Gaming
ASUS ROG Phone 3 launches, has 144Hz refresh rate
ROG refines its mobile gaming machine
The ROG Phone has been top of mind in the past year whenever someone thinks about a mobile gaming device. ASUS wants a firm grip on that recognition with the launch of the ASUS ROG Phone 3.
As the third generation iteration of this product line, there aren’t any significant, jump out of your seat, wow levels of new things. Instead, the ROG Phone 3 is a refinement of their formula.
Let’s jump right into the specs. It was earlier announced that the phone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus. It’s currently Qualcomm’s best and has an array feature geared towards “elite gaming.”
Elsewhere on the phone, it’s all about delivering the best. Naturally, the specs have been maxed out. Here’s a quick rundown:
- 6.44-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate
- Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 Storage
- 6000mAh battery with a bundled 30W HyperCharge Adapter
- Air Triggers with Enhanced Touch Gestures
- Dual Front Facing Speakers
These are all par for the course and exactly the kind of specs we expected. In many ways, the ROG Phone 3 is a refresh of the ROG Phone 2 with minor noticeable changes — for good reason.
In terms of look, they toned the ASUS ROG Phone 3 down even more, getting rid of the cutouts that mimic the look of certain ROG laptops. The copper cooling vent has been replaced with a single sheet of glass with a transparent window to show off the AeroDynamic Cooling System.
The more understated, but still undeniably gaming look is in line, not only with their ROG line of laptops, but pretty much most gaming laptops of late. Gone are the bulky, over-the-top gaming look for something that looks a bit more subtle.
In terms of form factor and port placements, everything has largely remained the same. ASUS says this was intentional to make sure it remains compatible with existing accessories. That’s a really thoughtful approach.
Peripherals and accessories
Speaking of accessories, the ASUS ROG Phone 3 will come with the usual AeroActive Cooler 3 accessory. It’s a cooling device that now does more.
It now has a kicks stand so you can prop up the phone with the accessory on. ASUS also took away the 3.5mm audio jack from the phone — but this is still accessible with the AeroActive Cooler 3.
As mentioned, it will work with previous generations of peripherals. If you have the entire suite from either the ROG Phone or ROG Phone 2, it’ll work seamlessly with the ROG Phone 3.
The new accessory coming to the ROG Phone 3 is one that will let you connect your phone to any existing game controller you have lying round. It can be the Xbox Controller, DualShock 4 (PS4), or the Google Stadia controller — all will work with the phone with this new accessory.
Armory Crate, Game Genie
Also making an expected return are the gaming-related software baked into the phone. These are the Armory Crate and Game Genie.
Anyone who’s ever owned an ROG laptop should be familiar with this tool. With it you can customize how much power each core uses for certain tasks. You can also modify things like RGB lighthing, fan speed, as well as game controls.
Game Genie is like your mobile gaming assistant. Fire it up and it sends you into this interface where you can toggle all the games you have installed. It’s like having a console interface right on your phone.
It also lets you control the notifications you get while gaming and is also your tool in case you want to stream. You can stream directly on YouTube, but at the moment, Twitch is a no go. This is because there are still issues with Twitch’s API that need to be addressed first.
As for the UI, you can opt for the more stock Android experience, or you can embrace the whole gaming concept and go with the gaming skin. Like on the ROG Phone 2, it comes in two variations — one in black and one in white.
Again, like last year, if you have the Lightning Armor Case it’ll give you access to yet another variant of the gaming UI. Neat.
Solid cameras
From dual cameras, the ASUS ROG Phone 3 now sports a triple camera setup. They bumped the main sensor from 48MP to 64MP. And now it’s flanked by a 13MP ultra wide angle lens and a 5MP macro camera.
These likely won’t be competing against the likes of the Huawei P40 Pro/ P40 Pro+ or even the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, but unlike the very first iteration of the ROG Phone, these cameras should be capable. Not stellar, but pretty solid.
Pricing and availability
The ASUS ROG Phone 3 will come in three variants. They are as follows:
12GB + 512GB — EUR 999
16GB + 512GB — EUR 1099
8GB + 256GB (Strix Edition) — EUR 799
Pricing in other markets will be revealed as they launch on these respective markets.
Gaming
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen to launch on October 9
A massive expansion and a two-phase roadmap revealed
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:
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Title Update 3.1: Focuses heavily on immediate quality-of-life improvements, most notably more significantly accessible map traversal through highly requested Eternal Ferrystone.
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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.
Gaming
Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition styles onto Nintendo Switch 2
Uncompromised action anywhere
Capcom’s critically acclaimed, award-winning stylish action masterpiece, Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition, is headed to Nintendo Switch 2.
The video game company has made quite the splash with its Nintendo Direct announcements, and the title will officially be on Nintendo’s next-generation handheld console.
This officially brings the definitive version of the demon-slaying epic to a Nintendo platform for the first time.
The Digital Version is set to launch in Southeast Asia on June 23, complete with an introductory discount. The Physical Package Version, meanwhile, will follow later this summer on August 28.
Uncompromised action anywhere
Capcom is promising the ultimate handheld experience with this release. Players can expect high-octane, demon-slaying action at an uncompromised 60fps frame rate.
That’s whether docked on your television or played in Handheld Mode on the go.
The definitive content bundle
In addition, the game also comes with an all-inclusive package right out of the gate — no separate purchases required.
The edition comes completely packed with extra character costumes, weapon variants, and the fully playable Vergil DLC.
Here is a breakdown of the massive bundle of content included in the base game:
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Playable Character Vergil: Take control of Dante’s twin brother and greatest rival, utilizing his iconic Yamato blade with an entirely distinct, lightning-fast combat style.
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5 Devil Breakers & Weapon Variants: Expands Nero’s arsenal alongside the Cavaliere R weapon variant for Dante.
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EX Color Pack: Unlocks alternate costume colors for Nero, Dante, Lady, Nico, and Trish.
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DMC1-4 Battle Track 12-Pack: Customize your combat background music with classic tunes from across franchise history.
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Deluxe Additions: Includes Alternate Style Rank Announcers, Alternate Title Calls, and behind-the-scenes Live-Action Cutscenes.
Master four distinct combat styles
The Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition narrative takes place several years after the Order of the Sword incident. It tracks a massive demonic invasion that forces humanity’s best defenders to join forces.
Players can swap between four distinct playable characters, each offering entirely different mechanical depth:
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Nero: The young devil hunter fights using his turbo-charged “Red Queen” sword, the “Blue Rose” revolver, and weaponized “Devil Breaker” prosthetic arms that can pull enemies close with the Wire Snatch ability.
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Dante: The legendary half-human, half-demon hybrid seamlessly cycles through swords, dual pistols, gauntlets, and a weaponized motorcycle, with the ability to trigger a powerful demon form.
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V: A mysterious, tattooed man who commands three demonic familiars—Shadow, Griffon, and Nightmare—to inflict damage from afar before finishing foes off with his cane.
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Vergil: Master of the mystical sword Yamato, his gameplay relies on overwhelming speed, rapid strikes, and his own devastating Devil Trigger transformation.
There are a few titles that an overwheling majority of gamers consider as an absolute must-play for other gamers. One of those titles is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Originally launched for the Nintendo 64, it’s not easy to play the iconic game today. But, later this year, the game is about to get much more accessible. Nintendo has officially announced a remake of Ocarina of Time.
Modern gamers might not realize the effect of the original Ocarina of Time on the RPG genre. Besides adding a third dimension to the then-fledgling Legend of Zelda series, the 1998 game also revolutionized the gaming world by popularizing targeting systems. That, and the refining of the formula in Majora’s Mask, makes Ocarina an essential in gaming history.
During today’s Nintendo Direct, the company capped off the hour-long presentations by announcing a remake of the game. Though the short, short trailer didn’t reveal any gameplay, it did confirm that the remake will retain the original’s more whimsical art style, as opposed to the realism put forth by the Breath of the Wild duology.
It’s not the first re-release for the game, though. In the past, Nintendo released remastered versions of the game for the GameCube and the 3DS. This is, however, the first official remake of the title for a much more modern system.
We didn’t know when the remake will officially launch, but it’s coming out within this year.
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