Lord of Hatred upgraded Diablo 4 into one of the best action RPGs out there, but its new season ignores everything that made it great
Diablo 4 has reached its strongest position since launch following the Lord of Hatred expansion, which successfully added meaningful depth while preserving the core action RPG experience. However, the new Season of Death Awakening introduces controversial foundational changes that appear to diverge from the design philosophy that made the expansion successful.
According to PC Gamer, the Lord of Hatred expansion strengthened Diablo 4 by enhancing its systems without compromising its straightforward gameplay loop—characterized by rewarding character progression and generous loot rewards. The expansion provided a solid foundation for the game’s future development.
The Season of Death Awakening represents a significant foundational change. While Blizzard likely views this as necessary for long-term health, the community has reacted with controversy. Early assessments suggest the new season’s design decisions contradict key elements that made the recent expansion well-received, creating tension between the direction established by Lord of Hatred and the path forward.