"Elden Ring Nightreign Fits Handheld PCs"

Elden Ring performed flawlessly on the Asus ROG Ally X, but with Nightreign's launch, handheld gaming enthusiasts (myself included) are eager to see if it maintains this standard. Given that Shadow of the Erdtree pushed hardware limits beyond the base game—despite being an expansion—the standalone nature of Nightreign suggested even greater demands. Surprisingly, it runs smoother than its predecessor.

This improvement makes sense upon closer inspection: Nightreign confines players to Limveld, a compact map with fewer on-screen elements than Elden Ring's sprawling landscapes. Its visual design draws from Limgrave rather than the effects-heavy Erdtree expansion, resulting in optimized performance for handheld devices.

Hardware Considerations

The Asus ROG Ally X stands atop the handheld gaming PC market, thanks to its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and industry-leading 24GB RAM (with 16GB dedicated to the GPU). While competitors like the Lenovo Legion Go share similar chipsets, the Ally X's memory configuration gives it an edge for demanding titles like Nightreign—at least until AMD's Z2 Extreme debuts in the rumored Xbox-branded handheld.

Valve's Steam Deck remains a wildcard, as its game-specific optimizations (like those previously applied to Elden Ring) could potentially deliver superior performance for Nightreign despite weaker raw specs.

How Does the Asus ROG Ally X Perform with Elden Ring Nightreign?

Testing focused on Limveld Castle—the map's largest structure, where magical artillery from giants frequently tanks performance. Using Turbo mode (30W) with a wall connection and max GPU memory allocation (16GB), the Ally X leverages its hardware advantage over standard 16GB handhelds limited to 8GB VRAM.

Results show solid 1080p performance: Maximum settings average 30 fps (dipping to 27 fps during intense magic attacks), while High preset maintains 35 fps (28 fps lows in combat). Medium and Low presets deliver 39 fps and 43 fps averages respectively. At 720p, frame rates improve significantly—Maximum hits 41 fps (38 fps lows), with High reaching 44 fps.

Elden Ring Nightreign ROG Ally X Performance1080p, Maximum Preset30 fps (27 fps low)720p, Maximum Preset41 fps (38 fps low)1080p, High Preset35 fps (28 fps low)720p, High Preset44 fps (40 fps low)1080p, Medium Preset39 fps (33 fps low)720p, Medium Preset50 fps (46 fps low)1080p, Low Preset43 fps (39 fps low)720p, Low Preset53 fps (48 fps low)

Performance dips occur during chaotic encounters—such as groups of explosive enemies in open areas—but improves markedly in contained spaces. Camera positioning also affects stability; pointing downward in dense forests alleviates strain. While 720p allows occasional 60 fps spikes (especially on Medium/Low presets), these settings sacrifice Limveld's environmental detail and shadow complexity.

The Verdict: A Premium Handheld Experience

Nightreign shines at 1080p/Maximum settings—delivering stable 30+ fps gameplay with only minor stutters during intense moments. For players prioritizing fluidity over resolution, 720p/Maximum strikes a balance at ~41 fps. Those chasing 60 fps will need to compromise heavily with Low settings, though the visual trade-offs are noticeable.

The Asus ROG Ally X proves itself as the premier platform for portable Soulsborne gaming, outperforming expectations while showcasing Nightreign's striking art direction without significant compromises.