This has been a busy first year for Diablo IV. After a rocky start (a tradition that notoriously befell its predecessor), its reputation has improved significantly thanks to radical changes to core gameplay elements and significant revisions to the endgame. Its implementation of time-limited seasons is a big improvement on Diablo III’s ‘start again’ incentive, with much more complex systems and storylines.

And now, just like those forerunners did, Diablo IV will broaden its scope with the introduction of an expansion pack. Set in a new jungle environment called Nahantu, Vessel Of Hatred continues the campaign story while adding features (some new and some returning) from previous games.

Mercenaries are back, with four NPCs bringing individual skills to the party; runewords will also return, enabling players to customise their avatar with skills that would normally be exclusive to other classes. A brand-new class joins the roster (a versatile, nature-infused warrior called the Spiritborn) while the Dark Citadel is a multi-part dungeon for teams of two to four players to conquer on a weekly basis. With the base game currently settled, these new features should help mix things up nicely.

Diablo IV: Vessel Of Hatred is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox X/S.