Performance Overview
This is unsurprising given the power of the ASUS ROG Ally, but Diablo 4 runs extremely well on the handheld.
There is a problem with the main, online hubs, though. Frames will plummet here, but the moment you switch back to the overworld, things go back to normal.
It’s also worth noting the problem is less of an issue on the Ally than it is on Steam Deck. Inside the online areas, frames drop to the low 40s upon loading in then settle a bit to between 50 to 55. When you’re back out exploring, frames generally stick to around 60. They will go lower, but it’s not as noticeable and you’ll rarely feel it.
You can always switch modes from Performance at 15 watts to Turbo at 25 watts. Turbo Mode can reach frames in the 70s to 80s in some places, but with great frames comes a higher battery drain – around two hours in Performance Mode compared with Turbo Mode’s one hour 30.
If you’re near a charger, you can always plug in for an even bigger boost with Turbo Mode at 30 watts.
Recommended Settings
My settings below offer up crisp visuals and solid performance within the ASUS ROG Ally’s Performance Mode at 15 watts.
In terms of watts, this profile is on par with the Steam Deck but results in a less blurry picture while also offering up more frames per second.
As noted above, the amount of frames you’ll see is all down to how much battery life you’re willing to sacrifice. At 15 watts, the game runs well, looks great, and lasts for two hours. If you want more frames you can up the power in Turbo Mode but I don’t feel it adds enough. Plus you’ll lose 30 minutes of total playtime, so the extra 20-ish frames isn’t worth it.
Of course, if you really want to push things you could hook up the XG Mobile 4090, which I did, for science. With that monster attached the Ally can output 60 frames in all areas on max settings. And yes, it looks as good as you’re thinking.
| Diablo 4 (In-game Settings) | |
| Resolution | 1280×720 (16:9) |
| Sharpen Image | 6 |
| Font Scale | Large |
| HDR | Off |
| Vertical Sync | On |
| Limit Cutscene FPS | On |
| Font Scale | Large |
| Performance Settings | |
| FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 | Off |
| Quality Settings | |
| Texture Quality | Medium |
| Anisotropic Filtering | 4x |
| Shadow Quality | Medium |
| Dynamic Shadows | On |
| Soft Shadows | On |
| Shader Quality | Medium |
| SSAO Quality | Low |
| Fog Quality | Medium |
| Water Simulation Quality | Low |
| Anti-Aliasing Quality | Low |
| Geometric Quality | Medium |
| Terrain Geometry Detail | High |
| Physics Quality | High |
| Particles Quality | Medium |
| Reflection Quality | High |
| Screen Space Reflections | On |
| Distortion | On |
| Low FX Quality | Off |
| ASUS ROG Ally Settings | |
| Profile: Performance 15w (50-60 frames per second) | Estimated Battery Life: 2 Hours |
| Docked Mode Resolution: 1280×720 | RSR: On |
| GPU Usage: 96% | CPU Usage: 51% |
| RAM Usage: 92% | Temperature: 76 degrees |
| Performance Rating: 4/5 | |
Bugs and Issues
Aside from the aforementioned frame drops, there is an issue with occasional stuttery when switching between hubs and the overworld. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t touch on it. It’s fine, though, honestly.
Steam Deck Comparison
The Steam Deck can reach 60 frames per second in certain areas, but the experience isn’t as smooth as it is on the Ally. Plus the Steam Deck needs to run the game on low settings compared with the mix of medium and high on the Ally.
You’ll also need to install Diablo 4.net onto the Steam Deck by adding Battle.net as a non-Steam game and running it with a specific version of Proton-GE, which isn’t anywhere near as simple as it is on the Ally.
If you’re interested to learn more about the differences between the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, I own both and have an extensive guide to walk you through what’s what.
Verdict
Diablo 4 running at 25 watts in Turbo Mode on the ASUS ROG Ally.
Diablo 4 has game-of-the-year potential and I’m loving it so far. It’s moreish, exciting, and the perfect game to zone out to on a weekend.
Performance on the ASUS ROG Ally is excellent all things considered. Given Diablo 4 is a game primarily for PCs, the fact it runs this well is legit impressive.
If you’ve yet to pick it up on the Ally, Diablo 4 comes easy to recommend.
All screenshots captured on ASUS ROG Ally. | A copy of Diablo 4 was purchased from Battle.Net. | To learn more about our review policy click here. | Alternatively, click here to find out why you can trust me.
