Diablo IV Reviews in 2026: What Critics and Players Say
Scores and recommendation rates for the base game and both expansions, why the reputation moves with each season, and what players keep criticising.

The short version: critics are broadly positive, players are clearly split.
The split is not about quality so much as subject. Critics review the expansion; players review the current season.
What the critics said
| Release | Aggregated verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base game (2023) | Generally favorable | Story and atmosphere praised, endgame depth questioned |
| Vessel of Hatred (2024) | Generally favorable | About nine in ten critics recommended |
| Lord of Hatred (2026) | Generally favorable | About nine in ten recommended, described as the most complete endgame the series has had |
Those come from public score aggregation. IGN’s Lord of Hatred video is the most-discussed single review; the breakdown is on the IGN review page.
What players keep criticising
- Endgame repetition. Running the same activities eventually wears people down; the mechanics behind that are unpacked on why players stop playing.
- Season pacing. The seasonal model gives a reason to return and a sense that progress keeps resetting.
- Monetisation. Cosmetics and the battle pass remain a long-running argument. Blizzard maintains that cosmetics do not affect power.
- Launch stability. Any login problem on a season launch day amplifies everything else, as season 15 showed.
Why the reputation moves
Diablo IV’s reputation is not fixed. Every season rewrites part of the game: Tower and Solo Self Found in season 14, Soul Splinters and Rebirth in season 15, skill trees in Lord of Hatred.
So a player’s verdict usually reflects whichever version they last burned out on. When you read “is it worth playing”, check the publication date first.
Judging it by player type
- Story players: the base game and two expansions close the thread properly; Mephisto’s arc ends in Lord of Hatred.
- Loot players: there is plenty of endgame, but you have to accept periodic system rewrites. Playing per season works better than treating it as a daily habit.
- Casual players: wait for a sale, or try the base game through Game Pass, then decide about expansions. That is the cheapest route.
Prices are on price and editions, platforms and subscriptions on platform availability.
Sources
Related pages
release
Diablo IV Platforms: PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch 2 and Game Pass
Which platforms run Diablo IV, where expansions must be re-bought, how cross-play and cross-progression work, and what Game Pass currently covers.
release
Diablo IV Price and Editions: What to Buy in 2026
The base game, both expansions, the Age of Hatred Collection and each edition compared, with a buying path for new and returning players.
release
Diablo IV Release Dates: Base Game, Expansions and Switch 2
Base game June 2023, Steam October 2023, Vessel of Hatred October 2024, Lord of Hatred April 2026 and Switch 2 in September 2026.