Vessel of Hatredthe first expansion of Diablo IV, will bring fans back to the Kurast region. A place that will bring back memories to those who played Diablo II.
We now know the name of the very first extension of Diablo IV : it will be called Vessel of Hatred and will be available at the end of next year, apparently around the sixth season. Blizzard remained discreet during the officialization, contenting itself with a teaser showing a glimpse of the new region. This, in reality, will not be so “new”: the story of Vessel of Hatred will take place in Kurast, which fans of Diablo II know well.
We will also have the opportunity to come face to face with Mephisto, one of the primordial demons that we already face in Diablo II. With these two elements, everything suggests that Diablo IV will pay homage to the second opus of the saga, and one of the most appreciated. To confirm this feeling, Numerama asked David Rodriguez and Brent Gibson, associate creative director and associate game director respectively, during BlizzCon 2023. They noted that Vessel of Hatred will echo elements of the past, while bringing in more modern elements.
“ There will be nostalgia » in the extension of Diablo IV
“ What I love about this game, or rather with this franchise, because it has really become a franchise, is that the universe is very deep. And we do not hesitate to draw inspiration from each element that constitutes it », confides Brent Gibson, about the parallel with Diablo II.
He does not see Vessel of Hatred like a pure love letter “, rather like a ” love note “. There will necessarily be things that will bring back memories to the most knowledgeable aficionados. “ We will balance between the new and the old (…). There will be nostalgia, but also a new vision », adds David Rodriguez.
“ Those familiar with the universe know that Kurast is an important location in Diablo II and for Mephisto’s Soul Stone. In terms of history, going back there makes a lot of sense. For us, it’s a natural extension “, confides Brent Gibson. And David Rodriguez adds that “ this is the place we need to go to continue the plot “. As Mephisto will be the main antagonist of Vessel of Hatred, it is normal to go to Kurast, the place where his soul stone was taken after his first defeat.
“ We will revisit some emblematic places of Kurast », Promises Brent Gibson, with a Diablo IV which will allow you to go further in the exploration. For example, we should be able to find out what’s under and around the massive temple seen in the trailer — which fans of Diablo II quickly recognized. On the other hand, Blizzard did not want to give a size for this zone, nor say how it will be integrated into what we already know about it. Diablo IV.
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