On the Asus ROG Ally X, Elden Ring performed exceptionally well, leaving handheld gaming PC enthusiasts (including myself) eager to discover if this trend continues with Nightreign’s release. Given that Shadow of the Erdtree was more resource-intensive than the original (which was an expansion), and considering Nightreign is a standalone title, there’s potential for it to be even more demanding. However, I bring you good news: not only does it run smoothly, but it performs better than Elden Ring on the same device!
It’s somewhat unexpected, but not unreasonable: The game Elden Ring Nightreign appears to be confined within a small region named Limveld, resulting in less content visible at any given moment. This is made manageable due to the environment being modeled after Limgrave as opposed to Shadow of the Erdtree, which emerged two years later and boasted more intricate visual effects that posed challenges for my system.
Can the Asus ROG Ally X Handle Elden Ring Nightreign?
As a gamer, I delved into the heart of Limveld, focusing my exploration on the colossal castle at its center. This grand structure, being the largest feature on the original map, offers a challenging battleground where titanic beings hurl colossal pots of magic straight at me. Notably, it’s here that my game’s frame rate takes a nosedive to its absolute minimum, making it an ideal benchmark for performance evaluations. In addition, I initiated fresh matches between each graphics setting adjustment (as suggested by the game itself).
I switched my ASUS ROG Ally X to Turbo (30W) mode, then connected it to a power source for optimal performance. Additionally, I assigned 16GB of RAM specifically to the GPU, which is a distinct advantage given that the Ally X comes with 24GB of RAM. Most other portable gaming PCs have only 16GB of RAM and can only allocate up to 8GB to the GPU. With these settings, the ASUS ROG Ally X operates at its peak efficiency.
On the handheld device, the game generally performs smoothly; however, Elden Ring Nightreign may experience issues when many enemies and visual effects are active simultaneously, especially in expansive environments. For instance, if multiple blood-enhanced adversaries surround you, preparing to detonate at your location while you gaze over Limveld from the ruins’ peak, the frame rate will significantly decrease. Conversely, in confined areas such as a thick forest, the game operates more efficiently, particularly when adjusting the camera angle towards the ground.
As a gamer, I found my ROG Ally X consistently delivering around 30 frames per second (fps) on the Maximum setting at 1080p resolution. However, there were occasional drops to 27 fps, typically after being overwhelmed by a barrage of magic potions. The only other preset that faltered below the 30 fps mark was 1080p set to High, where it dipped but managed to recover, averaging at 35 fps with occasional drops down to 28 fps during castle battles. Beyond these settings, no graphics presets ever dipped below 30 fps. Interestingly, the Medium setting at 1080p offered an average of 39 fps, while the Low setting averaged at a smoother 43 fps with a low of 39 fps.
The game performs significantly smoother when set to 720p resolution, sometimes even hitting 60 frames per second. On average, it ran at around 41 fps at maximum settings in 720p, with a low of 38 fps in just 1% of instances. High settings averaged 44 fps, and the frame rate dropped to 40 fps during the worst moments. Although medium and low settings appear somewhat pixelated, they offer exceptional performance.
Elden Ring Nightreign Is Perfect on the Asus ROG Ally X
At 1080p with maximum settings, Nightreign looks fantastic and performs reasonably well. I had an enjoyable gaming experience from start to finish using this preset. Although the occasional stutter was annoying, it generally ran smoothly and often exceeded 30 frames per second. However, for some players, 30 fps may not be sufficient, and those who are willing to compromise on resolution might find a better balance by playing at maximum graphics and 720p resolution, which maintains an average of about 41 fps, striking a balance between smoothness and quality.
For those eager to experience 60 frames per second (fps) on their Asus ROG Ally X, the optimal setting would be at 720p resolution. However, you’ll need to adjust the graphics settings to Medium or Low for a smooth gameplay experience. Keep in mind that while the device may occasionally reach 60 fps during less demanding situations like enclosed areas, it’s important to note that the visual quality isn’t fantastic. The game, especially when set on Low, tends to look flat with simplified shadows and lower-poly structures, which results in a less detailed island appearance overall.
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2025-06-12 00:28