IGN has shared exciting news for Xbox gamers: Diablo 4 will be free to play this weekend, allowing players to log up to 10 hours of gameplay without incurring any extra costs. Announced via Xbox Wire, the action role-playing game will be accessible to all Xbox owners, starting from October 19, 12:01am Pacific through to October 22, 11:59pm Pacific. Importantly, neither Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold) nor Game Pass will be necessary to enjoy this limited-time offering.

Since its successful launch in June, Diablo 4 has been well-received by both critics and players. IGN, in its 9/10 review, referred to the game as a "stunning sequel with near-perfect endgame and progression design." During this free play weekend, gamers who possess Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate can also enjoy other free trials, including NBA 2K24, Lawn Mowing Simulator, and Hokko Life.

IGN provided a mixed review for NBA 2K24, praising its gameplay but criticising its microtransaction tactics. As for the other games, Hokko Life is an 'Animal Crossing'-like village building game, and Lawn Mowing Simulator provides an unusual gaming experience of mowing lawns. All in all, it's an exciting time for Xbox owners seeking to explore new games without financial commitment.