. While not identical to the Runeword system from Diablo II, this modern interpretation successfully adds another layer of customization and strategic decision-making to character development.

Final Verdict

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred starts strong but ultimately stumbles with a frustrating conclusion. The new Spiritborn class is fun, and the Mercenary system is a welcome addition that significantly improves the solo experience.

If you're primarily interested in Diablo's endgame grind and character progression, you'll like this expansion. However, players who value storytelling may find themselves disappointed by its incomplete narrative and cliffhanger ending.