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Game Information​

Game Title: Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
Platforms:

• PC (Oct 8, 2024)
• Xbox One (Oct 8, 2024)
• PlayStation 4 (Oct 8, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Oct 8, 2024)
• Xbox Series X/S (Oct 8, 2024)

Trailer:

• Diablo IV | Vessel of Hatred | Official Release Date Trailer

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 86 average - 96% recommended - 18 reviews

MetaCritic - 85 average - Based on 12 Reviews

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Critic Reviews​

Atarita - Alparslan Gürlek - Turkish - 85 / 100

Vessel of Hatred blends the intense gameplay of the new class, the Spiritborn, with an ethereal adventure story and exquisite narrative. Definitely a great expansion.

CGMagazine - Brendan Frye - 9 / 10

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to return to Sanctuary, Vessel of Hatred is it. Just be ready to lose countless hours to its addictive gameplay and immersive world. The forces of Hell await, and they’ve never looked so good.

COGconnected - Mark Steighner - 85 / 100

Vessel of Hatred’s campaign, new region, new class, and new cooperative dungeon all significantly extend the base game’s appeal and depth. If you don’t already enjoy the near-constant, frenetic, often exhilarating, sometimes exhausting combat, Vessel of Hatred isn’t going to win you over no matter how impressive it often is.

Console Creatures - David Pietrangelo - 9 / 10

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred is a full-fledged, well oiled machine of darkness! This is a true, epic expansion that adds a ton of great content to Diablo 4 including a fun new class and world events.

Destructoid - Steven Mills - 9 / 10

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred has Diablo 4 in its best form yet.

Dexerto - Ethan Dean - 4 / 5

Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion offers a compelling new narrative for fans looking to continue the base game’s story. The new Spiritborn class is a joy to behold, and new features like Mercenaries and Runewords are a welcome addition, adding elements from older games that fans have missed.

GRYOnline.pl - Hubert Sosnowski - Polish - 7 / 10

Despite some issues (jamming MMO into the gameplay, uneven campaign, some technical issues) I had fun for most of the time. It’s mostly due to evolution and upgrades from all the seasons, but Vessel of Hatred introduces a solid amount of good stuff. Still, it will not cure all Diablo 4’s ailments – you have to wait for updates and fixes.

Gamer Guides - Nathan Garvin - 87 / 100

Improved mechanics, polished gameplay and the introduction of the Spiritborn makes Vessel of Hatred the best version of Diablo IV to date.

Gamer Social Club - Kyle Parsons - 8.5 / 10

The short of it is that Vessel of Hatred was full of content, both campaign and endgame. A thoroughly fun and interesting story addition to the base game, with what seemed to me, was more polished graphics (even conduit shrines seemed to pop out at you). The Spirtborn was extremely fun to play, and that’s putting it mildly. The amount of meta builds that are going to come out of the new class might outnumber all the other classes combined. All in all, a great expansion, worth picking up day 1.

INVEN - Jaihoon Jeong - Korean - 8 / 10

For over a year, Diablo 4 has been striving to understand the hearts of gamers, and this expansion pack is its first test. While there are positive changes in many areas, it still doesn't seem to have fully created a sense of connection with the players.

Press Start - Harry Kalogirou - 8.5 / 10

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is fantastic albeit safe expansion to the already excellent Diablo IV. It's continuation of the story benefits from tighter pacing and a novel concept, all of which is bolstered by a unique new class and distinct region to explore. Coupled with some great new endgame content, and Vessel of Hatred is bound to please Diablo casual and hardcore players alike.

Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 5 / 5

While the campaign ends on a cliffhanger, there’s going to be continuity in all the endgame activities until what will likely be another expansion. In a lot of ways, this feels like a whole new game; as this expansion brings so many new and different things with it, from revamping the difficulties to adding co-op dungeons, a new class, and even a new season. There’s so much to do and see, Diablo IV is going to take over your life once again. I love the ride that Vessel of Hatred goes on, as it continues from where Diablo IV left off, only to build and improve on itself for a hellishly good time.

Seasoned Gaming - Ainsley Bowden - 9 / 10

Vessel of Hatred is superb. With new content and foundational updates, it represents the most fun, approachable, and deepest version of Diablo 4 to date.

Sirus Gaming - Kimberly Mae Go - 9 / 10

Blizzard’s Vessel of Hatred brings an exciting mix of new content and quality-of-life improvements, plus the introduction of the Spiritborn class make it a must-play for fans of the franchise.

TechRaptor - Austin Suther - 9 / 10

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred introduces a wide array of new content and changes, most, if not all of which enhance the experience for the better. The story doesn't quite reach the same highs as the base campaign, but the new class and lots of endgame content should keep players coming back.

The Nerd Stash - Jordan Moyer - 10 / 10

If you bounced off Diablo 4 at launch, there's never been a better time to jump in. If you already liked or loved D4, the Vessel of Hatred adds another notch to Blizzard's history of creating exquisite and transformative expansions.

Total Gaming Network - Shawn Zipay - 5 / 5

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred isn't just the best that Diablo 4 has ever been, it feels like it could be the best Diablo as a whole has ever been.

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 7.8 / 10

Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred has a great start, mediocre middle, and frustrating ending. The Spiritborn class is a fantastic addition, along with the new Mercenary system. At $40 if you’re in it for the story you may come out as frustrated as I am, but if gameplay is all you care about then there’s a lot to love.

 

[V1LÆM]

.

 

[Aguero9320]

All I was waiting for to see the review scores before buying. Haven't even read them and that's good enough for me.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

TLDR: it’s more of the same. You liked D4, you will like this.

 

[V1LÆM]

.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

that's the entire point of an expansion but thanks for the explanation.

Not always, but I don’t think modern Blizzard can do better.

 

[Yoshichan]

that's the entire point of an expansion but thanks for the explanation.

Nope. There were people that disliked D2 and consider LOD to be among the best.

 

[splattered]

Better scores than i expected for DLC.... nice

 

[Mortisfacio]

Game looks promising. For anyone who bought D4, but on the fence about the expansion, try playing the current iteration of endgame content if you haven't played since launch. It's far improved from release. This expansion just adds to that further with a few new endgame content routes, new class and mercenaries.

 

[Jaybe]

Saw this from Windows Central. Not sure if that widely held view from other reviews, but that would be annoying.

Just as the story starts to ramp up, it ends quite abruptly, leaving you with the sour taste of knowing you'll need to pay up another $50 next year to find out the conclusion.

 

[T4keD0wN]

Cliffhanger ending again? Bummer, dont care one bit about any content past the campaign, but it seems like its what the majority wants, ill play it once its on gamepass in few years or something.

 

[adamsapple]

Reviewing pretty decently, will pick it up when it's on sale.

Haven't replayed DIV since it came out originally last year so no idea about all the changes they've made over the last 12+ months.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

Nope. There were people that disliked D2 and consider LOD to be among the best.

Yup. Peak LoD was 1.08-1.09 God, those days were golden age on PC, for me.

 

[amigastar]

I hope the base game get a good chunk of improvements as well since i'm not gonna buy the expansion for now.

 

[Emppu666]

Cmapaign - how long?

 

[Pey.]

It's a 7.5/10 for me. The expansion itself doens't have enough content to justify the $40 and the story is very weak.

Review with 4K screenshots @ Ultra with RT > https://www.pcmrace.com/2024/10/04/diablo-iv-vessel-of-hatred-review-pc/

 

[adamsapple]

Cmapaign - how long?

Reportedly ~12 hours.

edit: the URL is dead for some reason but it's the top result on google.

https://www.pcgamesn.com/Best-WW2-games-Company-of-Heroes-2---Ardennes-Assault

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Reviews looking good. Gonna pick it up once I'm done with Metaphor which is probably sometime in December lol.

 

[NickFire]

I’m getting it, no doubt at all. One of my favorite games the past year.

 

[adamsapple]

Reviews looking good. Gonna pick it up once I'm done with Metaphor which is probably sometime in December lol.

And Ys' Nordics and DA: Veilguard

There's a handful of massive RPG's still left in the year.

 

[Mortisfacio]

I’m getting it, no doubt at all. One of my favorite games the past year.

They turned the game around faster than I expected. D2 became great with LoD. D3 became much better with RoS. I expected D4 to be bad until the first expansion, but I'd say the game finally got to a "good" state by season 4. Everything after being a hopeful improvement from there. I don't think there'd be a negative bias against this game if it launched in the state of Season 4.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

And Ys' Nordics and DA: Veilguard

There's a handful of massive RPG's still left in the year.

Agreed, there are still quite a few big RPGs releasing this fall, yet so little time to play them...

I'm hoping to finish both Metaphor and Persona 3 Reload by the end of the year and sneak in LiS: Double Exposure and this new D4 expansion as a JRPG palate cleanser lol.

Edit: Oh and yeah, I've been playing quite a bit of Diablo 4 since it launched last year...

 

[jimmypython]

glad to see a good review. I will get it eventually, mostly because I still prefer D2's loot system.

 

[Antwix]

Wow those are some good reviews. Looking forward to it day 1 to kill mephisto (maybe? idk)

 

[Vyse]

Wow those are some good reviews. Looking forward to it day 1 to kill mephisto (maybe? idk)

Much higher than I thought. Excited to jump back in.

 

[Vyse]

Agreed, there are still quite a few big RPGs releasing this fall, yet so little time to play them...

I'm hoping to finish both Metaphor and Persona 3 Reload by the end of the year and sneak in LiS: Double Exposure and this new D4 expansion as a JRPG palate cleanser lol.

Edit: Oh and yeah, I've been playing quite a bit of Diablo 4 since it launched last year...

So many games, so little time my friend.

 

[dmaul1114]

I enjoyed the campaign in Diablo 4, but this looks like a pass for me, for now anyway.

I just can’t get into the end game in these games (any service game really, just to repetitive and lacking in story content) and doesn’t seem remotely worth the price just to play through the campaign once.

 

[Little Chicken]

Great reviews for BRAND NEW CONTENT!

Not just some stale 20 year old re-release with new graphics.

Well done, Microsoft!

 

[clarky]

Great reviews for BRAND NEW CONTENT!

Not just some stale 20 year old re-release with new graphics.

Well done, Microsoft!

Grow up.

 

[clarky]

Cliffhanger ending again? Bummer, dont care one bit about any content past the campaign, but it seems like its what the majority wants, ill play it once its on gamepass in few years or something.

Base game is already on GP.

Expansions to games usually don't show up at all, so you might be waiting longer than eternity.

 

[Boneless]

Did they fix the progression system so that you actually feel like youre getting stronger rather than weaker?

 

[MikeM]

Another expansion coming? If so, i’ll wait as I always forget the story and how to play but the time DLC drops. Much rather get the full experience at once.

 

[Mossybrew]

TLDR: it’s more of the same. You liked D4, you will like this.

Yup, really all I need to jump back in.

 

[Zathalus]

D4 has improved tremendously since launch, and the expansion is adding quite a number of new features. Is it super deep at the endgame like Path of Exile? Of course not, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s something you hop on with a new season an play for a month before waiting for the next season that catches your eye.

 

[mayham2199]

Agreed, there are still quite a few big RPGs releasing this fall, yet so little time to play them...

I'm hoping to finish both Metaphor and Persona 3 Reload by the end of the year and sneak in LiS: Double Exposure and this new D4 expansion as a JRPG palate cleanser lol.

Edit: Oh and yeah, I've been playing quite a bit of Diablo 4 since it launched last year...

Yea I'll never be able to catch up. In the middle of Daybreak and have over 109 hours so far. Almost done with the plat just have a few more things to do but should be able to get it done tonight. Where I go from here I don't know but after the story heavy game I'm looking for something that's straight gameplay and no more talkie talkie.

 

[TrebleShot]

Can I jump in and complete the campaign now? I bounced off after a few hours.

 

[Rentahamster]

Soulstones are trash, so I'll capture Mephisto in a palsphere and force him to mine stone at my base.

 

[Hot5pur]

I'm seeing several reviews at 5-6 hours just for the story, which is not amazing. The 10-12 hour number seems to be anecdotal but I suppose we can wait for the dust to settle once more reviews are in.

 

[adamsapple]

Grow up.

 

[Mr Hyde]

This game will rock out with its cock out when it's complete with all expansions and patches.

 

[phant0m]

lowkey D4 is probably the best blizz game since OG Overwatch

 

[Themacabre]

Did they fix the progression system so that you actually feel like youre getting stronger rather than weaker?

Nope, strongest you will feel and most fun you will have is level 6

 

[grvg]

Wow, I had no idea this was even in the works. Talk about surprises. I'm extremely proud of myself for being this unaware of blizzards current endeavors.

 

[Codeblew]

Great reviews for BRAND NEW CONTENT!

Not just some stale 20 year old re-release with new graphics.

Well done, Microsoft!

Going to play it on my PS5 Pro. You mad?

 

[KrisB]

Already preordered. Really impressive scores, looking forward to trying the Spiritborn class.

 

[clarky]

lowkey D4 is probably the best blizz game since OG Overwatch

Its the only game they released since Overwatch so that wouldn't be hard.

 

[Nydius]

Another expansion coming? If so, i’ll wait as I always forget the story and how to play but the time DLC drops. Much rather get the full experience at once.

If you want the "full experience", you're going to be waiting a long, long time. Back in September 2023, Rod Fergusson stated that Blizzard's plan for Diablo 4 is to follow the Destiny 2 model: Annual expansions with quarterly content drops for several years. Tyrael only knows when we'll actually get around to seeing the franchise's namesake. Another year? Three years? Five years?

 

[xVodevil]

Not sure about the new class yet, but yeah not like I'm gonna stop playing another few hundred hours now.

 

[Xenon]

Just like with Bethesda games, you only buy Diablo games after they come out with the final edition, with the expansions and patches. The day one road is it painful roller coaster.

 

[clarky]

Just like with Bethesda games, you only buy Diablo games after they come out with the final edition, with the expansions and patches. The day one road is it painful roller coaster.

All GAAS are a rollercoaster, its just the nature of the beast. Even well established titles have stinker seasons and patches that miss the mark.

There likely won't be a "final edition" of this game for quite a few years(if at all), by that time you'd have missed out on a lot no doubt.

BGS are different as their titles are not generally considered GAAS (Starfield, Elderscrolls, FO etc) and you wont miss much by waiting for a final edition.