Zephyrus G15 Zephyrus G15

Gaming

ROG Zephyrus G15: Lean, mean, gaming machine

And it’s a looker too

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One of my favorite things about getting to try many new gadgets is that I learn more about myself and my preferences. The ROG Zephyrus G15 (2022) GA503 – which henceforth will just be referred to as just Zephyrus G15 – did just that for me and what I want in gaming laptops. 

For context, I have been sparingly using my ROG Flow X13 for most of my general Windows and PC gaming needs. It’s a great device, don’t get me wrong. But having to prop up the laptop itself along with the XG Mobile to reach its full potential can be quite cumbersome.

It’s a huge contrast to the Zephyrus G15 where I simply fire it up and it just works in a jiffy. And all the ports I normally use are right there, ready to use. I’m a big fan of convenience so I absolutely love it when gadgets just work without much friction. 

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Based on this introduction, I’m sure you already have some idea on what I generally think about the Zephyrus G15. But allow me to discuss it further. 

Tale of the tape

Zephyrus G15

Specs and benchmarks never tell the whole story. But specs are a good place to start. Here’s what our review unit is packing: 

  • AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
  • 15″ WQHD (2560 x 1440) 16:9 240hz Pantone Validated 100% DCI-P
  • RTX 3070 TI 8GB GDDR6
  • 16GB DDR5 on board  + 16GB DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM
  • 1TB M.2 NVM PCIe 4.0 SSD
  • Moonlight White

Some standout stuff from the information provided above are the new processor, the Pantone Validated display as well as the RAM available. This isn’t even its highest configuration. There’s a variant that runs RTX 3080. You can upgrade your RAM up to 48GB and there’s another SSD slot so you can expand your storage. 

Zephyrus G15

That means there’s plenty of room to up the ante down the line should you choose to do so. That’s not something that you can say for every gaming laptop. 

Immaculate look and design

I love that ROG sent over the Moonlight White version for us to try. Black is great, don’t get me wrong. But it’s refreshing to see gaming laptops brimming with power come in other colorways that could appeal to people that are kind of just over with black. 

The magnesium-aluminum lid and chassis also maintain the Zephyrus look giving it a sleek and tough exterior, while keeping the ROG Zephyrus identity. And you don’t have to worry too much about it picking up dust and dirt. In the few weeks I spent with it, it stayed pristine looking despite little to no wiping maintenance. That’s thanks largely to the wear-resistant coating which works exactly as advertised. 

Zephyrus G15

Adding to the overall functional design is the ErgoLift Hinge. This is one of my favorite things about ASUS laptops. The ergolift hinge not only allows a 180° for more flexibility, it’s also just ultra satisfying to move and look at. 

It looks fresh, feels tough, and is relatively compact making it easy to carry around. It’s a looker with some bells and whistles in the right places.

Ports, keyboard, and trackpad

Zephyrus G15

Speaking of those bells and whistles, the Zephyrus G15 is packed with possibly all the ports you’ll need. Whether that’s for a remote setup or one that’s neatly tucked into a home office desk. 

Zephyrus G15

Here’s everything it has to offer: 

  • USB3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (2x)
  • USB3.2 Gen 2 Type-C(supports DP 1.4 & 100W PD Charger), (2x)
  • LAN RJ-45 jack (1x)
  • HDMI 2.0b (1x)
  • Micro SD Card Reader (UHS-II), (1x)
  • 3.5mm Audio combo jack (1x)
  • Kensington Lock (1x)

 

Zephyrus G15

The Stealth Type keyboard was a curious choice but one that I welcome. I was of the impression that the gaming demographic skews more towards the clickity clack of mechanical keyboards. But the one equipped on the Zephyrus G15 is about as quiet as they come. No complaints here though, as it didn’t distract my at-the-moment entanglement in slumber as I toiled away over late night labor. 

Zephyrus G15

One of the best trackpad experiences on a Windows Gaming laptop.

The trackpad, too, was such a pleasant surprise. Perhaps it’s also in conjunction with Windows 11 but using a trackpad on Windows now doesn’t feel as laggy as it used to. On days that I only worked using the Zephyrus G15, I never felt the need to connect a mouse. That feels like a breakthrough as I have never been able to say that for any of the Windows laptops I’ve reviewed in the past. 

Plays like a console

Yes, I paired a DualSense controller with the Zephyrus G15

Alright, before any PC gaming enthusiasts come at my throat, what I mean here is mostly the quality of life things. When I got the Zephyrus G15, I didn’t tweak it very much. Heck, I even opened Armoury Crate less than five times during my time with it. Despite this, it had no trouble running the games I attempted to play. Some of which are even very demanding AAA titles. 

Zephyrus G15

I’m a big fan of tech that just works. Especially with my current workload, the less time I have to figure something out, the better. And that’s the case with this gaming laptop. I simply fired up Steam, downloaded the games, and played to my heart’s content. 

Zephyrus G15

Teen Gohan vs Cell is a classic.

Naturally, I checked the settings on some of the first few games I tried like Control, Genshin Impact, and Dragon Ball FighterZ. Everything was consistently on the highest settings right off the bat. Lags and stutters? I don’t know them. Not with the Zephyrus G15 in tow. 

To better understand where I’m coming from, I own an ROG Flow X13. The one that comes with the ROG XG Mobile. It’s a great machine, no doubt. But to get the most out of it, I still have to hook up the XG Mobile to the Flow X13. Whereas with the Zephyrus G15, I simply have to turn the laptop on. That’s an underrated level of convenience that may or may not mean much for some of you. 

You still have Armoury Crate but I didn’t feel the need to touch it as much.

It’s seriously making me consider trading up for the Zephyrus G15. And that’s just with the raw performance of games. I haven’t even talked about how good the display and speakers are. 

Eyes and ears candy 

Zephyrus G15

Its high-level performance is of course complemented by a stellar audio-visual experience. As indicated in the specs section earlier, this laptop sports a 15” WQHD 16:9 display with a 240Hz refresh rate. It’s also Pantone Validated which is great for color accuracy if you’re working on anything that involves visual media.

But all you really need to know is that it’s an absolute treat to the eyes. The 240Hz refresh rate on the panel is great for first-person shooters. Unfortunately, I am not great at first person shooters. I’d like to take this opportunity to whoever I played Valorant with because I totally dragged the team down. 

Zephyrus G15

This is a “Tomboy” fancam but listen to her album “MY” too!

 

It is a visual treat, no doubt. But like (G)-IDLE’s Miyeon, the Zephyrus G15 isn’t just a treat for the eyes. It also sounds hella good. I spent a good chunk of time watching Miyeon’s fancams on this thing and it’s just a fantastic overall experience. 

I also watched a few episodes of Netflix’s Business Proposal at the time of writing. Really, whatever type of content you consume, it’s bound to look and sound great on this thing. 

Zephyrus G15

Kim SeJeong is just adorable

One thing we did learn is that the display struggles a bit under really bright environments. When taking photos of the device, we opted to step out for natural light. But if you’re using this to work or play remotely, I recommend you find some place that isn’t too bright. 

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Zephyrus G15

The ROG Zephyrus G15 (2022) GA503 is easily one of my personal favorite devices that I’ve reviewed so far in 2022. It’s about as close as it can get to a plug and play PC gaming experience. And that’s not something you can say for many laptops and/or PCs. 

The Zephyrus G15 (2022) brings with it a distinct look, top-notch gaming performance, and a really solid audio-visual experience. As a gaming laptop, this is about as perfect as it gets and is something I can easily recommend especially if you’re willing to splurge for it.

Pricing starts at PhP 129,995/ SGD 1,755/ 

Gaming

Kingdom Hearts IV gets new trailer, confirms Switch 2 release

Collection [I~III] launches October 8

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Kingdom Hearts IV

Square Enix has released a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV, offering another look at Sora’s next adventure and confirming the game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Alongside the update, the company announced that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] will launch on October 8, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. Pre-orders are now open, while a free Nintendo Switch 2 demo for Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind is available starting today.

Kingdom Hearts IV returns

The new trailer offers another look at Quadratum, the mysterious city first revealed when Kingdom Hearts IV was announced.

According to Square Enix, Sora will encounter new characters, visit new worlds, and awaken new powers as the next chapter of the long-running action RPG series unfolds.

The publisher did not announce a release date for the game, saying more details will be revealed in the future.

Kingdom Hearts IV will launch for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Collection bundles the series’ major releases

Square Enix also confirmed that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] brings together Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind in a single package.

The collection includes Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts III, and the Re Mind DLC, alongside several movie and cutscene compilations.

The release marks the arrival of native versions of these titles on Nintendo Switch 2. Previously, the games were available on Nintendo’s platform through cloud versions.

Free demo available now

Players can download a free Nintendo Switch 2 demo for Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind starting today.

The demo includes the opening portion of the game through Olympus, with save data carrying over to the full release. It also features a separate section set in Toy Box, the Toy Story-inspired world, although progress from that segment will not transfer.

Players who purchase the collection or Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind will receive platform-exclusive Keyblades. Nintendo Switch 2 players get Long Night, PlayStation 5 players receive Midnight Blue, while Xbox Series X|S players receive Phantom Green.

Digital pre-orders on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S also include 48-hour early access for Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind.

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Final Fantasy fans have two big reasons to look forward to 2026

HD remasters and HD-2D

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Final Fantasy X-X2 | Final Fantasy Resonance

The latest Nintendo Direct delivered a pair of announcements for Final Fantasy fans, with Square Enix confirming the arrival of classic remasters on Nintendo Switch 2 and unveiling an all-new HD-2D adventure.

First, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster are coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23. Both physical and digital versions will be available.

The release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original Final Fantasy X launch in Japan. It also gives longtime fans and newcomers another way to experience two of the series’ most beloved RPGs at home or on the go.

Square Enix also released a new trailer alongside the announcement.

Final Fantasy Resonance launches this October

The bigger surprise from the showcase was Final Fantasy Resonance. It is the first HD-2D title in the Final Fantasy series.

The game launches on October 22, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Steam version arrives a day later on October 23.

Square Enix will also offer a Digital Deluxe Edition with the base game and additional in-game items.

A Collector’s Edition is planned as well. It includes the game, an artbook, a soundtrack, and a promotional Final Fantasy Trading Card Game card.

A modern take on a classic Final Fantasy formula

Square Enix describes Final Fantasy Resonance as a celebration of both classic and modern Final Fantasy. The game combines retro-inspired HD-2D visuals with a strategic turn-based battle system that adds modern mechanics to the traditional formula.

Players can expect familiar series staples including chocobos, espers, and airships. The game will also feature appearances from iconic characters such as Cloud Strife, Tidus, and Warrior of Light.

While Resonance draws from the first story arc of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Square Enix says it is far more than a direct port. The title has been extensively rebuilt into a full-fledged console RPG experience.

More details about Final Fantasy Resonance will be revealed closer to launch.

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Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen to launch on October 9

A massive expansion and a two-phase roadmap revealed

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Capcom has officially announced Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, a massive new expansion slated to launch on October 9.

Arriving as a complete bundle, the title will mark the franchise’s highly anticipated debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, while simultaneously launching as separate expansion DLC for players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The Dark Arisen expansion aims to enrich the base game’s dynamic fantasy world with three goals in mind: enhanced gameplay, expanded adventures, and enticing value.

Update roadmap underway

To prepare the realm for the expansion, Capcom has laid out a comprehensive, two-phase update roadmap for the base game:

  • Title Update 3.1: Focuses heavily on immediate quality-of-life improvements, most notably more significantly accessible map traversal through highly requested Eternal Ferrystone.

  • Title Update 3.2: Shifts focus toward system and engine adjustments; patch will deliver crucial performance and frame rate improvements, introduce additional save slots, implement system-level save adjustments, alter Dragonsplague mechanics, and further refine pawn and enemy actions.

Three major additions coming

When the expansion officially drops in October, players will be able to dive into a wealth of brand-new content built to push the Arisen to their limits:

  • Forsaken Dominion: Players will travel to Norgan, a frozen, long-abandoned northern region of Vermund blanketed in heavy snow. Home to savage hordes and creatures of immense power, the Arisen must team up with an enigmatic figure named Eir to uncover the dark secrets of an undying Fallen Dragon.
  • The Relic System: Defeating monsters and exploring the icy wastes of Norgan will yield powerful, hidden spoils of war known as relics. Taking these back to the Norgandian Settlement for appraisal unlocks high-tier gear boasting enhanced offensive and defensive capabilities.
  • Lost Rites Dungeons: For those looking to truly test their mettle, the expansion introduces 12 unique dungeon challenges. Overseen by the Pathfinder, these trials task players with clearing deadly gauntlets to reclaim legendary, dormant treasures once wielded by past Arisens.

The robust character creator is also receiving an update with a fresh wave of hairstyles and tattoos via Meszeteres Cosmetics, giving players even more ways to personalize their Arisen and Main Pawn.

Pre-order bonuses and editions

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen will be available in both digital and physical formats. The standalone Switch 2 release will include both the base game and expansion content right out of the box, while existing owners on PS5, Xbox, and PC can simply purchase the separate expansion DLC.

Players who pre-order the digital version or secure an early physical copy will receive the Explorer’s Camping Kit, the Dragon’s Dogma Music & Sound Collection, and the exclusive Norgan Fashion Set: Northern Attire.

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