Gaming

Horizon Forbidden West on PC Gaming Handhelds

How well does it play?

Published

April 19, 2024

Horizon Forbidden West is one of the most visually stunning games today, perhaps ever. Previously only a PlayStation exclusive, the game is now available on PC. Being available on the platform means it opens itself up to being playable in multiple ways. With gaming handhelds being a hot thing of late, we tested the game on three handhelds to see how well it runs.

But first, the system requirements.

Very low (minimum)

Processor: Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB or AMD Radeon RX 5500XT 4GB
Average performance: 720p @ 30 fps

High

Processor: Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800
Average performance: 1440p @ 60fps or 4K @ 30fps

Ultra High

Processor: Intel Core i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900XT
Average performance: 4K @ 60 fps

Gaming handhelds typically have a power output comparable to baseline/entry level gaming laptops. That means these should be enough to handle the demands of Horizon Forbidden West,

So, we’re good on paper. But what’s it like during actual gameplay?

MSI Claw

The latest player from a major PC and Gaming manufacturer in the gaming handheld space has a lot to prove. It’s also the only one in the devices we used today that is powered by Intel Core Ultra. There’s plenty of room for improvement here.

The MSI Claw struggled to run the game the most. On High Graphics Settings, the game would crash within three to five minutes with an error message saying the device “doesn’t have enough RAM” to run the game.

Bringing it down to Medium Graphics Settings makes it playable. But Medium on the MSI Claw looks drastically different from the rest of the devices here. You lose a lot of the visual appeal of the game. And while you can freely move Aloy around, the environment you’re moving in looks like smudged painting.

We’re not off to a great start but it does get better.

Lenovo Legion Go

Having the biggest screen in the bunch, we enjoyed looking at the Horizon Forbidden West visuals on this screen the most. Those eight inches do wonders when placed so close to your face.

We started the game on High Graphics settings and while the Legion Go was able to run it, we also had to run to the nearest power outlet to keep the device running. Also, in High Graphics settings, there’s some noticeable lag and delay. It’s just not the best experience gameplay-wise, but it does kickass for visuals.

That said, the sweet spot remains to be the Medium Graphics Settings. In this configuration we got a workable balance between visual fidelity and gameplay. The power draw is still high but it at least lasts a little over an hour on battery.

ROG Ally

The ROG Ally is just an inch off the Legion Go’s display but you do notice the difference. That said, Horizon Forbidden West ran the smoothest on this gaming handheld.

Unlike the Legion Go, we opted to play on Medium Graphics Settings from the jump. That meant the ROG Ally got a feel for the game pretty early on and ran the game seamlessly.

The in-game engine cutscenes look rough sometimes, but that’s par for the course for the capabilities of gaming handhelds right now. We’re fairly certain this will only improve in the coming generations of this device category.

We spent our longest play time on the Ally because it’s less inconspicuous to take out and play when you’re out and about. Play time on battery is slightly longer than the Legion Go – a difference of about 7-10 minutes. That’s notable if you ask us.

Extra

One of our members got his hands on the ROG Strix 16 just as we were about to wrap up this article. Here’s what he had to say about the experience.

“With the RTX 4080 inside the ROG Zephyrus G16, games like Horizon Forbidden West look and feel like a massive world sprawling with life. While frame rates hover around the usual 50-58 frames per second, the details on the characters and the overworld pop out beautifully. Even when you set it to its most balanced setting, the game still plays out well without sacrificing too much on the details.”

Is Horizon Forbidden West a Gaming Handheld Match?

Like most AAA titles, the answer is “Yes, but.” Yes, you’ll be able to run this game smoothly, you just have to sacrifice some visual fidelity due to the nature of Gaming Handhelds at this time.

That’s not a total downer though. We’re still very much in awe of the fact that you can even run it at all. If your primary play platform is any of these gaming handhelds, you’d be pleased to know that you should get through an entire playthrough without encountering any major problems.

Horizon Forbidden West is a fantastic game, and while its stunning visuals is its primary calling card, don’t sleep on its gameplay, especially when you can play it on the go.

Related Topics:Gaming Handheld Horizon Forbidden West Horizon Forbidden West PC Legion Go MSI Claw ROG Ally

Gaming

Acer unveils Predator Atlas 8 handheld with Intel Arc G-Series power

PC gaming on the go

Published

May 29, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Acer has unveiled the Predator Atlas 8, a new Windows 11 gaming handheld powered by Intel’s latest Arc G-Series platform. The device expands Acer’s growing handheld portfolio and targets gamers who want PC gaming performance in a portable form factor.

The Predator Atlas 8 pairs Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor with up to Intel Arc B390 graphics. It supports ray tracing and Intel XeSS 3 AI-powered upscaling to boost performance while maintaining image quality. Acer says the platform balances gaming performance and battery efficiency for gaming on the go.

Predator cooling comes to a handheld

Acer equips the Atlas 8 with a dual-fan cooling system inspired by its Predator gaming laptops. The setup includes what Acer describes as the first metal fan used in a gaming handheld. The company says the ultra-thin AeroBlade fan increases airflow by up to 10 percent. It works alongside a second fan and Acer’s Vortex Flow design to move heat out of the chassis more efficiently.

The handheld features an 8-inch WUXGA touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and Variable Refresh Rate support. The panel reaches up to 500 nits of brightness and uses a 16:10 aspect ratio. Acer also protects the display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and a DXC coating that helps reduce glare.

Acer complements the display with dual 2W speakers that support DTS:X Ultra audio. Dual microphones with PurifiedVoice AI noise reduction help improve voice clarity during multiplayer sessions and online chats.

Built around the Windows gaming ecosystem

The Predator Atlas 8 runs Windows 11 and supports Xbox Mode for quicker access to games and system functions. Acer also includes an Xbox Game Pass subscription, giving users access to hundreds of games from day one.

For connectivity, the handheld offers dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and UHS-II microSD expansion. The control layout includes full-size analog sticks and dual-mode triggers. Players can switch between instant-click microswitch controls for shooters and Hall-effect analog controls for racing and simulation titles.

A dedicated PredatorSense button provides quick access to performance settings, RGB lighting controls, and system monitoring tools. Acer has not yet announced pricing or local availability. The company says details will vary by market.

Gaming

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has been officially announced

And it’s coming out on the Switch 2.

Published

May 29, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Compared to the crazier news we’ve gotten so far, a new Call of Duty doesn’t seem like it should make a ripple, but it does. Activision has officially announced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and it’s coming out on the Nintendo Switch 2.

This year’s mainline entry has a couple of firsts for the ubiquitous franchise. For one, Modern Warfare 4 will not launch on the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. It’s the first time that the series is dropping the last generation of consoles. Secondly, it’s launching for the Switch 2, marking the first time that the franchise is coming out on a Nintendo system since 2013. Finally, it won’t launch as a day-one release on the Game Pass.

Besides the reshuffling of launch outlets, Modern Warfare 4 will offer much of the same from the franchise: bombastic campaigns with global stakes and a thriving palette of multiplayer modes.

This time around, players will start the campaign as Private Park, a South Korean soldier thrust into a war as North Korea suddenly invades its southern neighbor. Players will also face assignments in Mumbai and New York. Captain Price is, of course, coming back but as an outlaw in pursuit of a powerful weapon.

For multiplayer, Activision promises more improvements yet again for movement and gunplay. Modern Warfare 4 will also introduce new modes such as Kill Block, which features maps that change after every round. DMZ is coming back, of course.

Activision promises more updates coming throughout the year. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will launch for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2 on October 23, 2026.

Gaming

The Witcher 3 is getting a third expansion, Songs of the Past

It’s coming in 2027, twelve years after the release of the original game.

Published

May 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

I feel like Robin Williams in Jumanji asking people what year it is. Yes, the calendar says “2026,” but The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is getting a new expansion, and it feels like 2016 all over again.

Today, CD Projekt Red announced the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, for The Witcher 3, eleven years after the release of the base game. As with the graphics of the other two expansions, the announcement for Songs of the Past does not reveal much about its story. The graphic shows Geralt standing determined in front of an unnamed tree-like monster.

Medallion's humming… that can only mean one thing! It's time to announce The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past! ⚔️

This brand new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will take you to the Path with Geralt of Rivia once more. It’s being co-developed with @Fools_Theory… pic.twitter.com/rrcPXppgdc

— The Witcher (@thewitcher) May 27, 2026

The studio, along with co-developer Fool’s Theory, will reveal more about the game later this summer. The expansion itself is scheduled to launch sometime in 2027.

The biggest question, of course, is where the expansion will take the story next. Blood and Wine, the second expansion, ended Geralt’s story conclusively with the witcher retiring in Toussaint. Whatever happens to Geralt in this expansion will thrust the witcher back into life on the road or recap a past story (as the name hints).

Additionally, Songs of the Past might end up bridging the stories between Wild Hunt and the also-upcoming The Witcher 4 focusing on Ciri’s life. The next mainline entry is still some ways away, though.