Diablo 4 was one of my favorite games last year, so my expectations were sky-high for Vessel of Hatred, Blizzard’s first major expansion for their demon-slaying ARPG. Thankfully, this brutal trek through Nahantu’s fetid jungles and shadowy ruins delivers exactly the kind of chaotic, loot-fueled carnage fans crave—even if it doesn’t quite feel like a full-course meal. While the campaign is disappointingly short, the stellar new Spiritborn class, revamped progression, and Diablo’s first-ever raid activity make this expansion a hellishly good time.
A Story That Feels Like a Prelude
Vessel of Hatred picks up right where Diablo 4’s infuriating cliffhanger left off, with Mephisto’s soulstone in the hands of a mysterious wanderer. Over roughly six hours, you’ll chase the looming threat of the Lord of Hatred’s resurrection—only for the story to abruptly end just as things get interesting. The lore and characters are as gripping as ever (especially the morally ambiguous new NPCs), but the lack of a true climax makes this expansion feel more like setup for something bigger.
Fortunately, the moment-to-moment gameplay is where Vessel of Hatred truly shines.
Refined Combat, Smarter Progression
Blizzard has fine-tuned Diablo 4’s core systems, making this the best the game has ever felt. The leveling curve is now smoother, capping at 60 before transitioning into 300 paragon levels—letting you dive into endgame builds much faster. Rune Words make a triumphant return, adding deeper customization to gear, while the new Kurast Undercity dungeon offers an endlessly replayable loot grind.
Not every addition lands perfectly—the Realmwalker event, which involves slowly escorting a lumbering beast before finally killing it, is a snooze—but exploring Nahantu’s lush, danger-filled landscapes never gets old.
The Spiritborn: Diablo’s Most Flexible Class Yet
The real star of Vessel of Hatred is the Spiritborn, a tribal warrior who channels the power of spectral guardians. Each spirit—whether the tanky Gorilla, the lightning-fast Jaguar, the teleporting Eagle, or my personal favorite, the poison-spewing Centipede—radically alters your playstyle. The best part? You can freely mix and match abilities, allowing for near-endless experimentation.
This modularity makes the Spiritborn one of the most dynamic classes in Diablo history. Unlike rigid builds for Barbarians or Sorcerers, the Spiritborn lets you pivot from an unkillable tank to a glass cannon DPS monster with just a few skill swaps.
Dark Citadel: Diablo’s Best Endgame Yet
The expansion’s crown jewel is the Dark Citadel, Diablo 4’s first true raid activity. Teaming up with three other players, you’ll battle through multi-stage boss fights, solve environmental puzzles, and fend off relentless demon hordes. While the mechanics aren’t as complex as something like Destiny 2’s raids, the sheer chaos and coordination required make this Diablo’s most exhilarating endgame experience yet.
Thankfully, Blizzard has finally added Party Finder, making it easier than ever to squad up—though it’s baffling this feature took so long to arrive.
A Few Demons in the Details
Vessel of Hatred isn’t without its flaws. The expansion launched with more bugs than a Swarm Host’s nest—quests breaking, NPCs duplicating, bosses becoming invincible—though none were game-breaking. (One hilarious glitch even let my friends and me power-level absurdly fast. Thanks, Mephisto?)
Verdict: A Hell of a Good Time, But Incomplete
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred is a fantastic expansion that improves nearly every aspect of the base game. The Spiritborn is a masterclass in class design, the Dark Citadel sets a new bar for Diablo endgame, and the streamlined progression makes grinding more rewarding than ever.
But the rushed story and lack of a true climax hold it back from greatness. This feels like the first half of something bigger—a bloody, brilliant appetizer before the main course.
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