What you need to know
- Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred launched on October 8 and has received mixed reactions to its story ending, which centers around the Prime Evil, Mephisto. (Second warning: Do not read further if you haven’t finished the expansion!)
- During the review period, the developers held a Q&A with us and other outlets about the game and its story. They revealed that they are considering the ‘Harbinger of Hatred’ as a new Tormented Boss.
- The developers also shared plans for the future of the story involving Mephisto, which may address some fans’ concerns about the ending.
As a seasoned Diablo fanatic with over two decades of slaying demons under my belt, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension regarding the decision to delay the full-fledged Mephisto showdown in Diablo IV. I’ve been through this song and dance before, and while it’s intriguing that the developers are choosing to build the story over multiple releases, I can’t help but wonder about my wallet’s health during these times.
If you’ve completed the Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred expansion, you might find yourself with several questions about its ending. Rest assured, you’re not the only one. Many gamers were surprised that an expansion focused on Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, didn’t end in a battle against him, but rather his Harbinger. Although the fight against the Harbinger was intense, it left many fans craving more.
The Harbinger of Hatred
In a Discord conversation, someone enquired if the Mephisto battle in Diablo 4 would have a similar format to the Uber version (like what Lilith offers). Colin Finer, the lead live designer for Diablo 4, replied:
At the time of Vessel of Hatred’s launch, the Uber Mephisto battle won’t be playable. However, we’re actively exploring ways to grow our roster of Tormented Bosses, with Mephisto’s Harbinger being a highly anticipated fight that we aim to reinstate. This fight is high on our priority list.
In the hierarchy of Bosses in Diablo 4, you’ll encounter characters like Varshan, Grigoire, Lord Zir, Beast in the Ice, Andariel, and Duriel. These formidable adversaries are ideal for target farming Uniques due to their high drop rates of Mythic Uniques, the most elusive loot within the game.
Is there a chance we might encounter the Harbinger of Hatred on the Boss Roster, complete with its own set of Unique item drops? Or could it follow in Uber Lilith’s footsteps, serving as a challenging final battle that grants players a special reward? Only time will tell.
It’s time to talk about that ending
As a devoted fan, just like Jez Corden, I’ve shared the same puzzlement about the ending of Diablo 4’s first expansion. In our Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, we expressed our confusion as Mephisto seems to have regained his power and control over Sanctuary, only now he’s free from the Soulstone and roaming the world disguised as Akarat. It was a captivating scene, but it felt more like a stepping stone than a definitive conclusion.
Brent Gibson, serving as Game Director, remarked, “Initially, we decided it was crucial to unfold Mephisto’s tale across numerous releases. The thrill lies in gradually developing such an intriguing character over a more extended duration. Often in games, character growth is hastened due to time constraints when telling the story. What sets a live game apart is our ability to progressively expand the narrative over several expansions, thereby making the character more layered and significant. This is simply another installment of his ongoing tale.
For the second point, A well-crafted narrative should take its time reaching the finale, making the anticipation thrilling and significant. Some captivating stories end with a cliffhanger, gradually escalating tension towards an epic resolution. This is the kind of suspense we aim to create as we reveal Mephisto’s destiny.
For the last, we have big plans for the continuation of the story going forward. One of the things I am looking forward to seeing is how the return of Mephisto impacts Sanctuary as a whole. As we lead up to future releases we want to see threads of continuity from season to season. You see this already with the Realm Walker spreading hatred and corruption in season six. These are some of the things you can expect and it shows you that the spread of Mephisto’s influence goes well beyond just Nahantu.”
To be continued…
Here it is: In summary, if you found the ending of Vessel of Hatred to be sudden and lacking resolution, that was a deliberate decision. Unlike previous Diablo games such as Diablo 2 and its expansions where everything wrapped up with a climactic final battle, the developers of Diablo 4 are taking a more strategic approach by expanding Mephisto’s story over time, rather than concluding it all at once.
I’m on board with extending Mephisto’s narrative, but I have concerns about the possibility of having to spend $40 for each new installment of the story. If there’s a chance we could get less expensive, story-focused expansions instead, that would be more appealing, given Diablo 4 has earned Blizzard over $1 billion, with a significant chunk coming from microtransactions. Regardless, I’m eager to watch how this current plot unfolds further.
During the Vessel of Hatred campaign, there were several hints or clues that didn’t seem to lead anywhere conclusive, but I’m optimistic they will be delved into further in future updates. For instance, what is the significance of us having Lilith’s blood within us? And why didn’t Prava exhibit more uncertainty about her beliefs following her experiences with Inarius in Hell? Perhaps these unanswered questions will be clarified in upcoming episodes or expansions.
For the time being, an exciting event called Meat or Treat is scheduled for October 29th that we can anticipate. Meanwhile, the Book of Prava is now up for pre-order and will be shipped on November 19th. This book could offer additional understanding about the events in Vessel of Hatred and potential future developments.
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2024-10-24 15:09