As much as Blizzard may insist otherwise, it feels like Diablo 4 has been on the back burner for the company in recent months. Despite getting off to a surprisingly strong start in 2023, the isometric action RPG has lately received little in the way of substantial content updates. While other, similar ARPGs like Last Epoch and Path of Exile 2 have recently gotten major, game-changing patches, Diablo 4 has practically received nothing more than different-colored Helltides and limited-time-only powers. The permanent additions to Diablo 4 have been rather lacking, and this is especially evident in some of the recent announcements regarding the game.
Last week, Blizzard revealed its first-ever Diablo 4 roadmap, outlining the next year's worth of content for the hit RPG. The reception to these plans has unfortunately not been that positive among the wider Diablo community. Rather than showing players that Blizzard is committed to supporting Diablo 4 in the months to come, the roadmap has done little to assuage the game's already grumpy fanbase. Some Diablo 4 fans have, in fact, found it to be rather underwhelming, especially compared to the bucketloads of new content that Blizzard added to Diablo 3 in its seasonal updates. Looking at the roadmap as a whole, it's easy to see why they'd think that.
Diablo 4 Has One Bright Spot on an Otherwise Barren 2025 Road Map
Diablo 4's roadmap for the coming year has been met with mixed reactions, but there could still be one source of exciting content for the game.
Blizzard's 2025 Roadmap for Diablo 4 Has Disappointed Many Fans
Diablo 4's Upcoming Content Updates Aren't That Exciting
According to the newly-revealed roadmap, Blizzard Entertainment will be introducing a Belial boss fight to Diablo 4 sometime between April and July, in addition to some new Lair bosses, a new IP collaboration, an apparition incursion activity, a two-year anniversary event, and a Season Journey update. Then, from July to September, the company is going to bring new Horadric powers and Nightmare Dungeon activities to the game, as well as some highly-requested features like keyboard and mouse support on consoles. Finally, from September to December, Chaos powers and infernal hoards will be added to Diablo 4, alongside an earnable pet and a second IP collaboration.
The Diablo 4 roadmap provides some details about what players should expect from the game in 2026, as well. Blizzard is not only going to release a new paid expansion for Diablo 4 next year, it will also add leaderboards and launch a new ranking system for the game, too. Blizzard has stressed that there are more unannounced features for Diablo 4 in the works, but its promise hasn't been enough to satisfy some fans. With the company currently struggling to maintain its Diablo 4 fan base, Grinding Gear Games has the perfect opportunity to steal the spotlight with its rival ARPG, Path of Exile 2.
Diablo 4's Troubles Could Be a Boon for Path of Exile 2
Path of Exile 2 was released in early access in late 2024, and its launch was incredibly successful, especially on PC. According to SteamDB, the game accrued more than half a million concurrent players on Steam, much more than the number of players that Diablo 4 had on the same platform. Granted, Path of Exile 2 is a considerably cheaper game compared to the full-priced Diablo 4, and it's intended to be a free-to-play title when it leaves early access, but PoE 2's success is still nothing to scoff at.
Despite its immensely popular debut, it hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows for Path of Exile 2. Earlier this month, the PoE 2 community lambasted Grinding Gear Games over the changes that it made to the game in the new Dawn of the Hunt update, which turned the gameplay loop of the hit ARPG into a grindy, slow-paced slog. Even though Path of Exile 2 has been review bombed on Steam, the player count for the game (at least on PC) is still rather strong. Blizzard's current stumbles with Diablo 4 could give Path of Exile 2 the upper hand in the long run, as Grinding Gear Games could make up for its mistakes and dominate the ARPG space in 2025 without having to worry about competition too much.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.
Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.
Expansive Open WorldForge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.
Immersive Character DevelopmentCreate and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.
Legendary Gear, Epic BattlesDiscover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.
Seasons & EventsThe tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.
End Game UndertakingsThere’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
