Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Shows 21-Minute Skovos Gameplay

It seems Blizzard knows exactly how to push player excitement to its peak. Just a few days after unveiling a 12-minute gameplay showcase, the company followed it up with a brand-new 21-minute video packed with details. This latest gameplay, part of IGN First, offers the most comprehensive look yet at the Skovos region in Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. However, what truly draws attention isn’t just the new setting—it’s how the video subtly layers in details, inviting players to observe, analyze, and connect the dots for themselves.

Skovos Unleashed: New Diablo IV Gameplay Showcases Massive World, Warlock Power, and more...

Skovos stands out as a region that clearly reflects the team’s ambition in world-building. Rather than feeling repetitive, the environment constantly evolves throughout the gameplay. From desolate coastlines littered with shipwrecks, to ancient ruins steeped in history, and into murky, oppressive swamplands, everything comes together to create a journey that feels both cohesive and immersive. Just as importantly, the scale of the region is hard to overlook. The player frequently travels across long stretches of terrain, reinforcing the sense that Skovos is not only diverse, but also genuinely vast in size.

What makes this variety meaningful is that it directly shapes how combat unfolds. Open areas allow for large-scale encounters, while tighter, more complex terrain demands constant adaptation and smarter positioning. The pacing benefits from this design, as exploration and combat flow naturally into one another:

• wide-open areas that support large-scale combat
• complex terrain that creates varied combat scenarios
• gated zones that help structure progression

One of the most intriguing aspects of the gameplay is the class being used. While no official details have been confirmed, what appears on screen strongly points in a clear direction. The character repeatedly summons entities directly from the ground, uses abilities infused with eldritch and demonic energy, and relies on these summoned creatures to actively participate in combat. Compared to the Necromancer, which depends on corpses and skeletal minions, the difference is immediately noticeable.

In the earlier 12-minute gameplay showcase, players were introduced to a completely different combat style, one defined by radiant, heavenly light spreading across the battlefield through a Paladin-like archetype. That contrast makes the 21-minute video even more striking, as the tone shifts dramatically. Here, the battlefield is dominated by a deep crimson palette, where hellish power seems to surge outward, overwhelming enemies with each ability cast.

Even without official confirmation, the sheer density of abilities, filling the screen with summoned entities and chaotic effects, makes it difficult to ignore the likelihood that this is a Warlock. This impression is reinforced by how the skills function: direct summoning, control over multiple entities, and a combat rhythm built around managing those summons, all of which strongly define this playstyle.

Alongside the main character, the presence of Raheir adds another layer to the experience. Rather than appearing briefly as a scripted NPC, this companion remains consistently active throughout the gameplay, taking part in combat encounters. Raheir often pushes to the front line, wielding a large shield and triggering defensive, light-based effects—effectively acting as a living shield for the player.

• initiates combat and holds enemy aggro
• absorbs incoming damage
• helps maintain a stable combat flow

The way Raheir operates brings to mind the mercenary systems seen in Diablo II and more recently in Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred. A companion that actively engages in combat, maintains a frontline presence, and persists throughout encounters suggests something beyond a simple story character—potentially pointing toward a deeper gameplay system.

Another small but notable detail is the design of the mount featured in the video. Its dark, infernal appearance fits naturally with the summoning-focused aesthetic. This has led some players to draw comparisons with designs seen in World of Warcraft, especially given Blizzard’s history of cross-game rewards. That said, this remains speculative for now, and the mount is likely part of the expansion’s broader cosmetic offerings.

Taken as a whole, this 21-minute gameplay showcase is more than just an introduction to Skovos. Its strength lies in how all elements come together to create a more layered experience. Players are no longer fighting alone, but are supported by companions, while the environment continuously shifts to create new combat scenarios. The result is a more dynamic system where multiple elements interact, rather than everything revolving solely around the player character.

This gameplay feels like a clear glimpse into the direction of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred—a world that is richer in variety, a combat system that is more complex, and an overall design that rewards attention to detail.

With that in mind, it’s likely that the road leading up to the expansion’s release will be filled with a steady stream of new reveals from Blizzard. If you want to stay up to date, keep a close eye on IGN’s dedicated coverage for Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred—and don’t forget to check out our price comparison platform to pre-order the expansion at the best possible deal.