Slight spoilers for Diablo 4 ahead.Though largely set in completely new corners of Sanctuary, the Region of Kehjistan returns toDiablo 4, and with it, some of its iconic locations fromDiablo 3as well. WhenDiablo 4’s open worldwas revealed in 2019, players already had a firm grasp on what to expect from its playable areas: the Shattered Peaks, Scosglen, Dry Steppes, Kehjistan, and the mysterious swamps of Hawezar. As fun as it was to explore the homeland of the Druids in Scosglen, many fans were wondering about the fate of Caldeum inDiablo 4.
Present in bothDiablo 4and its predecessor, Caldeum was one of the first locations ever revealed afterLord of Destruction’s ominous finale, making its debut in the announcement trailer forDiablo 3. A jewel of the desert, much like Lut Gholein, Caldeum was the fourth and final capital city of Kehjistan. During the originalDiablo 3campaign, it was besieged by the Lord of Lies Belial, and following the events inReaper of Souls, Caldeum never quite recovered from the recent string of calamities.
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While the plot of Kehjistan as a Region is subject to heavy spoilers from the game, the zones themselves have proven to be a remarkably accurate adaptation ofDiablo 3’s second Act. The nation of Kehjistan has crumbled to dust in thefifty years leading up toDiablo 4, and the influence of the Zakarum has dwindled to near extinction. The Caldeum that players explore inDiablo 4is but a shadow of a once thriving metropolis, as James_Bono has managed to put together screenshots that correctly match the old areas inDiablo 3with theirDiablo 4counterparts.
The boss arena in Alcarnus where the heroes ofDiablo 3confronted Maghda now serves as aStronghold inDiablo 4. Meanwhile, the town location of the Hidden Camp is now abandoned, allowing players to instead look upon the desolate ruins of Caldeum from on top the overlook. Despite often being critiqued by its art direction, the locations ofDiablo 3have successfully transitioned into the grittier art style ofDiablo 4, and their inclusion opens up the possibility of more areas, such as Kurast or Lut Gholein, returning to the sequel in some capacity.
Though it remains to be seen where theexpansions ofDiablo 4take place, the epilogue points the players in a very obvious direction. Until then, Blizzard Entertainment has built quite the sandbox forDiablofans, as the five Regions ofDiablo 4represent the best artistic depiction of Sanctuary yet.
Diablo 4is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X/S.
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