Blizzard is gearing up for Diablo 4’s next season, but their design choices might upset the very players they just won back during Season 7. PC Gamer’s analysis highlights a big change in how the game’s top loot functions, which could undermine the positive momentum created by the Lord of Hatred season.
Season 7: Lord of Hatred was seen as a much-needed correction for the game. It embraced power fantasy and rewarded players with engaging loot loops, which kept them coming back. This engagement is reflected in the current 16,906 concurrent Steam players — a figure that shows a steady, if modest, retention for an action RPG that’s now three years old.
The main change focuses on Ancestral gear, the highest tier of loot in Diablo 4. Blizzard seems to be scaling back the accessibility and effectiveness of this loot category. Community members argue this goes against what made Season 7 successful: it empowered players without forcing them to grind for hundreds of hours to feel strong.
This isn’t Blizzard’s first time overcorrecting after a successful season. In May 2026, the new Warlock class created a lot of excitement, indicating the development team has real creative energy. However, that goodwill is delicate. Just weeks ago, Season 13 hit Paladin builds with harsh nerfs. Players have been vocal about needing Blizzard to revamp Strongholds and make War Plans progression account-wide. This shows that while the community is engaged, they’re also frustrated with design choices.
With a Metacritic score of 90 at launch, but a more modest 68% positive rating on Steam from 24,441 reviews, Diablo 4 feels the impact of Blizzard’s decisions quickly. A poorly received season launch can lead to a surge in negative reviews within days. The changes to top-tier loot in the upcoming season will test whether Blizzard listens to community feedback before or after facing backlash.
| Metacritic Score (Launch) | 90 |
| Steam Review Score | 68% positive |
| Total Steam Reviews | 24,441 |
| Current Steam Players | 16,906 |
| Current Price (Steam) | $49.99 |
Despite the friction, community sentiment around the base game remains generally positive. One Steam reviewer described the experience as “pure action RPG bliss combined with Blizzard’s signature blockbuster touch.” They added that “the Lord of Hatred” season really boosted their view of the game. Such reviews highlight how much a season’s execution influences player satisfaction in Diablo 4.
What To Watch
- Blizzard’s PTR response: Keep an eye on whether the development team makes adjustments to the Ancestral loot changes during public test realm feedback before the season launches. Previous seasons have released controversial mechanics without changes, so this pattern is important.
- Warlock class reception: The new class has generated early buzz from previews, but its power level in relation to the new loot restrictions will decide if it launches feeling exciting or intentionally limited.
- Steam review trajectory: A drop below 65% positive on Steam would signal a significant change worth monitoring, especially given the game’s history of sharp shifts in review sentiment after major seasonal updates.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
