Diablo 4 Season 5: A Triumph, But 7 Tweaks Could Make It Legendary
Season 5 of Diablo 4, "Season of the Infernal Hordes," has been a resounding success, exceeding even the high expectations set by the previous season. But while the game is in a strong place, there are a few tweaks that could truly elevate the seasonal experience for players.
Initially, I planned to skip Season 5 entirely, focusing instead on the upcoming "Vessel of Hatred" expansion. The two-month season felt fleeting, and with the expansion's release looming in October, along with a new class, "Spiritborn," I thought Season 5 might just be a rehash of its predecessor.
However, fresh from the intense challenge of the "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC in Elden Ring, I craved a more casual gaming experience. Season 5, with its build upon the solid foundation of Season 4, offered just that.
The Season of the Infernal Hordes shines with:
Streamlined Boss Farming: The ability to farm bosses without multiple loading screens and dungeon resets is a game-changer. It makes engaging in the "Boss Ladder" a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Resurgent Uniques: With tweaks bringing them closer to Legendaries, Uniques now play a significant role in builds, revitalizing the loot hunt.
Mythic Uniques Stand Out: The visible distinction of Mythic Uniques (now purple) adds a welcome element of excitement when they drop, preventing accidental salvaging.
Mother's Gifts from Diverse Activities: Earning "Mother's Gifts" from various activities, not just Helltides, grants players more freedom and a sense of reward regardless of their chosen activity.
Infernal Hordes in the Endgame: This new endgame activity adds a fresh, chaotic experience, reminiscent of "Vampire Survivors" but within the Diablo universe. It's been the most enjoyable part of levelling my character from 80 to 100.
These are just a few of the reasons Season 5 has exceeded my expectations. It didn't need to be this goodâit could have been a minor update to Season 4. The fact that it's so much more speaks volumes about the developers' dedication to community feedback.
While Season 5 is a triumph, there's room for improvement. Here are seven suggestions that could make the seasonal experience even smoother:
1. An Armory is Essential:
Experimenting with different builds is hampered by the time it takes to switch Uniques, Aspects, and skill points. A dedicated Armory system, similar to what was available in Diablo 3, would allow players to save multiple builds and switch between them quickly. This would encourage experimentation and cater to diverse playstyles, especially for those who enjoy solo play, group play, or specific farming builds.
While respecting the need for a gold cost when respeccing, the developers should consider integrating an armory system with a minimal fee to change builds. This would prevent players from feeling like their time is wasted when they switch to a build they don't enjoy.
2. Unlock Waypoints for All:
While maxing Renown in a previous season or the Eternal Realm eliminates the need to repeat this process, many waypoints remain inaccessible, hindering fast travel. This feels like a chore, especially considering the minimal gold rewards associated with unlocking them. Unlocking all waypoints from the start of each season, or offering a paid option to do so, would save players time and effort.
3. Revamp Strongholds for the Endgame:
Strongholds, while enjoyable during the campaign, become tedious in the seasonal format. Their unique quests are repetitive, and the rewards are underwhelming. The developers should consider making Strongholds a more rewarding endgame activity by incorporating them into the Season Journey, offering valuable rewards for completion (like Glyph XP, Greater Affix equipment, or Stygian Stones), or allowing them to be completed at higher difficulty levels in World Tier 4.
4. Reintroduce Conquests from Diablo 3:
Conquests in Diablo 3, while similar to the current challenges, presented greater difficulty and required strategic planning. These harder challenges provided a sense of accomplishment and fostered a sense of community as players strategized to complete them. Adding similar Conquests to Diablo 4, with a mix of existing challenge steps at higher difficulty levels, would add a welcome layer of depth.
5. Enhance Free Battle Pass Rewards:
The current Free Battle Pass rewards are lackluster. Offering a truly desirable cosmetic reward for free players, such as the impressive wings or pets seen in Diablo 3, would be a better investment in player retention and satisfaction. While paid players will continue to purchase the Premium Pass, offering a compelling free reward would benefit everyone.
6. Introduce a New World Boss:
With the "Vessel of Hatred" expansion introducing a new area, "Nahantu," a new World Boss would be a welcome addition. Whether it's an entirely new boss or a rotating roster of World Bosses, adding fresh encounters would keep the game engaging. The current World Bosses have been improved with the "Resilience" mechanic, but a new challenge would be a thrilling addition.
7. Implement Lobbies for Social Play:
Diablo 4, as a primarily online experience, lacks the social features found in its predecessors. While the game encourages player interaction through emotes and in-game chat, a designated lobby system would make it easier to connect with players for specific activities like farming or levelling. This would foster a more social experience and increase the sense of community.
Despite the success of Season 5, these tweaks would further enhance the experience, making it truly legendary. The future of Diablo 4 is bright, with the "Vessel of Hatred" expansion promising a substantial overhaul to the game. Whether it's the addition of mercenaries or a new PvE endgame activity, the expansion will undoubtedly bring new and exciting challenges and opportunities.
As we eagerly await the expansion's release, it's important to remember that the developers are actively listening to player feedback. With continued collaboration, Diablo 4 can continue its upward trajectory and become a truly legendary game.
