ASUS ROG Ally Archives

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Here are 12 free Steam games worth trying on your Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or Legion Go right now

A selection of 12 free games available for PC and handheld users includes: 1. A Cat’s Way Home - A simulation game focused on building relationships with cats. 2. Farm Wars - A real-time PvP strategy game involving crop planting and animal transformation for sabotage. 3. Starling - A game where players build a base using local resources as a Starling Corp employee. 4. A Very Merry Nightmare - A 3D first-person adventure set in a twisted Christmas world, evading an AI enemy. 5. Little Robot - A 15-minute exploration game featuring a melancholic robot in a backyard. 6. Cedric & Odious - A 2D hack-and-slash adventure in a dark fantasy realm. 7. Paw Pirates - A multiplayer game focused on chaotic battles between pirate ships. 8. Realm Traveler - An RPG-style game where players choose a class and embark on quests. 9. Strange New Tides - A 2.5D sandbox experience in Saltbay Cove, involving relationship building and home construction. 10. Templar - A 2D hack-and-slash game where players battle demons as the last Templar knight. 11. Popo & Rob - A fast-paced first-person shooter with team-based matches. 12. The Machine Arena - A game featuring dynamic 4v4 PvP battles or solo PvE matches with short gameplay sessions. Additionally, Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti GPU launches today, with listings available from major retailers.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Take your favorite PC games on the go with $200 off the ASUS ROG Ally

As of February 18, the ASUS ROG Ally is available at Best Buy for 9.99, down from its regular price of 9.99, representing a 35% discount. The device weighs just under 2 pounds and is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with AMD RDNA3 architecture graphics. It offers several hours of battery life and can recharge to 50% in 30 minutes with a USB-C adapter. The ASUS ROG Ally can also be connected to a television, allowing it to function as a mini PC.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Avowed may run on a 9-year-old GPU, but Steam Deck looks like a no-go unless you like sub-30fps upscaled at minimum settings

Avowed, Obsidian's latest role-playing game, faces significant performance issues on portable devices. It crashes on the ASUS ROG Ally and has an "unknown" compatibility rating on the Steam Deck. The game's minimum GPU requirement is the GTX 1070, which is higher than that of many recent RPGs. Testing on the Steam Deck resulted in a disappointing frame rate of 20-25 fps, making combat unfeasible. While the game is designed to target 30fps on Xbox Series consoles, it performs better on more powerful hardware, such as the RTX 3070, where it runs smoothly at medium-high settings and 1440p resolution.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Avowed PC performance analysis: Sometimes good, sometimes bad, frequently odd

Avowed has transitioned from an expansive open-world design to a semi-open world format with interconnected large levels, maintaining elements from both Skyrim and Pillars of Eternity. Developed by Obsidian, it targets 30 fps for the Xbox Series X/S version, with early impressions suggesting that ultra-high frame rates are not prioritized for the PC version. The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and offers a Lumen option for ray tracing in 'software RT' mode, which is accessible for users without ray-tracing-capable GPUs but with reduced visual accuracy. Benchmark tests were conducted in Claviger's Landing, revealing performance insights. The Asus ROG Ally X experienced crashes when changing graphics settings, while the review code was generally stable with minor glitches. The game features multiple quality presets: - Low quality preset: Decent visuals but pronounced model and shadow pop-in, suitable for basic setups. - Medium quality preset: Improved visuals with richer colors and reduced shadow pop-in, though some animations trigger abruptly. - High quality preset: Balances visual fidelity and performance, achieving acceptable frame rates at 1080p, but lower-tier PCs may experience stuttering. - Epic quality preset: Most visually impressive but can lead to lag on weaker systems; ray tracing does not significantly enhance graphics. - Lumen ray tracing: Activating this mode offers marginal improvements in lighting and shadowing but may not justify performance trade-offs. Avowed includes upscaling technologies like Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR, with DLSS performing better but still underwhelming. The game is recommended to be played on the High preset for optimal enjoyment, with caution advised regarding upscaling options unless using a compatible GeForce RTX card.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Stellar Blade’s developer expects the PC version to sell better than the PS5 one

Shift Up expressed optimism about the upcoming PC release of Stellar Blade, expecting it to surpass the PlayStation 5 sales, which have exceeded 1 million copies globally. The studio attributes this expectation to the growing popularity of gaming in Asia and a larger base of PC gamers. They noted that in the AAA game market, PC devices have a higher market share than consoles. Shift Up is observing trends in the Asian gaming industry, particularly in the single-player action game segment, and is preparing for a strategic release for sustained success in the PC market. To enhance the PC version's performance, they are implementing optimization, improving user convenience, adding supplementary content, and tailoring marketing strategies for PC gamers. They are also ensuring compatibility with ultra-mobile PC environments like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Shift Up's approach includes continuous updates to build a strong global community around the Stellar Blade IP.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Stellar Blade PC Is Expected To Outsell The PS5 Version Of The Game

Shift Up, the developer of Stellar Blade, expects the upcoming PC version of the game to surpass the sales of its PS5 version. The company notes that PC devices have a higher market share than consoles in the AAA game market, which supports their expectations. They are focusing on enhancing user convenience, adding supplementary content, and implementing tailored marketing strategies for the PC release. Additionally, they are optimizing the game for mobile PC settings like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Stellar Blade was originally launched for PS5 in April 2024 and won seven awards at the Korean Game Awards in November. In recognition of this success, Shift Up rewarded its employees with a PS5 Pro and a cash bonus of ,000.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

The upgraded Steam Link app for Android has transformed the way I game in 2025

Steam Link has undergone significant updates, introducing features like HDR and AV1 streaming, and is compatible with over 500 Android devices. It excels in local Wi-Fi gameplay, particularly with controller-centric titles, while performance on genres like RTS and strategy games is less optimal. The app provides impressive visuals and minimal input lag, especially on devices like the AYANEO Pocket Evo. However, it has shortcomings, including cumbersome menu navigation, occasional mouse control issues, and a user interface that can be cluttered. Streaming quality is affected by distance from the router, and it faces competition from other streaming solutions like Moonlight and NVIDIA’s GeForce Now. Despite its limitations, Steam Link offers convenience for PC owners looking to access their game library.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

How to create your own bootable Windows 11 SSD for the Steam Deck

The Steam Deck operates on Linux, which limits access to certain games and services that require Windows, such as PC Game Pass titles and multiplayer games with anti-cheat software. Users can integrate Windows 11 into their Steam Deck by creating a portable version on a USB-C SSD. Recommended SSD options include the Crucial X6 2 TB SSD or a Genki SavePoint SSD enclosure for M.2 2230-size SSDs. To download Windows 11, users should visit Microsoft's website and select the appropriate ISO file. Creating a bootable drive involves using Rufus to set up the SSD with Windows 11. After downloading Valve's official drivers for the Steam Deck, users can boot into Windows by connecting the SSD and selecting it from the drive selector screen. Adjustments may be needed for display settings, and installing the Steam Deck drivers is recommended for optimal functionality. Once set up, users can access a wider range of PC gaming experiences, including the Xbox app for PC Game Pass titles.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

Predicting the (actually very exciting) future of Xbox hardware

A game analyst predicts that the high-end console market may not support both PlayStation and Xbox, suggesting a possible exit for Xbox. However, the relevance of console exclusives is diminishing as PlayStation expands to platforms like Steam, and Valve allows manufacturers to create consoles based on its operating system. Xbox is likely to increase its device variety, with Microsoft appointing Roanne Sones to lead its hardware ecosystem. Under her leadership, Xbox is expanding beyond traditional consoles, showcasing devices like the ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC and mobile controllers. The upcoming CES 2025 will feature discussions on enhancing Windows for gaming handhelds. Both Xbox and PlayStation rely on x86 AMD architecture, and the industry is exploring monetization strategies amid rising costs and stagnant user growth. Microsoft aims to align Xbox more closely with Windows for easier game deployment and potential integration of third-party stores. There is speculation about eliminating the paywall for premium multiplayer gaming in the next generation. Successful execution of this vision is uncertain, as Microsoft must navigate regional marketing and distribution complexities while ensuring a smooth gaming experience and backward compatibility.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Microsoft lays out reasons Windows 10 gamers should upgrade to Windows 11, but I can pick a few holes in these arguments

Microsoft is encouraging Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11, especially targeting gamers. Key features of Windows 11 include Auto HDR for enhanced visuals on SDR games, DirectStorage for reduced loading times and improved frame rates with NVMe SSDs, and Compact Mode for Game Bar for better usability on smaller screens. Other features include Dynamic Lighting for RGB devices, HDR Calibration app, color filters for colorblind players, and Automatic Super Resolution for Arm-based PCs. The effectiveness of these features depends on hardware compatibility, and while some improvements may enhance gaming experiences, they may not be significant enough for all users to upgrade immediately. Windows 10 will reach its End of Life in October 2025, prompting users to consider their options regarding upgrading or sticking with Windows 10.