Gaming

FFVII Rebirth PC on ROG Ally

Enjoyable on the small screen?

Published

on

When Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PC was first announced, the clamors were more for the ability to finally see Cloud, Tifa and the rest of the crew in “better graphics.” But not everyone has the type of PC that can run the game with the best visuals possible. Some players these days also only play on gaming handhelds. This quick play test is for those people as we played FFVII Rebirth PC on the ROG Ally.

Yes, just the ROG Ally and not its half-step upgrade, the ROG Ally X. As a first generation device, we feel the ROG Ally is a good baseline to start with. 

Is FFVII Rebirth PC handheld compatible? 

The official Final Fantasy VII account across multiple social platforms have already announced that Rebirth is Steam Deck verified. That’s not the end-all be-all for gaming handhelds, but it’s a good place to start. 

At the very least, it confirms that you should be able to play the game with only a handheld in tow. 

PC Requirements 

Square Enix understands that not all PCs are created equal. That’s why they made sure to release the PC requirements to adequately enjoy the game, no matter the hardware you’re rocking. 

Here’s a look at the specs. 

FFVII Rebirth PC

For a better appreciation of what each configuration will look like, they even shared a PC Graphics Preset Video. 

 

FFVII Rebirth on ROG Ally

So, with all of that out of way, what’s the experience like playing the game on the ROG Ally? In a word: Decent. 

It’s been at least a couple of years now since we’ve seen these PC Gaming Handhelds handle AAA games. And as someone who grew up and started playing first on Nintendo Famicom or the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) as it’s most widely known in the Western world, I continue to be floored by the fact that we’re now able to play modern games on a device we can bring anywhere. I digress. 

FFVII Rebirth PC ROG Ally

The technology is relatively young and does come with compromises. Chief of which is length of play time. Typically, you’ll only get, at most, under two hours of playtime if you’re pushing your PC Gaming Handheld to the brink. 

With FFVII Rebirth PC on the ROG Ally, that experience rings true. 

Playtime duration

To get the best possible experience, I had the ROG Ally on Turbo Mode with the FPS (frames per second) limiter turned off. 

In the first hour or so of the playthrough covering the beginning of the game, the GPU was operating at 95% capacity with the FPS fluctuating from a low of 27 fps to a high of 60 fps. 

FFVII Rebirth PC ROG Ally

In these settings, I was able to play for roughly around an hour and 14 minutes before the battery levels reached red levels – somewhere between 15-18%. 

I plugged in the ROG Ally before resuming my playthrough. 

Visuals and performance

Still playing on battery, I resumed my playthrough. All the while, I didn’t tweak the graphics settings at all. By default when I fired up the game, the main Graphics Quality setting was set to Medium. 

FFVII Rebirth PC ROG Ally

However, other graphic settings like Background Model Detail, Ocean Detail, Character Model Detail, and a few more were set to high. 

With these settings, I tried playing the game on the various modes of the ROG Ally. 

Operator Mode

In Operator Mode, the game had no problem playing cutscenes. But once gameplay kicked in, the lag and stutters were pretty bothersome. I do not recommend playing in this mode. 

Performance Mode

In Performance Mode, the experience was a lot better. If you’re trying to squeeze more playtime while playing unplugged, this is the best compromise. 

You’ll experience some noticeable stutters here and there, especially when there’s a lot happening on the screen. But for the most part, this mode was serviceable. 

Turbo Mode

Turbo Mode is the best mode to play such a demanding game like FFVII Rebirth PC on the ROG Ally. That’s pretty obvious. It’s also still not perfect. 

When you get to the spots where you’re starting to unlock Limit Breaks and Special Abilities, you will experience some stuttering. But it’s not to a level that’s totally bothersome. 

The experiences mentioned above were all done while playing on battery or unplugged. We’re pretty sure it’ll improve if the ROG Ally was plugged. 

We also didn’t tweak the graphics settings at all as we had a limited time to play prior to the official release of the game. Rest assured we’ll conduct more tests with more handhelds and more configurations as soon as we can. 

Should you play FFVII Rebirth on PC?

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

FFVII Rebirth is my personal Game of the Year for 2024. In my spoiler-free review I mentioned that it’s “the game we all envisioned when a remake of the original Final Fantasy VII was first announced. It’s packed to the brim with mini-games, activities, and quest lines that are all worth your time, with a main storyline that is captivating, enthralling, and awe-inspiring.”

About a year later and my opinion remains the same. No matter what type of gamer you are, FFVII Rebirth is well-worth checking out. I feel the overall experience is that good. And I’m happy more players are now able to enjoy it as it becomes available on PC. 

FFVII Rebirth on PC starts at US$ 69.99. 
As of publishing time, it’s still available for pre-purchase at 30% off, which is US$ 48.99.
Related Topics:

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade free demo released

For Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox

Published

on

December 18, 2025

By

Square Enix has released a free demo for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade which is launching on January 22, 2026.

The demo is available on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Players can carry their save data from the demo period over to the full game and claim the bonus items “Revival Earrings” and “Survival Set” in the process.

In addition, the game has Xbox Play Anywhere support. This means players can enjoy seamless progression across console and PC platforms.

Switch 2 users can enter the following codes to download the demo via the “Redeem Code” option on the Nintendo e-Shop:

  • United States: D3GM3304HKQBB2VB
  • Europe: D3GM3304HKPBB2VB
  • Japan: D3GM3304H3DBB2VB
  • Korea: D3GM3304H3CBB2VB
  • Hong Kong and Taiwan: D3GM3304H3BBB2VB
  • Southeast Asia: D3GM3304HY9BB2VB

Meanwhile, the free demo for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox for PC is available via this link.

Aside from the aforementioned platforms, the visually enhanced and expanded version of the original 2020 remake is already available on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Epic games.

What players can expect

In the demo, players can experience the game’s iconic opening chapter, in which the mercenary Cloud Strife and the underground resistance group Avalanche attempt to destroy a Mako Reactor powering the dystopian city of Midgar.

In their fight against the Shinra Electric Power Company, Cloud and his comrades are thrust into a larger conflict that will decide the fate of the planet.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade features improved graphics and performance. Aside from that, the game includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission.

This exciting additional story features fan-favorite ninja Yuffie Kisaragi as she embarks on a thrilling new adventure.

Players can expect expanded gameplay mechanics, refined combat systems, and immersive storytelling that deepens the lore of Midgar.

Square Enix has also released a new One-Winged Angel trailer:

Continue Reading

Gaming

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro might be the comfiest headphones I’ve tried

The memory foam cushioning is divine.

Published

on

December 17, 2025

By

Despite being a self-professed audiophile, I have always had a problem with wearing headphones the whole day. Sooner or later, the weight just becomes too much. So, when I saw the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro with its thick cushioning, it was love at first sight.

But will that love last?

Lookin’ like a succulent pork belly

Obviously, I’m exaggerating, but the head strap really does look like a pork belly because of how thick it is. And that’s not a complaint, either.

The BlackShark V3 Pro has one of the most comfortable cushioning I’ve ever experienced from a pair of headphones. Plus, both the head strap and the earcups use memory foam, so it feels like new every single time.

Over time, I can barely feel the headphones bearing down on the top of my head because of the thick cushioning. I lasted more than five hours before I felt anything. Even after taking it off for a spell, I was ready to get back into the game. For me, that’s an absurdly good record.

The earcups, on the other hand, fit perfectly. For reference, I have an average ear size. A lot of headphones I’ve tried often leave my ears in pain from all the flexing, but the BlackShark’s fit is just right.

A minimalist but elegant design

Besides the nice cushioning, the rest of the headphones exude that elegant look you might expect from more premium headphones. Except for incredibly subtle Razer branding and a thin ring of lime green around the mic button, there’s nothing to indicate that this is a pro gaming headset.

The earcups are connected to the strap via thin metal arms and a braided cable. The same arms offer 15-degree maneuverability to ensure the most comfortable fit.

Unfortunately, they don’t fold, so it’s harder to take these headphones outside. It’s a slight wrinkle in an otherwise stellar design.

Going back to analog

A lot of headphones today prefer using gesture controls over actual buttons and knobs. Getting rid of buttons does help make designs look sleeker. However, it comes with the added frustration of fiddling around with often-finicky gestures.

Thankfully, the BlackShark V3 Pro has a wealth of buttons and knobs for, in my opinion, easier control. This also lends to its credence as a gaming peripheral. When I’m in the zone, I don’t want to mess around with gestures that might not even work.

The left cup has a dedicated power button, a microphone button, a USB-C slot, and a 3.5mm port (for both input and output). It also has a nifty knob for volume control.

Meanwhile, the right cup has an equalizer button, a noise cancelling button, and a dial to adjust the ANC levels. There’s also audio feedback that lets you know exactly what you’ve pressed.

I love this layout. Though you can argue that all these buttons seem like overkill, there’s just something about manually pressing buttons and turning knobs, especially when you’re focused on gaming. It’s like a palpable feeling of turning it to 11 that you just don’t get with gesture controls.

Premium for gaming, a step less for everything else

The BlackShark V3 Pro is a bass-leaning headset. That’s pretty much what you’d expect from a gaming-focused device. A premium on bass helps you feel the immersive thump of gunshots, explosions, and even simple footsteps.

Personally, I don’t prefer bass-heavy devices. However, this pair refreshingly does not tear with high bass level. It offers a pretty rich output for the deeper end of the audio spectrum. An extensive listening session of metal created thrumming breakdowns and heavy drum solos.

However, there’s a clear step down when it comes to treble. It’s only one step down, though, because I can hear that these cans are capable of impressive treble. However, the focus on bass can drown out the other end. I’ve tried adjusting the equalizer, but it made too little difference to elevate the experience for audiophiles.

Additionally, the soundstage feels more centered than immersive. This pair isn’t what I’d pick for long listening sessions. Then again, this wasn’t made for that. This shines more brightly for gamers.

With THX Spatial Audio, these headphones feel more alive during FPS gaming sessions. Another audio enhancement can amplify footsteps, too. The audio adjustment feels weird at first, but it does give a competitive edge for shooters. It’s also compatible with a few other games, including Civilization VII, which gave a pleasant auditory experience.

A much better mic than I expected

The BlackShark V3 Pro comes with a detachable microphone you can snap on to the 3.55mm port. As a pro gaming peripheral, the attachment is expected but not even necessary for a headset of this caliber already.

It’s a fairly decent, well-thought-of accessory. The audio input was, according to people I played with, clear for in-game comms.

Even better, the Razer Synapse app comes with its own equalizer just for the mic. If you need more control over how you want your voice to be broadcast, these headphones give a surprising level of customization. Being easily accessible through the app is a huge plus, too.

In terms of quality, I might still default to a dedicated external mic. However, if you don’t have one, Razer’s premium pair is a great alternative.

Battery good enough for almost two weeks

Razer promises that the BlackShark V3 Pro can last around 70 hours on a single charge. This is a fairly accurate prediction which aligned with how I used the headphones.

As I mentioned, I can withstand around five hours straight of using the headphones. By the end of the first week, I still had a lot of juice. And if I didn’t push it to my absolute limit, I could make this last even longer than two weeks.

Ultimately, the battery’s life depends on how you use the headphones, which differ greatly from person to person. And, at the end of the day, I had no problems with keeping the headphones connected to the long and braided wire.

Is the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever tried. It’s also a premium gaming peripheral that reflects its price point well at US$ 249.99.

Sure, you won’t get a pair of headphones worthy for an audiophile, which makes this a Swipe Left if you are. But as a gamer, these are more than what you need, which makes it a hardy Swipe Right.

As someone who’s both, I’d still give this a Swipe Right. My audiophile side already has a more balanced alternatives, after all. But the BlackShark V3 Pro is excellent as a tough-as-nails daily driver.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Silksong is getting its first major expansion next year

The expansion is called Sea of Sorrow.

Published

on

December 16, 2025

By

I still can’t believe that Hollow Knight: Silksong came out this year. After years of just waiting for the mythical title, it’s surreal to have it in my library. Now, barely waiting to catch their breath, Team Cherry is already working hard towards the next content drop, starting with Silksong DLC.

Just like the original Hollow Knight, Silksong is getting free DLCs to expand its story. The upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC will be the game’s “first big expansion.”

The expansion’s trailer barely shows anything about the new content, besides vague allusions to what’s coming. At the very least, Team Cherry has confirmed, both via the announcement and the accompanying poster, that Sea of Sorrow will be nautical-themed.

It will feature new locations, new tools, and new enemies. By itself, Silksong is already a huge game. Adding more content then is a massive undertaking. Plus, Team Cherry says that this is just the first expansion, hinting at more coming in the future.

Sea of Sorrow will launch in 2026.

Besides the new expansion, the studio is also working on a Nintendo Switch 2 update for the original Hollow Knight. It will add higher framerates, resolutions, and more graphical effects. PC players will also get some upgrades to support larger screens.

The Switch 2 update, which will be free for those who already own the original game, will also launch next year.

SEE ALSO: Hollow Knight: Silksong finally releases on September 4

Continue Reading

Trending