My pet demon is far stronger than I intended, and sometimes I am not sure he even needs me. He is simply the unnamed brute that appears whenever I press the Rampage button, smashing everything while I clean up the stragglers. In this Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred review, I explore how this expansion reshapes the action RPG experience.

Need to Know

  • What is it? An expansion featuring two new classes, a new campaign, and a major systems refresh.
  • Release date: April 28, 2026
  • Price: $39.99
  • Developer/Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • Steam Deck: Verified
  • Tested on: RTX 5090, Intel Core i9 12900K, 32GB RAM

The Gameplay Impact: A Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred Review

This expansion tricked me into playing a summoner archetype that usually puts me to sleep. I typically prefer being solely responsible for my own big damage numbers rather than relying on a no-name brute ripped from hell.

However, I grew to enjoy taking the backseat while cursing enemies and setting them up for my demon friend. Lord of Hatred loosens up Diablo 4's restrictive skill trees while giving them more power than ever before.

Mastering the Warlock Class

As I carved through the islands of Skovos, I found dozens of ways to support my demon. My build was firing on all cylinders long before I hit the level cap or entered the post-campaign playground—something I haven't experienced in years.

For the first time in a long time, I crafted a devastating build without needing to grind for ultra-rare gear after the campaign ended. Once I learned the language of the new Warlock class, I could look at piles of loot and know exactly how each piece could bring me closer to becoming an unstoppable god.

A Final Stand for Sanctuary

The expansion provides a level of finality regarding its villains that Diablo games rarely achieve. While Vessel of Hatred used a demon as a metaphor for self-doubt, this installment focuses on the personal stakes and the characters themselves.

The Prophet's Deception

In this part of the Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred review, I must mention Mephisto. Disguised as a prophet, he convinces crowds that he will save them from the horrors of Sanctuary by performing miracles.

The campaign is paced by an imminent eclipse and moves quickly through its roughly six-hour runtime. It focuses on island-hopping and monster-slaying as players attempt to find a permanent way to stop Mephisto's plan.

Resolving the Lore

Lord of Hatred is clearly about the final confrontation with Mephisto, but it also provides resolution to larger questions in the series lore. The writing uses familiar faces, like the bitter scholar Lorath Nahr, to wield nostalgia effectively. This Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred review finds that Blizzard has successfully tied together its improvements into a deeply rewarding experience.