Gaming

ROG Xbox Ally X review: A proper sequel

A PC gaming handheld built for everyday play

Published

October 29, 2025

We’ve spent enough time with the ROG Xbox Ally X to say this: it’s no longer just a novelty. It’s a handheld that finally knows what it wants to be.

The original ROG Ally from 2023 was exciting. It was a bold step toward making PC gaming portable. But after a few sessions, it started to feel more like a prototype for what was coming next.

This one? It feels a little more complete.

So, let’s talk about how the ROG Xbox Ally X grips better, plays longer, and why it feels like a proper sequel.

Built for real hands, not show floors

The first touch felt awkward — the kind of feeling you get when you’re not sure how to hold something new. But the longer you hold it, the more it starts to make sense.

The redesigned grips, patterned after Xbox controllers, give it a natural curve that rests well in your palms. It still doesn’t dig in as much as the Legion Go S – my personal preference as of writing – but it’s certainly an improvement.

It’s also subtly heavier than the original, yet the weight works in its favor. The balance feels right. The texture, more grounded. It feels made for long sessions, not quick demos.

This is where ASUS seems to have listened. What was once a bit slippery now feels like an extension of your hands. The matte finish stays clean, the edges no longer bite. It’s a small but significant shift — and one that changes how you use it.

There is one thing I found myself wishing for: a slightly larger, and better (maybe OLED?) screen. The size isn’t a deal-breaker, but with the improved grips and better weight distribution, it feels like the device could comfortably accommodate just a bit more display real estate

Buttons and controls that take some getting used to

The button placements might be an issue for some. You know how in controllers, the little top left and top right buttons closer to the middle — in this case, the screen — are universally the “Select” and “Start” buttons? That’s not how it goes on the ROG Xbox Ally X.

The top left button brings up a Quick Settings version of Armoury Crate SE, while the top right one opens your Game Library. The buttons that function similarly to “Select” and “Start” sit right beneath them. And as far as I’ve checked, there’s no way to remap.

That’s quite a puzzling choice, as any gamer with experience will tell you this runs counter to what most of us are used to. Even now, I still press these buttons by mistake.

For the rest of the controls, the ROG Xbox Ally X follows Xbox’s asymmetrical layout. The face buttons feel tactile and responsive enough, so there’s little to complain about. The joysticks feel good, too — though only time will tell if they’ll fall victim to the dreaded stick drift. Other ROG Ally variants had few reports of this happening, and hopefully that remains the case here.

A battery built for actual gaming

We tested it the same way we tested the original: unplugged, Turbo mode, 25W TDP, NBA 2K Quick Play and a few other titles.

Back then, we couldn’t finish more than a single game and a few minutes of freestyle practice before the battery flatlined.

This time, it’s double that.

Two full games before reaching for the charger — and that’s without dialing down the settings. The new 80Wh battery doesn’t just promise endurance; it delivers it.

The cooling system has also been reworked, quieter yet just as efficient. It’s the kind of update that doesn’t make headlines, but you notice it — or in this case, don’t notice it as much.

Together, these tweaks make the ROG Xbox Ally X something the original never quite managed to be — a handheld that lets you play longer unplugged.

Designed for the Xbox era

The Xbox influence is everywhere, and it’s not just branding. The ROG Xbox Ally X now boots straight into the Xbox app, with the familiar button logo acting as your home key. Press it to launch the game bar and help you navigate your device using just the built-in handheld controls.

It feels less like a PC pretending to be a console and more like a handheld that understands both worlds. Although, it is still very much a compact PC.

You can still jump into Steam, Ubisoft Connect, and back to the Xbox app with ease. The tweaks that Microsoft made certainly make it easier to navigate the device using just the handheld controls. But the feel is still more PC than Xbox console.

Don’t get me wrong — it is certainly better than what the original Ally had to offer. Back then, it felt like ASUS built the hardware and hoped the software would catch up. Now, it feels like both sides have somewhat met halfway.

Performance that respects your time

Under the hood, the ROG Xbox Ally X runs the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, but ASUS focused on optimizing what surrounds it — thermals, battery management, and storage.

The internal layout has been reworked to accommodate a much larger 1TB M.2 SSD and 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM. These aren’t just specs on paper; they change how the device behaves over time.

Load times feel a tad shorter. Switching between games and platforms/apps is smoother. You spend less time waiting and more time playing.

The fans, too, are less intrusive. You’ll still hear them when pushing the TDP to max, but they no longer spin up as abruptly. The entire system feels calmer — mature, even.

That’s the word that keeps coming back when describing the ROG Xbox Ally X. It’s the same idea, refined by time and feedback.

Software that finally plays nice

Armoury Crate SE still serves a purpose. You can still tweak TDP, fan profiles, and button mapping. It’s the experience that feels most familiar coming from older versions of the ROG Ally.

Meanwhile, Xbox integration makes it easier for casual players to jump in without touching a single setting. The ROG Xbox Ally X adapts to both power users and those who just want to play their preferred games on the couch, in bed, or wherever, really.

The software is designed around how people actually use the device — not how engineers think they might.

Is the ROG Xbox Ally X your GadgetMatch?

What makes the ROG Xbox Ally X a proper sequel isn’t raw power or a single headline feature. It’s the way everything now feels more connected.

The new grip design complements the bigger battery. The improved cooling complements the quieter operation. The tighter Xbox integration complements the way it fits naturally into your gaming habits.

It’s not perfect — the ergonomics could still go deeper, Windows still feels like an awkward fit for small screens, and this particular 7-inch screen could probably use an inch more.

Overall though, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a Swipe Right. It no longer feels like a prototype or a statement piece. It feels like a handheld built for everyday play.

If the first ROG Ally was the promising first installment, then this one is a proper sequel – one that could pave the way to a blockbuster franchise.

Learn more about the ROG Xbox Ally X here.

WHERE TO BUY. (PhP 56,995/ USD 999.99)

Related Topics:ASUS featured ROG ROG Ally ROG Xbox Ally X Xbox

Gaming

Here are all the big trailers from The Game Awards 2025

We got the return of Leon Kennedy and a new Control game.

Published

December 12, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

As expected by everyone, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took center stage during The Game Awards 2025, bagging a staggering number of awards. But, of course, the annual show isn’t just about recognition; it’s also about trailers previewing the future of the games industry.

In case you missed the greatest gaming show of the year, here are the biggest trailers from The Game Awards 2025:

Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic

The Game Awards 2025 started off with a blockbuster announcement for Star Wars fans. Developed by Arcanaut Studios, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is a successor to the widely renowned Knights of the Old Republic.

Divinity

The next major trailer pulled no stops. In arguably one of the most gruesome cinematics to ever grace The Game Awards, Larian Studios previewed its next game, simply titled Divinity. It’s a continuation of their iconic series before they released the award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3.

4:LOOP

When PlayStation produces a game, you know it’s going to be good. When you also have J.J. Abrams working on it, you’d better stand up and take notice. 4:LOOP presents a roguelike shooter where you save the world by dying over and over.

ONTOS

ONTOS is the spiritual successor to SOMA. And yes, that’s the voice of Stellan Skarsgård. The game will have players discover the truth behind their father, only to find things much stranger than expected.

Resident Evil Requiem

Capcom announced Resident Evil Requiem a while back now, albeit shrouded in mystery. Now, we know why they didn’t showcase much about the game. In its second trailer, Requiem has revealed that… Leon Kennedy is back! And he’ll be a playable character along with Grace Ashcroft.

CONTROL Resonant

Alan Wake 2 was a bright spot during its respective Game Awards. Now, it’s time for Remedy Entertainment to return to its second series, CONTROL. This time, the main character is Dylan Faden, Jesse’s brother. And this time, the inhabitants looks like they’ve gone out of the Federal Bureau of Control.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Lara Croft is back! This time, the tomb-raiding hero is going back in time, all the way back to her 1996 debut. Legacy of Atlantis completely remakes her debut game in Unreal Engine 5. It’s an amazing reimagining with modern visuals.

Oh, and the hype doesn’t stop there. Tomb Raider: Catalyst has also been announced for 2027, which includes a brand-new story.

Orbitals

Exclusive to Switch 2, Orbitals presents a co-op adventure set in a sci-fi world and lovingly animated with retro anime visuals. It also has a retro-themed soundtrack.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred

For the first time ever, a Diablo entry gets a second expansion. This time, the ongoing Diablo IV will get an update that brings back the ferocious Mephisto. It will also feature the return of the Crusader as a playable class.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer

Fate of the Old Republic isn’t the only Star Wars title announced during The Game Awards. Star Wards: Galactic Racer brings the excitement of podracing to modern gamers.

Phantom Blade Zero

Chinese ARPGs are so in right now. Still riding the hype of Black Myth: Wukong, Phantom Blade Zero imagines the world of Xia, a paragon of Chinese heroism. It features a sweeping cast of characters, weapons, abilities, and enemies.

Gaming

Expedition 33 cleans house at The Game Awards: full list of winners

Clair Obscur bagged a total of 9 awards.

Published

December 12, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

We’re finally in a gamer’s favorite season. Besides all the sales, discounts, and newly bought consoles, December always plays host to the highly awaited Game Awards. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the event gives recognition to the gaming world’s most prolific titles of the year.

As expected this year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cleaned house, bagging 9 wins out of a record-breaking 12 nominations. This includes the coveted Game of the Year award.

But Expedition 33‘s haul of awards isn’t the whole story. Other titles were recognized as well. And though it’s easy to say “lol E33 got everything,” it’s time to give those other games some recognition. Here is the full list of winners for The Game Awards 2025.

GAME OF THE YEAR

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
Hades II (Supergiant Games)
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios/Deep Silver)

BEST GAME DIRECTION

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Hades II (Supergiant Games)
Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios/EA)

BEST NARRATIVE

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios/Deep Silver)
Silent Hill f (NeoBards Entertainment/KONAMI)

BEST ART DIRECTION

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Hades II (Supergiant Games)
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)

BEST SCORE AND MUSIC

Christopher Larkin, Hollow Knight: Silksong
Darren Korb, Hades II
Lorien Testard, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Toma Otowa, Ghost of Yōtei
Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

BEST AUDIO DESIGN

Battlefield 6 (Battlefield Studios/EA)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Silent Hill f (NeoBards Entertainment/KONAMI)

BEST PERFORMANCE

Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Charlie Cox, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Erika Ishii, Ghost of Yōtei
Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Konatsu Kato, Silent Hill f
Troy Baker, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

INNOVATION IN ACCESSIBILITY

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Ubisoft)
Atomfall (Rebellion)
Doom: The Dark Ages (id Software/Bethesda Softworks)
EA Sports FC 26 (EA Canada/EA Romania/EA)
South of Midnight (Compulsion Games/Xbox Game Studios)

GAMES FOR IMPACT

Consume Me (Jenny Jiao Hsia/AP Thomson/Hexacutable)
Despelote (Julián Cordero/Sebastián Valbuena/Panic)
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Don’t Nod Montreal/Don’t Nod)
South of Midnight (Compulsion Games/Xbox Game Studios)
Wanderstop (Ivy Road/Annapurna Interactive)

BEST ONGOING

Final Fantasy XIV (Square Enix)
Fortnite (Epic Games)
Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Marvel Rivals (NetEase Games)
No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)

BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
Final Fantasy XIV (Square Enix)
Fortnite (Epic Games)
Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)

BEST INDEPENDENT GAME

Absolum (Guard Crush Games/Supamonks/Dotemu)
Ball x Pit (Kenny Sun/Devolver Digital)
Blue Prince (Dogubomb/Raw Fury)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Hades II (Supergiant Games)
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)

BEST DEBUT INDIE GAME

Blue Prince (Dogubomb/Raw Fury)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Despelote (Julián Cordero/Sebastián Valbuena/Panic)
Dispatch (AdHoc Studio)
Megabonk (Vedinad)

BEST MOBILE GAME

Destiny: Rising (NetEase Games)
Persona 5: The Phantom X (Black Wings Game Studio/Sega)
Sonic Rumble (Rovio Entertainment/Sega)
Umamusume: Pretty Derby (Cygames Inc.)
Wuthering Waves (Kuro Games)

BEST VR/AR

Alien: Rogue Incursion (Survios)
Arken Age (VitruviusVR)
Ghost Town (Fireproof Games)
Marvel’s Deadpool VR (Twisted Pixel Games/Oculus Studios)
The Midnight Walk (MoonHood/Fast Travel Games)

BEST ACTION

Battlefield 6 (Battlefield Studios/EA)
Doom: The Dark Ages (id Software/Bethesda Softworks)
Hades II (Supergiant Games)
Ninja Gaiden 4 (Platinum Games/Team Ninja/Xbox Game Studios)
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (Lizardcube/Sega)

BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (MachineGames/Bethesda Softworks)
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios/EA)

BEST RPG

Avowed (Obsidian Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios/Deep SIlver)
The Outer Worlds 2 (Obsidian Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom)

BEST FIGHTING

2XKO (Riot Games)
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (Capcom)
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (SNK Corporation)
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection (Digital Eclipse/Atari)
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio/Sega)

BEST FAMILY

Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
LEGO Party! (SMG Studio/Fictions)
LEGO Voyagers (Light Brick Studios/Annapurna Interactive)
Mario Kart World (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Sonic Team/Sega)
Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios/EA)

BEST SIM/STRATEGY

The Alters (11 Bit Studios)
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles (Square Enix)
Jurassic World Evolution 3 (Frontier Developments)
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (Firaxis Games/2K)
Tempest Rising (Slipgate Ironworks/3D Realms)
Two Point Museum (Two Point Studios/Sega)

BEST SPORTS/RACING

EA Sports FC 26 (EA Canada/EA Romania/EA)
F1 25 (Codemasters/EA)
Mario Kart World (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
Rematch (Sloclap/Kepler Interactive)
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Sonic Team/Sega)

BEST MULTIPLAYER

Arc Raiders (Embark Studios)
Battlefield 6 (Electronic Arts)
Elden Ring Nightreign (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco Entertainment)
Peak (Aggro Crab/Landfall)
Split Fiction (Hazelight/EA)

BEST ADAPTATION

A Minecraft Movie (Legendary Pictures/Mojang/Warner Bros)
Devil May Cry (Studio Mir/Capcom/Netflix)
The Last of Us: Season 2 (HBO/PlayStation Productions)
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (FOST Studio/Ubisoft/Netflix)
Until Dawn (Screen Gems/PlayStation Productions)

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME

007 First Light (IO Interactive)
Grand Theft Auto VI (Rockstar Games)
Marvel’s Wolverine (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Resident Evil Requiem (Capcom)
The Witcher IV (CD Projekt Red)

CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR

Caedrel
Kai Cenat
MoistCr1TiKaL
Sakura Miko
The Burnt Peanut

BEST ESPORTS GAME

Counter-Strike 2 (Valve)
DOTA 2 (Valve)
League of Legends (Riot)
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Moonton)
Valorant (Riot)

BEST ESPORTS ATHLETE

brawk – Brock Somerhalder (Valorant)
Chovy – Jeong Ji-hoon (League of Legends)
f0rsakeN – Jason Susanto (Valorant)
Kakeru – Kakeru Watanabe (Street Fighter)
MenaRD – Saul Leonardo (Street Fighter)
Zyw0o – Mathieu Herbaut (Counter-Strike 2)

BEST ESPORTS TEAM

Gen.G – League of Legends
NRG – Valorant
Team Falcons – DOTA 2
Team Liquid PH – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Team Vitality – Counter-Strike 2

Gaming

Genshin Impact, Duolingo partner for limited-time quest

Win various rewards by going on a 3-day streak

Published

December 9, 2025

GadgetMatch

Genshin Impact has partnered with Duolingo for a limited-time 3-Day Streak Quest in the Duolingo app.

The collaboration between the popular open-world RPG and the educational app features Teyvat’s travel companion Paimon.

Genshin Impact characters Tighnari and Cyno also make an appearance, as well as Duolingo’s beloved green owl Duo.

From December 8 to 27, players and learners from select regions can unlock the “Genshin Impact Quest” in any course on the Duolingo app.

Users who complete learning exercises for three straight days with receive the following in-game rewards:

Custom avatar “Diligent Study”
Themed namecard “Celebration: Dream Reader”
Unique Sumeru-style dish “Spiced Fried Chicken” and recipe
Collectible in-app statue of Paimon and Duo
Primogems

The reward redemption code can be claimed from the “Shop” page in the Duolingo app before December 30 and redeemed on the title before January 31.

To make the challenges more exciting, all four characters will show up on each quest to cheer on learners.

The collaboration follows the recently released Genshin Impact Version Luna III, which introduced Durin, a new 5-Star Pyro character with dual battle forms. There is also a new story chapter set in Nod-Krai.