Gaming

ASUS brings the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) with RTX graphics to the Philippines

The most compact 17-inch gaming laptop

Published

on

Shortly after the launch of AMD Ryzen-powered gaming laptops, the ASUS announced the Philippine arrival of the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701). The gaming laptop was first introduced at CES earlier this year and it brings 17-inch display goodness in the body of a typical 15-inch laptop.

The first generation Zephyrus with a 15-inch display is about the same size as this new 17-inch model, making it the most compact 17-inch gaming laptop available. Don’t let its size fool you, because it has the most powerful NVIDIA graphics available for laptops.

The new ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) sports a Full HD panel with 144Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-Sync support. It’s even Pantone Validated for color accuracy.

Inside is an Intel Core i7-8750H processor paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series graphics. Since it’s a gaming laptop, it’s not lacking in ports. It has two USB-C (one with Power Delivery and DisplayPort), three full-size USB 3.1, HDMI 2.0, and a headphone jack.

It has all the features we know and love about Zephyrus S laptops including individual RGB backlighting and the unique Active Aerodynamic System which now has anti-dust tunnels to keep the cooling system clean.

In the Philippines, the Zephyrus S (GX701) will come in three configurations. The cheapest one will have 16GB DDR4 memory, 512GB PCIe SSD, and RTX 2060 for PhP 139,995. The mid-tier RTX 2070-equipped variant is selling for PhP 169,995. If you really wish to have the top-dog variant with RTX 2080 Max-Q plus 24GB DDR4 memory and 1TB PCIe SSD, you’ll have to shell out PhP 209,995.

Considering that the similarly specced ROG Strix Scar II sells for less cash, the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) is indeed quite pricey. Basically, you’re paying a premium for the slim design and a couple of extra features.

Pre-orders start March 1 until March 10 in ROG concept stores nationwide and Octagon in Glorietta. The laptop will be sold in select stores after the pre-order period.

SEE ALSO: ASUS launches new AMD Ryzen gaming laptops on a budget

Gaming

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3

With new gameplay, story details

Published

on

The Blood of Dawnwalker

Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.

The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.

Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora

A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.

Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.

Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.

Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed

A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.

Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.

Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.

A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice

Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo out now on Switch 2 and Xbox

Free demo now live

Published

on

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to more players, and you can jump in right now.

Square Enix has released a free playable demo for the acclaimed RPG on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Better yet, your progress carries over to the full game when it launches on June 3, 2026.

The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2, giving players a substantial slice of the experience right from the start.

A look at the opening chapters

Chapter 1 revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the story — the Nibelheim incident. You take control of a younger Cloud alongside Sephiroth as they investigate a mysterious outbreak of monsters. It’s a story beat longtime fans will recognize, but still hits hard with its modern presentation.

Chapter 2 opens things up. Cloud and the crew step into the Grasslands, where the game starts to flex its scale. Expect a mix of combat encounters, exploration, side activities, and even the in-game card battler Queen’s Blood.

Combat blends real-time action with command-based strategy, now enhanced with Synergy Abilities. The demo also introduces “Streamlined Progression” options like unlimited HP/MP and faster ability unlocks, letting players focus more on the story if they choose.

Pre-orders and physical bonuses

Pre-orders are now open across platforms, with a 20% discount available until June 10, 2026.

Digital editions come with in-game bonuses like Summoning Materia, armor sets, and accessories. Meanwhile, early buyers of the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition get a little extra — a collectible Magic: The Gathering–Final Fantasy Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, available while supplies last.

Preparing for the final chapter

Set beyond Midgar, Rebirth follows Cloud and his allies — including Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII — as they pursue Sephiroth across a wider world. New companions like Yuffie and Cait Sith join the journey, adding more personality and dynamics to the party.

Already released on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game has racked up over 125 perfect review scores and more than 40 Game of the Year awards. With its arrival on Switch 2 and Xbox, the remake trilogy is now nearly fully playable across modern platforms.

That puts more players in position for what’s next: the third and final installment, which is currently in development.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

Published

on

Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.

Continue Reading

Trending