In the hack’n-slash Diablo 3, Patch 2.4 is coming soon. It brings new zones. Are there hints of an expansion or a sequel hidden here?
The Patch 2.4 is expected to arrive in early 2016, along with the start of Season 5. It is currently already on the patch server. YouTuber “Deadset Gaming” presents the individual new zones:
Expansions of 2 known zones
Two “old zones” have grown larger. In Act 1, there are now the royal quarters, the “Royal Quarters,” in the realm of the Skeleton King, Leoric.
Besides more background story about Leoric, the mad king, there is also a room with a “Tome of Set-Dungeons.” When the player clicks on it, they receive a hint about where the new set dungeons are located, corresponding to the dungeon in Diablo 3 that the player currently has their corresponding item set equipped.
The “Ruins of Sescheron” will be expanded with the area “The Eternal Forests.” This area reminds fans of the series of the frozen tundra from Diablo 2 – with frozen undead variants.
The new zone Gray Depths Island hints at more story in Diablo 3
There is an entire zone with the Gray Depths Island in Act 5. The zone is an example of how “nature can go wrong.” Everywhere, nature seems to rise up against the player: they fight against tree monsters.
The Nephalem experiences the story of a stranded adventurer through their diary entries, gaining insight into their descent into madness.
[Warning: Spoiler for the story of the new zone]
The corrupter of the island and the author of all this misfortune seems to be the demon Nereza, who already appears in the lore of Diablo 3 in Act 1.
Her thing seems to be the role of a seductress. She incited the waning Nephalem to make a pact. To the Nephalem, she promised to strengthen the blood of their offspring. Because these had become human (yuck!) and the Nephalem looked on the weak, short-lived beings with disdain.
But instead of strengthening the dwindling bloodline, Nereza transformed the offspring of the Nephalem into hideous monstrosities that turned against their ancestors.
Although Nereza was allegedly defeated by a hero, it seems that Nereza might still play a role in Diablo 3 in the future – perhaps in a sequel.
