Elden Ring: Perfect for Handheld PCs

Elden Ring performed exceptionally well on the Asus ROG Ally X. With the launch of Nightreign, however, handheld PC enthusiasts (myself included) are eager to see if this standalone title continues that legacy. Shadow of the Erdtree was notably more demanding than the base game, and as a new standalone experience, Nightreign had the potential to be even more intensive. The good news is, it actually runs smoother than the original Elden Ring.

At first glance, that might seem surprising, but the reason is logical: Elden Ring Nightreign is confined to a single, smaller region called Limveld. This means there is significantly less happening on screen at any given moment compared to the vast, interconnected world of the original. It also helps that Nightreign's environment is based on Limgrave, rather than the later, more graphically complex areas introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree, which truly pushed handheld hardware to its limits.

Can the Asus ROG Ally X Handle Elden Ring Nightreign?

My primary testing ground was the central castle in Limveld. As the largest structure on the base map, where giants hurl massive magical pots, it consistently produced the lowest framerates, making it the perfect benchmark. I started a fresh session for each graphics preset change, as the game recommends.

I configured the ROG Ally X in Turbo mode (30W) while plugged in to ensure maximum performance. Crucially, I allocated 16GB of RAM to the GPU—a key advantage of the Ally X's 24GB total system memory. Most competing handhelds with 16GB of RAM are limited to 8GB for the GPU. These settings represent the Ally X at its full potential.

Overall, the game runs well on the handheld. Performance can dip during intense encounters with numerous enemies and complex spell effects, particularly in open areas. For example, frame rates will suffer if you're surrounded by explosive, blood-infused enemies while gazing across Limveld from a high ruin. However, performance is much more stable in enclosed spaces like dense forests, especially if you angle the camera toward the ground.

At 1080p on the Maximum preset, my Ally X maintained a 30 fps average, with occasional drops to 27 fps (typically after a magical pot bombardment). The only other preset that fell below a 30 fps average was 1080p High, which averaged 35 fps but dropped to 28 fps during castle-top battles. All other presets stayed above a 30 fps average. 1080p Medium averaged 39 fps, and Low averaged 43 fps with a low of 39 fps.

Performance improves significantly at 720p, even approaching 60 fps at times. At Maximum settings and 720p, the average was 41 fps with a 1% low of 38 fps. High settings averaged 44 fps (40 fps low). While Medium and Low settings sacrifice some visual fidelity, they deliver excellent frame rates.

Elden Ring Nightreign Is Perfect on the Asus ROG Ally X

Nightreign looks stunning at 1080p with Maximum settings and plays very respectably. I completed entire sessions on this preset; while occasional stutters occurred, the experience was generally smooth, often hovering above 30 fps. Since 30 fps isn't for everyone, players seeking a better balance might prefer 720p at Maximum settings, which averages around 41 fps, offering a great middle ground between visual quality and smoothness.

For those determined to hit 60 fps on the Ally X, 720p is necessary, and you'll need to lower graphics to Medium or Low. Even then, a consistent 60 fps average isn't achievable—the system only hits that peak in less demanding, enclosed areas. The visual compromise is noticeable, however. On Low settings, Limveld loses its depth, with flat lighting, missing complex shadows, and low-poly structures.