Gaming

Diablo IV review: Hell isn’t so bad

Much to love in the new game

Published

June 17, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

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.

Gaming

TEKKEN 8: Brand new story, 2nd DLC character announced

Season 1 roadmap unveiled

Published

May 2, 2024

GadgetMatch

Enjoying TEKKEN 8 so far? The title’s upcoming roadmap for the rest of 2024 has been revealed at EVO Japan, giving fans more reasons to keep playing Arika and Bandai Namco’s beloved fighting game.

There will be an all-new story coming to TEKKEN 8‘s Story Mode, which will be released in the future. Additionally, Lidia Sobieski has been confirmed as the second DLC character. She will be joining the roster this summer. It can be recalled that Eddy Gordo was the first character DLC for TEKKEN 8, joining the roster last April 4.

No specific date has been mentioned yet regarding Lidia Sobieski. Lidia made her franchise debut back in TEKKEN 7 as a DLC for the Season 4 Pass.

Meanwhile, adjustments to the battle system will be rolled out starting this spring. The game’s development team continues to work on improving balance and player experience. New modes such as Ghost vs. Ghost and Online Practice, on the other hand, will also be added at a later date.

Moreover, a new summer-themed stage, “Seaside Resort” will be available for free. Lastly, a brand new story will also be part of another free update in autumn. This new story will involve no less than Eddy Gordo.

ALSO READ: TEKKEN 8 closes a violent chapter to begin anew

TEKKEN World Tour

Also keeping TEKKEN fans busy for the next few months is the TEKKEN World Tour. The sixth season of this global tournament kicked off recently. Players across the globe compete to earn points and earn their place at the finals to be named The King of Iron Fist.

There will be a total of two Master+ events, 10 Master Events, and 14 Challenger Events worldwide for competitors to join. For more information on tour partners, event dates, locations, and signups, visit tekkenworldtour.com.

Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Mirage coming to iOS

Compatible with select Apple devices

Published

May 1, 2024

GadgetMatch

Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be launching on June 6, 2024, on the App Store for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad Air and iPad Pro with M1 chip or later.

The game first launched on last generation and current generation consoles as well as PC back in October 2023. It will be the first console title of the series for players to enjoy natively on mobile devices.

Players can experience the complete narrative-driven action adventure of Assassin’s Creed Mirage on mobile. In this game, they will be exploring 9th century Baghdad as Basim, a young thief who transforms into a Master Assassin.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be free to download and play for 90 minutes. The full version supports Universal Purchase and can be unlocked with a single in-app purchase, so players can enjoy the game on both iPhone and iPad. Pre-orders are now available here.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Assassin’s Creed Mirage spins a tale centered around an already established character, rather than a blank slate like Valhalla’s Eivor. It follows Basim Ibn Ishaq, a character introduced in Valhalla. Taking place before the events of the previous game, Mirage has the assassin root out the Order in 9^th-century Baghdad, a setting familiar to those who played the original title in 2007.

Accessories

Logitech announces G PRO X TKL gaming keyboard

Compact, cordless, portable

Published

May 1, 2024

GadgetMatch

Logitech has announced the G PRO X TKL gaming keyboard, a compact and cordless peripheral meant to assist gamers in the highest levels of competition. The G PRO X TKL comes with a pro-inspired tenkeyless design for more room and comfort, and Lightsync RGB lighting for style. It features dual-shot PBT keycaps for durability and wear and tear prevention.

The keyboard’s standard layout allows users to customize it with third-party keycaps and additional media keys. Users may also set up macros and create quick access while grinding. Speaking of customization, they may pick between Tactile, Linear, or Clicky Switches to tailor-fit the keyboard to their feel.

The G PRO X TKL connects via Lightspeed, ensuring users of lag-free performance at up to a 10-meter range. That’s better responsiveness than standard Bluetooth. Additionally, it has a 1000Hz polling rate. Long gaming sessions are a breeze too, as the keyboard’s battery lasts up to 50 hours. Lastly, for gamers on the go, the G PRO X TKL is portable and comes with its own carry case.

Logitech’s latest gaming peripheral is now available online and at all partner retail outlets, including PC Express, Silicon Valley, DataBlitz, Octagon, Electroworld, Complink, iTech, Techwarez, GameOne, Interpace Computer Systems, GameXtreme, TTI, DynaQuest PC, Digi-Serv Solutions, Concept Computer, NUTECH, DFE (Davao Futurebright Enterprises), Villman, PCWorx, Abenson, Digistore, and Greenware.