Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, the first major expansion for Diablo IV, takes the dark, gothic world of Sanctuary to new heights by expanding on both the story and gameplay.

With the return of Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, as the primary antagonist, players will experience an increasingly malevolent world filled with new zones, dungeons, and enemies. One of the most exciting additions in this expansion is the introduction of the Spiritborn, a new playable class that adds a unique blend of primal magic and nature-based abilities to the game.

The Spiritborn: Masters of Nature’s Warriors

The Spiritborn class is the highlight of Vessel of Hatred, bringing a new and distinct playstyle to Diablo IV. Unlike other classes, the Spiritborn draws its power from the natural world and ancient animal spirits. Rather than traditional spellcasting or weapon-based combat, the Spiritborn utilizes creature warriors—summoning powerful animal spirits like a jaguar, gorilla, centipede, and eagle to fight on their behalf.

The Spiritborn’s strength lies in its ability to command these powerful animal forms, each with unique abilities and roles in combat. This class is all about channeling the primal energy of nature, making it a versatile and adaptive combatant. Here’s a breakdown of the Spiritborn’s key creature warriors:

• Jaguar: The jaguar is a fast, stealthy predator that excels at single-target damage. It can quickly pounce on enemies, delivering lethal blows with swift precision. This creature is perfect for those who want to focus on burst damage and quick, agile movement.
• Gorilla: Acting as the Spiritborn’s tank, the gorilla is a massive, hulking creature capable of absorbing large amounts of damage. It also has crowd control abilities, able to stun and knock back enemies, making it ideal for players who want to be in the thick of the battle, drawing attention away from allies or dealing heavy melee damage.
• Centipede: The centipede is a master of control and poison-based attacks. It slithers through enemies, leaving behind toxic trails and inflicting area-of-effect (AoE) damage over time. This creature warrior is ideal for players who want to weaken groups of enemies from a distance and deal sustained damage.
• Eagle: The eagle serves as a swift, aerial attacker that specializes in ranged damage. It swoops down on enemies from above, launching powerful strikes while also offering buffs or healing to the Spiritborn and allies. It’s a great choice for those who prefer hit-and-run tactics or providing support in group play.

Playstyle and Abilities

The Spiritborn’s gameplay revolves around summoning and controlling these creature warriors, which can be used either individually or in combination, allowing players to adapt to different combat scenarios. Each creature warrior can be enhanced and modified through skill trees, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to suit their preferences. For example, players may choose to invest in the jaguar’s mobility and damage for high single-target damage or increase the gorilla’s durability to tank for the team.

Story: Mephisto’s Dark Return

The expansion’s story centers on the resurgence of Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, who seeks to corrupt Sanctuary and spread chaos. His influence can be seen across the new zones, twisting the landscape and driving the denizens of Sanctuary to madness. As players delve deeper into Mephisto’s plans, they uncover ancient lore tied to the Spiritborn’s origin and their deep connection to the natural world. The Spiritborn play a pivotal role in the fight against Mephisto, as their unique ability to harness the primal forces of nature makes them one of the few capable of combating Mephisto’s corrupting influence.

The story is filled with dark twists and haunting imagery, taking players through emotionally charged areas of Sanctuary that reflect the chaos of Mephisto’s influence. From cursed forests overrun with corrupted beasts to desecrated temples where hatred festers, the expansion’s narrative offers plenty of lore for dedicated fans of the series while delivering a powerful, immersive experience.

New Zones and Exploration

Vessel of Hatred introduces a new zones, each plagued by Mephisto’s growing power. The Last Bazaar is one of the most visually striking areas, a sprawling wilderness where nature and corruption clash. This region is home to many Spiritborn-related quests and serves as a proving ground for their abilities. Here, players will encounter corrupted wildlife, twisted by Mephisto’s dark magic, forcing the Spiritborn to use their connection to pure nature to restore balance.

The attention to environmental detail in Vessel of Hatred is excellent. The expansion creates a world that feels as hostile as it is beautiful, with the primal forces of nature struggling to survive against the creeping hatred of Mephisto. The zones are not just larger, but more interactive, with dynamic world events and challenges tied to the ongoing battle between nature and corruption.

Visuals and Atmosphere

Visually, Vessel of Hatred maintains the dark, brooding aesthetic of Diablo IV, with an even greater emphasis on nature and its corruption. The Spiritborn’s abilities are beautifully animated, with each creature warrior exuding personality and power. The fluid transitions between summoning and directing these creatures keep combat visually engaging and dynamic.

The environments are a stunning mix of foreboding landscapes and eerie beauty. From dense, overgrown forests to crumbling ruins, each zone reflects the battle between the natural world and Mephisto’s destructive power. The haunting soundtrack and atmospheric sound design further immerse players into the expanding darkness of Sanctuary.

Conclusion

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is a must-play expansion that successfully builds on the foundation of Diablo IV with new, exciting content and a fresh, innovative class. The Spiritborn adds a unique twist to the game’s existing classes, providing a primal, nature-based playstyle that is both versatile and satisfying. The expansion’s story, new zones, and endgame content offer plenty of challenge and depth for both new players and long-time fans of the series.

9

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred review code provided by publisher and reviewed on a PS5 and PC. For more information on scoring, please read What our review scores really mean.