Vessel of Hatred is a reason to return to Sanctuary. Perhaps you never needed one; if you're a seasonal slayer who spent the past 16 months gleefully extinguishing helltides, then the first Diablo 4 expansion is best viewed simply enough as more of something you already love. But what I've discovered in the stretch of time since Lilith was (first) felled is that my lust for blood isn't eternal. The way in which developer Blizzard Entertainment has updated, experimented, and communicated within this live-service model has been captivating – but it isn't for me. I need a hook, a clear target to focus my attention.
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred provides exactly that. A new chapter tracks the spread of corruption south of the Kehjistan border, into the lush lands of Nahantu – a region sealed off from the mainland for centuries, wilting now as Neyrelle walks a sealed Prime Evil through this spiritual sanctuary. A fresh new class is introduced to the franchise, expanding the scope of play well beyond the carefully constructed archetypes Blizzard sought to initially capture; the resurrection and reinvention of key Diablo 2 systems like Mercenaries and Runewords, furthering Blizzard's attempts to reconnect past and present; and a suite of core changes which keenly build on the successes of the season four Loot Reborn patchwork.
