Should You Buy Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred After IGN’s Review?

Is Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred worth it after IGN’s review?
GAMING NEWS Cleonidas - Apr 21, 2026, 7:56 PM - 46 comments
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After IGN officially awarded it an 8/10 (Great), Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred has quickly become a hot topic among ARPG fans. But what makes this expansion stand out isn’t just the score—it’s how it reshapes the core experience of Diablo IV.

 

 

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Review (IGN 8/10) – The Most Compelling Expansion Yet?

Since the beginning of the IGN First campaign, many pieces have been revealed, showcasing the quality and level of investment put into this expansion, Blizzard now delivers a clear answer: refine what matters most and make the game feel engaging from the moment you jump in.

A short but engaging story driven by Mephisto

The campaign in Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred lasts around eight hours and takes players to Skovos, a brand-new region filled with diverse environments—from misty coastlines to volcanic landscapes. Beyond its visual appeal, Skovos plays a key role in reinforcing the dark, oppressive atmosphere the series is known for.

At the center of the story is Mephisto, one of Diablo’s most iconic Prime Evils. According to IGN, the narrative leans into more mature themes, exploring faith and manipulation. While some critics note that the campaign feels a bit short and doesn’t fully reach its potential, it still serves its purpose well: leading players into what truly matters—the endgame.

New classes: Paladin and Warlock bring more flexible builds

One of the highlights of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is the introduction of two new classes: Paladin and Warlock. The Paladin offers a familiar playstyle focused on defense and powerful auras, while the Warlock opens up a more flexible approach with summoning and transformation abilities.

However, the real strength lies not just in the new classes, but in how the systems around them have evolved. Skill Tree 2.0 ensures that every choice has a meaningful impact on gameplay, while the Talisman System reduces reliance on traditional set items, giving players more freedom in how they build their characters.

On top of that, the long-awaited Loot Filter makes gear management far more efficient, eliminating unnecessary clutter and allowing players to focus on what truly matters. As a result, character building feels smoother, clearer, and much more accessible.

Endgame improvements – the true highlight

According to IGN, the endgame is where this expansion truly shines.

The War Plans system streamlines access to activities, removing the need for excessive travel or preparation before jumping into action. This creates a much smoother gameplay flow and a satisfying loop: fight, refine your build, and take on greater challenges.

Additional features like Torment 12 increase the difficulty ceiling, while Echoing Hatred introduces a horde-style mode to truly test your build. Even lighter activities such as fishing are included, offering brief moments of downtime between intense battles.

All of this contributes to a more engaging and sustainable endgame—something the base version of Diablo IV previously struggled with.

Pros and Cons of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred

Pros:

  • Significantly improved endgame with smoother pacing
  • More flexible and accessible build system
  • Addictive gameplay loop that keeps you engaged
  • Dark, atmospheric tone true to the Diablo identity

Cons:

  • Campaign is relatively short and not fully explored
  • Exploration takes a backseat to progression
  • Co-op progression still needs improvement

Should you buy Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred?

The short answer is: Yes, especially if you enjoyed Diablo IV or have been waiting for a reason to return. Rather than reinventing everything, Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred focuses on refining the core experience—making combat feel more satisfying and progression more rewarding right from the start. An 8/10 score from IGN may not be perfect, but it clearly shows that Blizzard is moving in the right direction.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an ARPG with a compelling endgame, flexible builds, and a faster gameplay pace, Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is absolutely worth considering right now. This isn’t just a return to Sanctuary, it’s a chance to experience Diablo IV the way it was meant to be played.

Be sure to check out IGN’s dedicated Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred review coverage. With so many positive impressions from critics, there’s little reason to pass on this expansion. Don’t forget to visit our price comparison platform to pre-order Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred at the cheapest price.

Cleonidas

Cleonidas

98 Articles

Having spent years as a 3D artist for games and animation, I’ve learned to see games as more than just polygons—they’re living stories. My real passion is diving deep into the worlds and narratives that make games so captivating. Now, I’m dedicated to sharing those unique insights and stories with fellow gamers through my writing.

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SlDiorite5
SlDiorite5
May 1, 2026, 4:24 PM
I'm gonna agree with IGN here. It's not a new game or anything or that level, but the expansion sorta improved the game in the way it needed with all the QoL and endgame stuff. It's more focused on the player experience and it's great!
gif123
gif123
Apr 30, 2026, 12:42 PM
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred için gelen incelemeler, genişlemenin oyunu baştan aşağı değiştirmekten çok temel sistemleri daha akıcı ve tatmin edici hale getirmeye odaklandığını gösteriyor. Hikâye tarafı Mephisto etrafında ilgi çekici bir ton sunsa da kısa kalması bazı oyuncular için eksik hissettirebilir. Buna karşılık asıl fark yaratan kısım endgame düzenlemeleri ve karakter geliştirme sistemlerinde yapılan değişiklikler gibi duruyor. Yeni sınıflar ve daha esnek build seçenekleri oynanışa çeşitlilik katarken, loot yönetimi ve ilerleme akışı daha düzenli hale getirilmiş. Genel tabloya bakıldığında bu genişleme, kusursuz olmasa da Diablo IV’e geri dönmek için mantıklı bir neden sunuyor; özellikle oyunun uzun vadeli oynanışını önemseyenler için daha anlamlı bir paket haline gelmiş gibi duruyor.
Athmax28
Athmax28
Apr 30, 2026, 10:55 AM on dlcompare.fr
Étant un grand fan de l'univers diablo, je suis mitigé par ce nouveau dlc. D'une part par la stratégie de cumuler les deux extensions aux mêmes prix et de deux par le contenu qui est limité. L'histoire est qui plus est assez ennuyante dans ce 4 ème opus !
Being a big fan of the Diablo universe, I have mixed feelings about this new dlc. Firstly, because of the strategy of bundling the two expansions at the same price, and secondly, because of the limited content. What's more, the story in this 4th opus is pretty boring!
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sergipd
sergipd
Apr 30, 2026, 8:50 AM on dlcompare.es
Lo que más me convence es que ahora puedes experimentar más con builds sin depender tanto del equipo perfecto. Eso hace que el juego sea más divertido desde el principio y no solo al final.
What convinces me the most is that now you can experiment more with builds without depending so much on the perfect team. That makes the game more fun from the beginning and not just at the end.
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VicksB
VicksB
Apr 29, 2026, 9:36 PM on dlcompare.es
Esta claro que esta expansión está pensada para los que quieren quedarse jugando muchas horas. El nuevo contenido de endgame y la dificultad ampliada parecen hechos justo para eso
It is clear that this expansion is intended for those who want to stay playing for many hours. The new endgame content and the expanded difficulty seem to be made just for that.
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corvus_haugland
corvus_haugland
Apr 29, 2026, 5:20 PM on dlcompare.fr
J’ai du mal à recommander ce DLC. Même si l’ambiance reste solide et que l’univers est toujours aussi immersif, ça ne suffit pas à compenser le manque de vraies nouveautés marquantes. Les ajouts sont intéressants mais rien ne transforme vraiment l’expérience, et on a vite une impression de déjà-vu. Le plus frustrant, c’est aussi sa durée de vie. Le DLC est clairement trop court, surtout au vu du prix demandé. On en fait vite le tour, sans avoir ce sentiment de profondeur ou de renouvellement qu’on attend d’une extension. Du coup, le rapport qualité-prix passe mal. Et contrairement à certains avis de la presse, je trouve qu’il est loin d’être aussi réussi qu’on veut bien le dire. À moins d’être un gros fan, c’est difficile de conseiller cet achat
I find it hard to recommend this DLC. Even if the atmosphere remains solid and the universe is as immersive as ever, it's not enough to compensate for the lack of real, striking new features. The additions are interesting, but nothing really transforms the experience, and you quickly get a feeling of déjà-vu. The most frustrating aspect of the game is its lifespan. The DLC is clearly too short, especially given the price. It's all over quickly, without the sense of depth or renewal you'd expect from an expansion. As a result, the quality/price ratio is poor. And contrary to some of the press reviews, I don't think it's nearly as good as it's made out to be. Unless you're a big fan, it's hard to recommend this purchase.
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gennyshark
gennyshark
Apr 28, 2026, 9:43 PM
A year and a half after Vessel of Hatred, which itself was released roughly the same amount of time after the base game, Diablo IV is enriched with its new, highly anticipated expansion. Lord of Hatred, as the name suggests, places Mephisto front and center as the main antagonist, picking up where the previous expansion left off to close out this narrative cycle—a conclusion that didn't entirely convince me, even knowing nothing in Diablo is truly definitive, but it does provide a counterpoint with gameplay, particularly the devastating Warlock class. True to form, this expansion brings not only a new region with its own biomes, events, and side quests, but also some interesting tidbits along with an overhaul of progression.
jjpasu
jjpasu
Apr 28, 2026, 9:02 PM on dlcompare.es
Me parece un acierto total que hayan introducido sistemas como los Planes de Guerra para agilizar el acceso al contenido. Menos tiempo preparándose y más tiempo jugando es justo lo que necesitaba el juego
I think it's a total success that they have introduced systems like War Plans to speed up the access to the content. Less time preparing and more time playing is just what the game needed.
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Goultard
Goultard
Apr 28, 2026, 6:28 PM on dlcompare.fr
Je suis globalement du même avis que la communauté et la presse concernant le DLC, le contenu est solide et améliore clairement l’expérience. Entre un scénario plus intéressante, une nouvelle région réussie et des classes qui renouvellent vraiment le gameplay, on sent un vrai effort pour enrichir le jeu. Ce n’est pas parfait, notamment en endgame, mais l’ensemble reste largement recommandable si tu apprécies déjà le jeu de base. Concernant la Saison du Jugement, je trouve aussi qu’elle est réussie. Elle apporte un rythme plus dynamique et des défis intéressants qui donnent envie de recommencer un personnage. Comme souvent, ça peut devenir répétitif sur la fin, mais dans l’ensemble, c’est une bonne saison qui s’inscrit bien dans l’évolution du jeu
I'm generally of the same opinion as the community and the press concerning the DLC, the content is solid and clearly enhances the experience. With a more interesting scenario, a successful new region and classes that really renew the gameplay, you can feel a real effort to enrich the game. It's not perfect, especially in the endgame, but it's still highly recommendable if you already enjoy the basic game. As for the Judgment Season, I think it's a success too. It brings a more dynamic pace and interesting challenges that make you want to restart a character. As is often the case, it can become repetitive towards the end, but overall, it's a good season that fits in well with the evolution of the game.
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69f0d4b1888a5_scooter
69f0d4b1888a5_scooter
Apr 28, 2026, 5:45 PM on dlcompare.fr
plus les mois passes et plus le jeux devient interessant a joué , comme pour diablo 3 ou nous avont du attendre environ 5 ans pour que le jeux commence a etre bien , je pense que cela sera pareil pour ce diablo la , donc on avance de plus en plus vers du positif
the more the months pass and the more the game becomes interesting to play, as for diablo 3 where we had to wait about 5 years for the game to start being good, I think it will be the same for this diablo, so we move more and more towards the positive.
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  • Technical information

  • Official website
  • Categories : Action, Adventure, Role-Playing
  • Editor : Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
  • Developer : Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
  • Mode(s) : Solo, Co-op
  • Release date : April 28, 2026
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred art. A sorcerer faces a horde of winged demons in a desolate landscape. Intense atmosphere with mystical energy.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. A top-down view of a dark battle scene with demonic creatures and spell effects in a gloomy setting.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred - Action-packed scene with a warrior fighting monsters including a crab and mermaids, with bright effects.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred gameplay screenshot. A character fights multiple enemies in a rocky environment with skills and special effects.
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