Bold changes were promised in Diablo 4's Season 8, but all that's come is a storm of criticism that isn't stopping anytime soon.
Belial's supposed dramatic return has led to one of the loudest community outcries Blizzard has faced since launch. This season isn't only about bugs or balance; it feels like a culmination of pent-up frustrations spilling over.
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+ 3First up, let's talk about the most controversial update: Blizzard's full rework of the battle pass system. Previously, the standard battle pass offered a straightforward grind with clear premium rewards, including Platinum—currency that could be reinvested into future passes.
Season 8 scraps that setup entirely in favor of a new system called the Reliquary. It theoretically offers players greater freedom, allowing them to decide which rewards they want to go after. But when put into action, it's less about flexibility and more about squeezing you for every cent.
The Reliquary gives less value and way less Platinum, so you'll probably have to spend more to get enough for the next season. As if that wasn't enough, a bug at launch meant some purchases didn't unlock the pass at all. Platinum slipped away from players without any compensation.
Blizzard acknowledged the issue and promised a fix, but the damage was already done—trust eroded, and forums lit up with warnings not to buy in. The frustration hit harder here because it was another round of Blizzard overhauling outdated systems, calling them new, and slapping a higher price tag on them.
click to enlarge + 3The core of Season 8's content revolves around a rebranded version of Legion events—short, repetitive world activities with slightly boosted XP rewards. Not only are these events familiar, but they also happen to be some of the least favored in the game, yet players are still being funneled into them to stay on track.
Some even claimed they'd prefer a recycled Helltide over what's being offered here. It's hard to stay engaged when the season's central mechanic feels like filler, especially for veterans who've poured hours into the game. Behind the scenes, Blizzard says it's trying to be more responsive.
Interviews with developers revealed a shift in how seasonal balance is handled. Previously, mid-season changes like major nerfs and buffs often left players with little time to adjust after investing in specific builds. The dev team is adjusting overperforming builds early before players commit too heavily.
The concept seems solid on paper, but in practice, it hasn't tackled the core issue: players don't feel like their time is being valued. Despite trying to balance power creep, it feels like fun builds still face the consequences, while weaker ones don't get enough attention.
The real letdown is how predictable it all feels. Streamers and longtime fans have pointed out that nearly every season boils down to the same thing—"borrowed power" systems with a different name. First, we had vampiric abilities, then companions, and now it's all about "boss powers."
click to enlarge + 3The wrapping changes, but the gameplay experience doesn't evolve much. There's a lore connection for Diablo 3 fans, but it doesn't make a huge difference in how the game plays.
The update to the Endgame structure with "boss power" customization and reworks to bosses like Duriel hasn't quite managed to shake the feeling that the game is treading water. The roadmap Blizzard shared earlier this year didn't do any favors. Rather than building excitement, it sparked more worries.
With not much information on what's ahead and the usual vague assurances of "seasonal fun," players are beginning to tune out. Some longtime players have outright said they'll be sitting this season out, choosing to wait for Diablo 5 or jump to games like Last Epoch, which they feel are taking more creative risks.
The quality-of-life changes, such as the revamped tempering system and smoother interface, indicate that Blizzard is at least responding to player feedback. They reaffirmed their commitment to update the skill tree, which players have been requesting, but no clear timeline was set.
Unless future updates drastically alter the course, Belial's Return may be defined more by Blizzard's loss of control over the story than by the demon's return.