Gaming

Diablo IV review: Hell isn’t so bad

Much to love in the new game

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Diablo IV is the fourth major entry in the long-running ARPG franchise. After the controversy of the mobile spinoff Diablo Immortal, it was hard to imagine the fourth title as anything but the continuation of the series’ devolution into a microtransactional playground. And yet, here we are. Contrary to what Immortal might have forbode, Diablo IV is everything that the series became popular for — and more.

A new vision of Hell

It’s hard to tell when a Diablo review should end. Anyone who’s ever played the series knows that the game doesn’t truly end after finishing the main campaign. By then, the game turns into a sprawling hunt for the best loot and more challenges.

That said, Diablo IV feels much more sprawling than its predecessors. It will take a while before you can even reach your second playthrough. Every corner of the map is littered with side quests, dungeons, and strongholds. Though all optional content are usually steeped in the same “kill everyone” format, there’s enough flavor to differentiate one objective from the other. It’s easy to find yourself in a deep hole of clearing out the whole map.

Instead of the procedurally generated maps of Diablo III, the fourth title thrives in an open-world format. Explored areas will remain visible even after you go offline. Balancing it all out, the game still generates new maps of dungeons after every instance. It’s fun enough to log on for an hour every day and do a few dungeons. It hooks players but not to a tedious level.

But something familiar

Despite how new the experience feels, Diablo IV feels familiar to veterans of the franchise. Instead of the more fantastical elements of the third game, the fourth game is grimdark, reminiscent of the stylings of the first and second games. An early cutscene shows a peaceful village suddenly overcome by a demonic violence. In an instant, the once-peaceful villagers brutally slaughter their village priest. Much of the game recreates similar feelings of horror and despair through its stories and locales. If you’re a fan of darker media, there’s much to enjoy in Diablo IV.

Additionally, the game is deliciously difficult, bringing back the challenge of previous games. From the get-go, players can access two World Tiers or difficulties: Adventurer and Veteran. Though Veteran is already a challenge in itself, the game locks the higher Nightmare and Torment difficulties until after you finish a playthrough. Regardless of difficulty, Diablo IV blends a satisfying challenge with a palpable feeling of growing stronger.

There’s also a variety of possibilities available to the player. Packaged as it is, Diablo IV offers five different classes with their own special playstyles: Barbarian, Sorcerer, Rogue, Necromancer, and Druid. Personally, I prefer the Necromancer, but each class is enjoyable to play. Plus, it’s not difficult to rearrange your skills and abilities. Even at higher levels, I can change my entire build and try something new for only a portion of my gold.

More delights on the horizon

On their own, the game’s classes are enough to create a variety of builds. That said, it’s been hinted that there are more classes coming with expansions, including a rumored Paladin class. I’m hoping for the return of the Monk.

New classes aren’t the only things on the horizon for Diablo IV. Blizzard already confirmed two expansions coming to the game. Prior to those releases, the game will also see the introduction of a battle pass system with new cosmetics.

While microtransactions are always controversial, Diablo IV (currently) keeps it minimal by locking only cosmetic items behind the format. Plus, the current store isn’t marketed aggressively. If you don’t care for cosmetics, it’s easy to ignore the microtransactional aspect of the game.

Of course, this can change in a heartbeat if a more aggressive store is introduced. For now, the game does a decent job breaking away from the controversies of a microtransactional hell.

Welcome to Hell

Diablo IV resurrects the joy of playing Diablo for the first time. It’s a drastic change from the third game, but it should feel familiar to those who enjoyed the first two titles.

With more content on the horizon, Diablo IV is shaping up to be a title with a fair amount of longevity through the years. That is, if it can keep its minimalized microtransactions.

SEE ALSO: Diablo IV will get two expansions

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Match Pulse: ROG Xbox Ally X

The handheld finally feels like it belongs in your hands.

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October 15, 2025

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ROG Xbox Ally X

We’ve spent enough time with the ROG Xbox Ally X to say this: it’s no longer just a novelty, it’s a handheld that finally knows what it wants to be.

The first Ally from 2023 was exciting — a bold step toward making PC gaming portable. But after a few sessions, it felt more like a prototype for what was coming next.

This one? It feels complete.
So, in this edition of Match Pulse, let’s talk about how the Ally X grips better, plays longer, and why it finally deserves the Xbox badge printed on it.

First look

ROG Xbox Ally X

The first touch felt awkward — the kind of feeling you get when you’re not sure how to hold something new. But the longer you hold it, the more it starts to make sense.

The redesigned grips, patterned after Xbox controllers, give it a natural curve that rests well in your palms. It still doesn’t dig in as much as I’d like to – the way it does on the Legion Go S – but it’s certainly an improvement.

It’s subtly heavier than the original, but the weight works in its favor. The balance feels right. The texture, more grounded. It feels made for long sessions, not quick demos.

This is where ASUS seems to have listened. What was once a bit slippery now feels like an extension of your hands. The matte finish stays clean, the edges no longer bite. It’s a small but significant shift — and one that makes a world of difference in how it’s used.

First date

ROG Xbox Ally X | NBA 2K26

We tested it the same way we tested the original Ally: unplugged, Turbo mode, 25W TDP, NBA 2K Quick Play.

Back then, we couldn’t finish more than a single game and a few minutes of freestyle practice before the battery flatlined.

This time, it’s double that.

Two full games before reaching for the charger — and that’s without dialing down the settings. The new 80Wh battery doesn’t just promise endurance; it delivers it.

The cooling system has also been reworked, quieter yet just as efficient. It’s the kind of update that doesn’t make headlines, but you hear it – or I guess In this case, not hear it as much.

Together, these tweaks make the Ally X something the original never quite managed to be — a handheld that lets you play longer unplugged.

First impressions

ROG Xbox Ally X

The Xbox influence is everywhere, and it’s not just branding. The Ally X now boots straight into the Xbox app, with the familiar button logo acting as your home key. Press it, and you’re instantly back in the Xbox ecosystem.

It feels less like a PC pretending to be a console, and more like a handheld that understands both worlds.

You can still jump into Steam or Game Pass with ease, but the default experience is unmistakably Xbox — intuitive, familiar, and cohesive.

All these refinements add up to something simple but powerful: this finally feels like a true successor.

The ROG Xbox Ally X doesn’t reinvent the idea of handheld gaming, but it refines it where it matters — in the way it feels in your hands, in how long it lasts, and in how effortlessly it connects to what you want to play.

If the original was a promise, this one is fulfillment – still with room for improvement, sure, but I trust you get the gist.

Learn more: https://ph.rog.gg/playALLYourgames2025
Where to buy: https://ph.rog.gg/wheretobuy2025 

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A Pokémon leak reveals an MMO-style remake of Hoenn, Sinnoh

It’s scheduled to launch in 2028.

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October 14, 2025

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For a company that’s notoriously litigious, The Pokémon Company has done a remarkably poor job at keeping its details safe from leaks. Today, a new Pokémon leak has revealed so much more about what the franchise has in store for gamers in the coming years.

Exactly a year ago, a massive leak called the Teraleak revealed a trove of information for the series. At the time, the leak focused mainly on the upcoming Legends: Z-A (which coincidentally launches later this week) and the mysterious tenth generation.

Now, via Centro LEAKS, the team behind the Teraleak has uncovered more information. Most importantly, the upcoming tenth generation of games will feature MMO-inspired elements. It will feature a central hub where players can interact with others online. It will also have co-op raid bosses and the ability to explore underwater.

The tenth generation will reportedly have the name Pokémon Wind and Wave, scheduled for a 2026 release. Supposedly, they even found a logo for the duo already.

Past 2026, the leak says that a new Legends game is coming in 2027. This time, the faster paced franchise will take players to the Galar region.

Then, in 2028, the developers are reportedly releasing a dream project that will make every older Pokémon fan’s heart flutter. Project Seed is supposedly a multi-region remake set in a new region between Hoenn and Sinnoh. Being in between worlds, players will get the ability to traverse the two aforementioned regions from the past. It’s also an MMO, so it’s a big dream come true for fans.

That said, these are leaked plans from 2020. As crazy as this slate sounds, there’s still a chance that TPC’s plans have already changed today. As with all leaks, take it with a grain of salt.

SEE ALSO: Massive Pokémon leak reveals plans for Gen 10

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What to Expect at gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025

Bangkok gears up for Southeast Asia’s biggest gaming weekend yet

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October 13, 2025

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gamescom asia thailand game show

The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok is about to become ground zero for gamers across the region as gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 takes over from October 16 to 19. With global heavyweights like Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, Capcom, and Ubisoft leading the charge, fans can look forward to four packed days of world premieres, hands-on demos, cosplay, esports, and exclusive merch.

Bandai Namco’s biggest booth ever

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia (BNE Asia) is going all out this year with its largest-ever title showcase, bringing both blockbuster releases and new surprises to Bangkok.

Playable titles include Little Nightmares III, MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice, Digimon Story Time Stranger, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, Once Upon A KATAMARI, and PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC, plus localized Thai demos of Little Nightmares III and ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition.

Fans can also look forward to Square Enix titles like FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake showcased within the same space. Completing the experience are exclusive freebies via a stamp rally, a photo op for CODE VEIN II, and a special guest appearance by Final Fantasy VII Remake Battle Director Teruki Endo on October 18.

Capcom brings new reveals, live shows, and cosplay power

Capcom’s lineup blends nostalgia, live entertainment, and fan engagement. Headlining the booth is the first Southeast Asian demo of Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, featuring all seven remastered titles in the series.

On the main stage, fans can catch developer sessions for Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, featuring Producers Kadowaki Akihito, Satoru Nihei, and Ryozo Tsujimoto.

Meanwhile, Thai YouTuber Gssspotted will host live gameplay demos of Resident Evil Requiem and PRAGMATA, followed by a Street Fighter 6 showcase led by Shuhei Matsumoto and Takayuki Nakayama — complete with a Top 16 tournament and a 30,000 THB prize pool.

Fans can also expect a daily cosplay gathering at 4 PM hosted by emcee YUKI, alongside exclusive Capcom merchandise and a custom illustration wall by artist Ryuta Fuse.

Ubisoft celebrates 10 years of Siege and showcases new games

Ubisoft is marking a major milestone with the 10th anniversary of Rainbow Six Siege, kicking off with a fireside chat featuring Creative Director Alexander Karpazis on October 16.

Across the weekend, the Ubisoft x Intel booth will feature hands-on gameplay for Anno 117: Pax Romana, Morbid Metal, Just Dance 2026, and Rainbow Six Siege, with exclusive goodies and cosplay meet-and-greets.

The publisher is also giving away a custom Intel x Siege PC — fans can join by snapping a photo at the Siege X booth and posting it online. Esports fans can catch daily 6v6 Siege showmatches, a creator exhibition match, and the Rainbow Six Siege Thailand Finals happening live on October 19.

A celebration beyond the main stages

Beyond the major showcases, the event floor will also be buzzing with more booths and interactive zones from top hardware brands like AMD, Intel, Predator, SteelSeries, Nubwo x EGA, and SIGNO. Visitors can explore even more game and publisher spaces from Nintendo, Xbox, HoYoverse, The Pokémon Company, Mytona, 4Divinity, Amazing Seasun, Razer Game Services, Staika, Ukiyo Studios, VNGGames, NCV Games, and Thermite Games — each bringing demos, merch drops, and activities that keep the energy going from one hall to the next.

Whether you’re there for Final Fantasy nostalgia, Monster Hunter reveals, or the Siege anniversary showdown, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 is shaping up to be the ultimate celebration of gaming culture in Southeast Asia — a rare crossover event uniting the world’s biggest publishers under one roof, all in the heart of Bangkok.

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