Gaming

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro made me believe in wireless mice

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I used to turn my nose up at ultra-light wireless mice. I preferred the heft of a traditional mouse. The tactile sensation of pushing a heavier mouse makes me feel that my efforts are mechanically moving the cursor on the screen. In contrast, a lighter mouse eradicates that connection, making itself invisible. You no longer feel connected to your PC via a mouse; your hand itself becomes the cursor. I needed that connection.

It wasn’t until the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro that I realized how silly it is to keep that extra weight.

As if nothing was there

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is built for pro gamers. It’s extremely lightweight and impressively fast through its wireless connection.

To be more accurate, the mouse itself, minus the wire and the dongle, weighs only 56 grams. Coming from a chunkier mouse, my hand just flies through my desk mat. It’s like taking off ankle weights and suddenly feeling the weightlessness of a run.

Despite the reduced resistance, I never felt disconnected from the cursor on the screen. The mouse has a maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz. Personally, I didn’t go beyond the default 1,000Hz much. It’s more than enough for casual to slightly more competitive gaming. And in any case, the higher settings are just there for those rare times I want to dabble in more intense games.

Immediately, the DeathAdder V4 Pro’s weight and polling rate were enough to melt my worries over ultra-light and wireless mice.

A simple, no-frills layout

As a competitive mouse, the DeathAdder V4 Pro sheds off any extemporaneous buttons that some gaming mice have.

For input, the mouse has the two traditional left-and-right mouse buttons, a scroll wheel and middle mouse button, and two extra buttons near the thumb. For non-gaming purposes, the two extra buttons can act as the back and next buttons.

Right near the bottom’s optical sensor, you can find a button that doubles for turning the mouse off and changing the sensitivity. I adore this layout. My previous mouse had its DPI button near my grip, leading to a lot of accidental presses. Now, I understand that the layout might favor some types of games, but it just wasn’t it for me. The DeathAdder V4 Pro keeps it out of sight and out of mind.

 

A remarkably useful app

Initially, I bristled at needing another seemingly unnecessary for a new peripheral. However, the Razer Synapse app is surprisingly useful.

It’s remarkably good with fine-tuning. In the traditional DPI settings, you can adjust all the way down to the last digit. It’s all about making the experience as tailored to your tastes as is possible.

Besides the sensitivity, the app also has settings for mouse mat surface calibration for when you lift the mouse off the mat. It also has dynamic sensitivity and rotation calibration to tailor mouse movement based on what angle you hold the mouse with.

Even the dongle is useful

Traditionally, a mouse dongle is just to ensure that the mouse is well connected to the PC. The DeathAdder V4 Pro’s dongle is more useful. For one, it uses the same USB-A to USB-C wire to charge the mouse, so you don’t need to take off the wire every single time.

Secondly, it has three LED lights for three customizable displays. By default, it shows connection quality, battery level, and polling rate. You can rearrange these three, take out one to add DPI stage, or turn them off altogether. To me, these displays are very useful. They even use multiple colors and shades, so it’s not just red, orange, and green to show the battery, for example.

Most importantly, it’s small enough to keep out of the way. Since the wire is long, you can just hide the entire thing.

Optional grip tape

This is such a small thing to add, but I love it so much. The box includes grip tape for the left-and-right mouse buttons and both sides.

Besides adding grip, the tape also keeps the main body clean from the dirt on your hands over time.

The best part is that it’s replaceable. Some mice have the rubber built in. So, in those other mice, when your finger inevitably rub them smooth, you’re stuck with a slippery rubber piece until you replace the entire mouse. The replaceable grip tape is such a godsend against this problem.

Battery for weeks

The DeathAdder V4 Pro lasts an absurdly long time. It took me two weeks before the dongle showed a color that hovered perilously closer to red. Even then, it still had juice to keep going on. For reference, I usually keep my PC on the entire day for five to six days a week. I also don’t turn the mouse off with the PC because it has a low-power state that preserves battery life.

If you keep the mouse at the default 1,000Hz, Razer promises that a full charge can last 150 hours. If you’re more diligent in turning the mouse off after every use, you can probably squeeze out a bit more, too. Alternatively, the lifespan at the maximum 8,000Hz is reportedly 22 hours, which isn’t too bad if you need the mode for long competitive sessions.

Regardless, it’s not too much of a big deal to charge the mouse. It can still work perfectly when connected to the included cable.

Is the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro made me eat humble pie. After years of snobbery towards ultra-light wireless mice, Razer’s latest peripheral mended my ways and convinced me to drop the weightier mouse.

But that’s just me. If you’re already a fan of wireless mice, the DeathAdder V4 Pro is a no-frills gaming mouse that brilliantly prioritizes function over form. It’s simple, fast, and reliable as a plug-and-play peripheral. But when it needs to be better, it can tailor your entire experience to give you a competitive edge.

The only aspect that might make you think twice is its price. At US$ 169.99, the DeathAdder V4 Pro asks you to pay for a bit more than other alternatives. It’s still within the range of its contemporaries, but the price tag is a heavy ask.

It’s still a Super Swipe for me, though. Price aside, it’s a perfect mouse for all occasions.

Gaming

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3

With new gameplay, story details

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The Blood of Dawnwalker

Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.

The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.

Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora

A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.

Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.

Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.

Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed

A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.

Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.

Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.

A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice

Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

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Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo out now on Switch 2 and Xbox

Free demo now live

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to more players, and you can jump in right now.

Square Enix has released a free playable demo for the acclaimed RPG on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Better yet, your progress carries over to the full game when it launches on June 3, 2026.

The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2, giving players a substantial slice of the experience right from the start.

A look at the opening chapters

Chapter 1 revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the story — the Nibelheim incident. You take control of a younger Cloud alongside Sephiroth as they investigate a mysterious outbreak of monsters. It’s a story beat longtime fans will recognize, but still hits hard with its modern presentation.

Chapter 2 opens things up. Cloud and the crew step into the Grasslands, where the game starts to flex its scale. Expect a mix of combat encounters, exploration, side activities, and even the in-game card battler Queen’s Blood.

Combat blends real-time action with command-based strategy, now enhanced with Synergy Abilities. The demo also introduces “Streamlined Progression” options like unlimited HP/MP and faster ability unlocks, letting players focus more on the story if they choose.

Pre-orders and physical bonuses

Pre-orders are now open across platforms, with a 20% discount available until June 10, 2026.

Digital editions come with in-game bonuses like Summoning Materia, armor sets, and accessories. Meanwhile, early buyers of the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition get a little extra — a collectible Magic: The Gathering–Final Fantasy Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, available while supplies last.

Preparing for the final chapter

Set beyond Midgar, Rebirth follows Cloud and his allies — including Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII — as they pursue Sephiroth across a wider world. New companions like Yuffie and Cait Sith join the journey, adding more personality and dynamics to the party.

Already released on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game has racked up over 125 perfect review scores and more than 40 Game of the Year awards. With its arrival on Switch 2 and Xbox, the remake trilogy is now nearly fully playable across modern platforms.

That puts more players in position for what’s next: the third and final installment, which is currently in development.

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Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

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Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.

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