As Halloween approaches, what better way to get into the spirit than by diving into spooky video games? The minions of fright are out in full force, and if you, like me, prefer your chills with a side of cowboy charm, the remastered version of Red Dead Redemption featuring its iconic Undead Nightmare expansion has landed at an opportune moment.
And let’s give credit where it’s due: despite a gameplay experience reminiscent of classic horror flicks, the ROG Ally X handles it well. The device's powerful internals make it an agile contender in the handheld market, reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch but with more firepower under the hood—definitely a leg up in the gaming experience compared to the Steam Deck.
Picture this: installing the game through Steam, and what should have been a seamless experience morphed into a messy chore. From clicking through nested windows to small touch controls, each tap felt like an exercise in futility. The final straw? A series of tedious logins, including a two-factor authentication dance I now affectionately dub “the Windows Tap Dance.” After all this, one might wonder—what about the console-like experience? If only Windows 11 could adapt!
As the weather outside howled at my window, the most chilling aspect of my night was undoubtedly the much-maligned OS turning what should have been a relaxing gaming experience into a tedious initiation of hassle.
Ultimately, let's hope that future updates to Windows refine these experiences, allowing gamers to enjoy hand-held gaming without a curse. As we embrace the eerie entertainment of the season, we can only wish for smoother pathways—much like the serene landscapes of the Wild West. Happy Halloween!
Source: TechRadar Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare is a Halloween treat on the Asus ROG Ally X – but Windows 11 still sucks on gaming handhelds
Gaming Excellence on the Asus ROG Ally X
This remaster, unleashed by Rockstar, has grazed the gaming pastures once more, and I decided to put it to the test on my trusty Asus ROG Ally X handheld gaming PC. The fact that I could access a sprawling, nearly fifteen-year-old title is impressive in itself—especially one as expansive as Red Dead Redemption. I settled in for a cozy Halloween gaming session, gearing up for a showdown with cowboys—turned—zombies.Performance Impressions
Initial gameplay on Medium graphics at 1080p yielded a surprisingly smooth experience. Nostalgia flooded in as I galloped across the plains; however, it quickly reminded me of its age with some evident low-resolution textures. Craving visual fidelity, I cranked the settings to Ultra, only to be greeted by a game stuttering worse than a teenager at their first prom. Opting for the High settings, I found the balance between graphical allure and performance, which, sure, felt a tad sluggish, but hey, it's Rockstar—after all, sluggish control schemes often come standard with their unique brand of charm.And let’s give credit where it’s due: despite a gameplay experience reminiscent of classic horror flicks, the ROG Ally X handles it well. The device's powerful internals make it an agile contender in the handheld market, reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch but with more firepower under the hood—definitely a leg up in the gaming experience compared to the Steam Deck.
Spectacular Visuals
Sure, while the game oozed nostalgia, with haunting visuals like sunlight breaking through ominous clouds and zombies rampaging in nightmarish neighborhoods, particular kudos should go to the audio. The ROG Ally X's sound system produced a delectable mix of immersive horror—growls of the undead to echoes of ghostly cries—all creating an environment that felt like I was right there in the Western graveyard, if I hadn’t already been horrified enough in the game itself.The Vexing Side: Windows 11 Struggles
However, the rub—quite a substantial one—comes from the operating system. Playing a high-octane game like Undead Nightmare on Windows 11 wears the mask of frustration as this OS, originally designed for desktops and laptops, struggles on handheld devices like the ROG Ally X.Picture this: installing the game through Steam, and what should have been a seamless experience morphed into a messy chore. From clicking through nested windows to small touch controls, each tap felt like an exercise in futility. The final straw? A series of tedious logins, including a two-factor authentication dance I now affectionately dub “the Windows Tap Dance.” After all this, one might wonder—what about the console-like experience? If only Windows 11 could adapt!
As the weather outside howled at my window, the most chilling aspect of my night was undoubtedly the much-maligned OS turning what should have been a relaxing gaming experience into a tedious initiation of hassle.
Final Thoughts
All said and done, while Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare on the Asus ROG Ally X is a splendid treat for Halloween, celebrating nostalgia and gameplay, it's wrapped in the impolite monstrosity that is Windows 11 on handheld devices. For those yearning for a more console-like experience, the frustrations brought on by the current OS environment become a haunting reminder that perhaps not all treats are without their tricks.Ultimately, let's hope that future updates to Windows refine these experiences, allowing gamers to enjoy hand-held gaming without a curse. As we embrace the eerie entertainment of the season, we can only wish for smoother pathways—much like the serene landscapes of the Wild West. Happy Halloween!
Source: TechRadar Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare is a Halloween treat on the Asus ROG Ally X – but Windows 11 still sucks on gaming handhelds
