Diablo IV: The Story of Hatred Unveiled - What Awaits Us?

The narrative in the latest expansion, "Diablo IV: The Body of Hatred," may not be overly lengthy. If you focus solely on the main storyline, you can complete the entire plot in just a few hours. Today, I'm excited to share a comprehensive breakdown of the story, along with my thoughts and analysis after finishing the game. Additionally, I’ll provide some background knowledge about the Diablo universe to help everyone grasp the full scope of the narrative.

Returning to the Prison of Hatred

As we dive into the game, a recap animation from the original Diablo IV quickly reminds players of past events. While our heroes successfully thwarted Lilith's schemes, it forced Nephalem to plunge a soulstone into Mephisto’s seal, embarking on an uncertain journey alongside the soulstone itself. At the beginning of the expansion, we see Nephalem traveling toward the Nahantu region, a setting familiar to players of Diablo II, particularly the third chapter. This jungle area houses the long-standing Kurast Docks and the revived Kurast Bazaar, but more importantly, it contains the Fallen City of Tristram and the Prison of Hatred, which serves as Mephisto's stronghold in Sanctuary.

In the opening animation, we witness Nephalem's increasing corruption from the soulstone. She constantly battles against the demonic whispers from Mephisto's essence trapped within. As Nephalem becomes more attuned to Mephisto’s spirit, the world of Sanctuary begins to suffer severe consequences, with demons awakening from their slumber, threatening the land once again. Despite these challenges, Nephalem persists, searching for a way to contain the soulstone’s power.

The Rise of the Harrowing Knights

Transitioning to the city of Chio Vasha, we encounter a brutal execution scene. The once-influential Mother Puwala of the Light has fallen from grace, replaced by the ruthless Uryva. Following the death of Inarius at Lilith's hands, the Church of Light has lost its core belief, leaving behind only hatred and vigilante justice. Uryva embodies this chaotic force, hinting that the Harrowing Knights will still serve as the player’s antagonists throughout the expansion.

Raihel's Assistance

Our quest is to locate the missing Nephalem and confront the looming threat of Mephisto. However, upon returning to a nearby cabin to consult with Lorath, we find he has vanished. After some searching, we are led to the town of Jikul, where we meet Raihel, a blacksmith and friend of Lorath, who agrees to help us in our search for Nephalem, who is rumored to be heading toward Nahantu.

Uryva's Interference and the Introduction of Eiru

As we pursue Nephalem, Uryva unexpectedly intervenes, severing Raihel's right hand and attacking our main character from behind, sending them into the river. Our protagonist drifts for an extended period, eventually washing up on the shores of Nahantu, where they are rescued by a spirit guide named Eiru, preventing an untimely demise. Eiru plays a crucial role in this expansion, guiding players through the Nahantu region and accompanying them on several adventures.

Exploring the Kurast Docks and Tristram

Under Eiru's guidance, we first arrive at the Kurast Docks, a familiar location for Diablo II veterans. Here, we see the magical sword Gidben, which we helped recover a century ago, still protecting the villagers from evil. However, the surrounding wilderness is increasingly overrun by horrifying corrupted creatures, prompting us to locate Nephalem quickly to alleviate the situation. After some investigation, we decide to venture into the Fallen City of Tristram to explore the Prison of Hatred.

The Prison of Hatred and Akara's Spirit

The layout of Tristram differs from previous iterations. After exploring, we reach the Prison of Hatred, where Nephalem is found in a state of delirium, chanting ancient spells to resist the soulstone's corruption. Just as she seems on the verge of succumbing, a lion radiating holy light appears, revealing itself as the spirit of Akara, guiding us to seek the assistance of Abulan.

Into the Spirit Realm

As we refuse Mephisto's temptations, we arrive at the Kurast Bazaar, the largest city in Nahantu. Here, we reunite with an old friend, Omas, who has risen to a position of power within the ruling council. After strategizing, we decide to enter the Spirit Realm to seek Abulan's aid. This realm is a sacred domain shaped by human belief, protected by powerful guardians to prevent incursions by angels or demons. Abulan, as the guardian of the Spirit Realm, is responsible for mending the fabric of this domain.

To enter, we require the assistance of another spirit guide, Maca, a friend of Eiru. With her help, we enter the Spirit Realm, but find it already tainted by evil forces, leading us to confront and ultimately defeat Abulan, who has become corrupted. Eiru, devastated by the loss of his friend, extracts Abulan's heart, which still contains a trace of holy power that could aid Nephalem.

Return to the Prison of Hatred

With little time for mourning, we rush back to the Prison of Hatred, only to find our path obstructed. Once again, Akara’s spirit appears, clearing the way to Nephalem. Upon reaching her, we discover she has descended into the depths of the Prison, where Mephisto once dwelled in Diablo II. The developers have meticulously recreated this environment, bringing back fond memories for long-time players. Through gentle persuasion, Nephalem consumes Abulan's heart, regaining clarity, as its power temporarily shields her from the soulstone’s corruption.

Akara's Plan and the Quest for Abulan's Tomb

Upon returning to the Kurast Bazaar, we learn that Akara orchestrated this plan, hoping Nephalem would carry the soulstone to his tomb, using its sacred energy to suppress its corrupting influence. However, during this mission, Uryva re-emerges, capturing Eiru and attempting to lure our party into a trap. We must confront Uryva before we can proceed.

The Harrowing Knights’ Downfall

Throughout our journey, Nephalem's condition fluctuates. Although Abulan's heart provides temporary stability, the connection to the soulstone remains, threatening her and those around her. After defeating Uryva and rescuing Eiru, we face a tragic twist when Maca falls victim to Nephalem’s unstable powers, leading Eiru to a breakdown amidst his grief.

Into Abulan's Tomb

Despite his turmoil, Eiru soon reappears, guiding us deeper into Abulan's Tomb, where the body of Akara lies. In a pivotal moment, Nephalem transfers the soulstone to Akara’s spirit for safekeeping, severing her link to it. Just as we believe the ordeal is over, Eiru, now bearing Mephisto’s mark, opens a portal for Mephisto’s essence to confront us.

The Final Showdown

After a fierce battle, we ultimately defeat Mephisto, but the consequences of Eiru’s actions linger. Eiru reveals he made a deal with Mephisto to protect Nahantu, sacrificing everything he held dear. After a brief confrontation, we choose to spare Eiru, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his choices.

Anticipation for Future Adventures

Reflecting on the expansion, I feel the story might be a bit brief. While it doesn’t significantly advance the overarching plot, it does provide exciting glimpses into familiar locations and characters. However, many mysteries remain unresolved, such as Tyrael's whereabouts. The return of Nephalem is heartening, offering a chance for growth amidst adversity. As we look forward to the next chapter, I’m eager to discover more about Tyrael and the events between Diablo III and IV.

The emotional depth of characters like Eiru and Nephalem adds layers to the narrative, even if some moments felt rushed. Ultimately, fans will be left eagerly awaiting what’s next in the Diablo saga.