Gaming

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred review: Returning to hell is fun

The new Spiritborn makes it worth playing

Published

October 21, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

I’ve played Diablo III for hundreds of hours, and I can safely say that Monk was my favorite class in that bunch. There’s just an indescribable satisfaction when the Monk’s ultra-fast DPS causes bodies to ragdoll out of the screen. When Diablo IV launched, no one really matched up to the Monk. Now, the new Vessel of Hatred expansion is spicing things up with the new Spiritborn class.

Enter the Spiritborn

The new expansion includes a new region and a new campaign. However, the biggest spotlight is rightfully on the new class. Tagged as a blend between the Monk and the Witch Doctor, the Spiritborn touts a speedy DPS build with the ability to call on different spirit animals for additional burst damage.

From the outset, the Spiritborn is absurdly fun to play. The class balances damage output with durability. It manages to replicate the intense close-combat adrenaline of the Monk. Plus, the four Spirit Guardians available — Gorilla, Jaguar, Eagle, and Centipede — allows players a wide variety of playstyles to choose from and mix-and-match with.

For example, the Centipede, which happens to be my personal favorite, builds on poison and fear abilities for maximum crowd control. Meanwhile, the Gorilla, Jaguar, and Eagle focus on defense, attack speed, and ranged attacks, respectively. Each Guardian also has its own ultimate, which spawns the Guardian itself and shreds enemies.

I’m having a lot of fun playing the new class. If you grew tired of the original game’s roster, the Spiritborn easily rekindles the freshness with a consistent feeling of power and the flexibility of experimentation.

Making the game more rewarding

Besides the new class, the Vessel of Hatred expansion also brings a ton of new features and overhauled systems. They’re all welcome changes, too.

As much as I love the franchise, the initial launch of Diablo IV quickly devolved into a grinding nightmare that lacked the feeling of making players more powerful with every battle won. The new patch that comes with Vessel of Hatred overhauls this system and makes levelling much easier, while also raising the level cap to 60 and the paragon level cap to 300.

When I got the expansion, I started a new character. To my surprise, my new Spiritborn reached maximum level in practically no time. More than that, I feel like legendary items drop more frequently with this update. The overhauled system streamlines most of the grinding to favor what really matters most: becoming powerful and showing off new loot against more difficult hordes.

The update also introduces more difficulties. While I haven’t dabbled in the more nightmarish ones, the more streamlined progression lets me access more difficulties and, hence, stronger rewards.

Mercenaries to keep you company

The new mercenary system is also gratifying. While the initial launch introduced an open world where you can meet and fight with other players, Diablo IV was still a largely solo experience. Unless you have friends playing with you, no one is really helping you with the game’s dungeons.

Taken from previous games, the new mercenary system ensures that you’re never fighting the hordes of hell alone. Currently, the game has four available mercenaries to choose from. Each have their own abilities, specialties, and personalities.

For me, the new mercenaries are literal lifesavers. They do help in conquering the more difficult dungeons. At the very least, they provide some much-needed companionship for long gameplay sessions.

A Nahantu vacation

It’s impossible to talk about Vessel of Hatred without talking about the new story and the region. As I mentioned in my previous review, the different regions of Diablo IV are varied enough to offer different flavors, despite being open world.

Nahantu is no different. The new region takes players to a jungle locale, offering up new enemies and dungeons to get through. It’s a refreshing change from the frosty wastelands of Fractured Peaks and the deserts of Kehjistan.

As for the expansion’s story, Vessel of Hatred puts the focus back on one of the more underrated Prime Evils, Mephisto. After prevailing against Lilith, the Prime Evil is on a quest to return and terrorize the world again.

To be clear, the expansion does not conclude Mephisto’s story just yet. Blizzard still has more updates planned for the Prime Evil. Regardless, the story’s pivot to a new antagonist is much welcomed.

Should you play Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred?

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is more than just a story expansion. It’s also a spirited effort to rebalance the game, making it a lot more fun for new and returning players. If you loved the Diablo franchise, especially the fourth one, Vessel of Hatred is a must-play.

Related Topics:Diablo IV Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred

Gaming

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launches October 2

New aircraft revealed

Published

June 8, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco has confirmed that ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE will launch on October 2, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The publisher also announced that early access will be available ahead of launch, although specific dates have yet to be revealed.

Alongside the release date announcement, Bandai Namco shared new details on the game’s aircraft roster, gameplay systems, and key characters that players will encounter throughout its campaign.

The latest entry in the long-running flight combat franchise puts players in the role of an ace pilot fighting for the survival of their homeland. The story centers on themes of identity and duty while featuring large-scale aerial battles across a war-torn world.

More than 30 aircraft at launch

ACE COMBAT 8 will feature over 30 aircraft spanning real-world military jets and original fictional designs created specifically for the game.

Aircraft are divided into four categories: fighters, attack aircraft, multi-role aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft.

Some of the aircraft confirmed so far include the F-14D Super Tomcat fighter jet, the heavily armed A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, the versatile Mirage 2000-5, and the electronic warfare-focused EA-6B Prowler.

All aircraft come equipped with guided missiles and machine guns as standard weapons. Players can also equip special weapons ranging from multi-target missiles and heavy bombs to advanced laser systems.

A new gameplay feature allows players to bring two types of special weapons into missions, offering more flexibility during combat. However, ammunition remains limited, requiring careful resource management throughout each operation.

Bandai Namco also highlighted a new destruction system where falling wreckage from destroyed enemies can occasionally collide with other targets, triggering chain reactions on the battlefield.

Meet Joker Flight

Players take control of Joker Flight captain Jan Cope, known by the legendary callsign “Wings of Theve.” The campaign follows Joker Flight as its members deepen their bonds amid an escalating conflict.

Key squadron members include Ellington Baxter, Tasha Severskaya, and William “Noise” Coster. Players will also encounter Queen Flight leader Kate Evans, carrier XO Jessica Pike, doctor Adelina Santos, and chief mechanic David Jenkins.

Character designs come from Yusuke Kozaki.

During missions, players can choose squadron compositions and issue commands to wingmen. They can also respond to radio communications using a simple yes-or-no system.

ACE COMBAT Online returns

Bandai Namco also shared new details about ACE COMBAT Online, the game’s multiplayer mode. Players create a mercenary pilot avatar before joining online lobbies. There, they can take part in both cooperative and competitive battles with players worldwide.

More information about ACE COMBAT Online will be revealed at a later date.

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launches on October 2, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Bandai Namco has also confirmed early access ahead of release.

Gaming

Persona 4 Revival arrives Feb 2027, Persona 6 gets first teaser

Two Persona games revealed

Published

June 8, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Persona fans have plenty to look forward to. ATLUS has confirmed that Persona 4 Revival will launch on February 18, 2027, while also officially unveiling Persona 6, the next mainline entry in the long-running RPG series.

Both announcements were made during the Xbox Games Showcase. Persona 4 Revival is headed to Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and Steam. Pre-orders are now available through the Microsoft Store.

Persona 4 Revival is a full remake of Persona 4 Golden. ATLUS says the game features upgraded visuals, a revamped user interface, improved combat systems, enhanced cutscenes, and additional content. The remake aims to serve both returning fans and newcomers experiencing the mystery-filled adventure for the first time.

The story once again takes players to the rural town of Inaba, where a string of murders and disappearances become linked to the mysterious Midnight Channel and a hidden world inside television screens. Players will reunite with familiar characters including the protagonist, Yosuke Hanamura, Chie Satonaka, Yukiko Amagi, and Marie.

ATLUS also revealed several launch DLC packs. This includes Persona-themed costumes, Persona fusion sets based on Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Royal, support items, and additional background music packs.

Limited physical editions will also be available. The Persona 4 Revival Limited Box includes a Shigenori Soejima-designed collector’s box, artbook, T-shirt, phone pouch, costume set, and a physical copy of the game. An Izanagi Edition adds a protagonist and Izanagi figure.

Persona 6 officially revealed

Alongside the remake announcement, ATLUS unveiled Persona 6 with a teaser trailer.

While the company stopped short of announcing a release date, it confirmed that the next mainline Persona title will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and Steam.

According to ATLUS, Persona 6 will feature an all-new story set in a previously unseen location. The publisher promises new characters, fresh encounters, and the signature blend of social simulation and RPG gameplay that helped define the franchise.

Few additional details were shared, suggesting the game remains early in its marketing cycle.

Persona series reaches 30 million sales

The announcements come as ATLUS celebrates a major milestone for the franchise.

SEGA and ATLUS revealed that the Persona series has now surpassed 30 million units sold worldwide. To mark the occasion, character designer Shigenori Soejima released a commemorative illustration celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary.

With Persona 4 Revival arriving in early 2027 and Persona 6 now officially on the horizon, ATLUS is setting up what could be one of the biggest periods in the franchise’s history.

Gaming

Virtua Fighter Crossroads launches in 2027

New era begins

Published

June 8, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

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SEGA has officially revealed Virtua Fighter Crossroads, the next mainline game in the long-running fighting franchise.

Previously known as the New Virtua Fighter Project, the title is set to launch in 2027.

The announcement came during Summer Game Fest 2026 in Los Angeles, where SEGA debuted the game’s first reveal trailer.

Players can also watch the archived showcase featuring producer and creative director Riichiro Yamada and members of the development team.

Reveal trailer:

Showcase presentation:

SEGA also released a story trailer focused on Cielo, one of the game’s four protagonists.

A new story-driven direction

According to SEGA, Virtua Fighter Crossroads aims to go beyond traditional fighting game conventions by combining narrative and combat into a single-player adventure.

The story follows four protagonists whose lives and convictions become intertwined. Their paths cross in a tale that blends cinematic storytelling with the series’ signature martial arts combat.

The game takes place in Vilasapara, a fictional Southeast Asian metropolis. Once stabilized by an agreement known as the Arma Carta, the city now faces growing tensions tied to politics, underground fighting, and a mysterious figure known as the Bakunawa Killer.

SEGA says the choices and conflicts surrounding these characters will shape the future of the city.

RGG Studio builds a new city

Vilasapara serves as the game’s central setting and has been created by RGG Studio.

The city features multiple districts, including a walled city center, entertainment zones, and resort areas. Players can explore these locations while uncovering side stories and optional quests connected to the people who live there.

Combat also receives a major overhaul. Story Mode will feature encounters ranging from multi-opponent fights to boss battles that unfold as part of the narrative.

Meanwhile, Battle Mode will allow players to jump directly into one-on-one matches both online and offline.

SEGA says the new entry retains the fluid and technical fighting system the series is known for while introducing greater realism and deeper strategic gameplay.

The company also revealed that the game’s narrative is being developed by a team of international writers who have contributed to other major projects, though specific names were not announced.