Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora test on ASUS ROG Ally Extreme
| BASIC GAME INFORMATION |
We tested the release version of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora at low, medium and high graphics settings on the ASUS ROG Ally Extreme portable console. Also, during the tests we conducted, we assessed the performance and quality of the graphic display of the game itself.
| ASUS ROG Ally Extreme |
ASUS ROG Ally is an exceptionally beautifully balanced gaming device that promises high performance in the most demanding games.
ASUS ROG Ally is equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 series processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, making it capable of handling the latest games without slowdown. The RDNA 3 graphics engine delivers excellent graphics and supports AMD upscaling technologies such as FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), allowing gamers to enjoy high-quality images and smooth gameplay.
The 1920x1080 resolution on the 7" IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures games are crisp and vibrant. This allows for stunning visual emotion in the most dynamic games.
With 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of PCIe Gen4 storage, ROG Ally is ready to run the most demanding games and access data quickly. The Zero Gravity cooling system allows you to maintain high performance even in the most loaded games, while minimizing heat generation and noise.
ASUS ROG Ally is not just a portable device; It is the art of performance that will bring you unforgettable gaming moments anywhere and anytime.
A detailed review of the device is available here.
| THE GRAFICAL PART |
This subsection of our review highlights the main graphical aspects of this game. Particular attention is paid to the version of the graphics engine used, the version of the API used, graphic settings and the quality of development of the main visual aspects.
| SUPPORTED OS AND GRAPHICS API |
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is supported on Windows 10/11.
The preferred and primary graphics API for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is DX12 .
| GAME ENGINE (SCREENSHOTS TAKEN ON ASUS ROG Ally CONSOLE AT HIGH QUALITY SETTINGS) |
"Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora" is an open world game that uses the greatly improved Snowdrop game engine. This engine helps create the rich and detailed world of Pandora, giving players the opportunity to explore both dense jungles and majestic skyscapes.
Snowdrop's engine features a microdata engine that allows thousands of objects to be placed in a single frame, resulting in extremely detailed game environments. This is especially noticeable in Pandora's rich jungles and unique landscapes that players can explore.
One of the key features of the engine is the creation of interactive shaders that react to the player's actions. This includes real-time wind simulations and interaction with the environment, such as plants that react to the player's presence. This level of detail adds a level of engagement to the gameplay.
Improvements to the Snowdrop engine also include a new volumetric cloud system, which is especially important given that players can fly through the skies of Pandora. This feature enriches the visual perception of the height and scale of the game world.
In addition, the engine supports ray tracing, which gives the bioluminescent world of Pandora a special shine and realism. This enhances the immersion effect of the game, making the world more alive and immersive.
In terms of gameplay, NPCs in Frontiers of Pandora are capable of performing a variety of actions and have unique animations. They react to various aspects of the game world, such as the weather, the player's progress, and the time of day. This adds dynamism and realism to the world.
To provide these features, developers Massive Entertainment have made extensive improvements and upgrades to the Snowdrop engine. They created Pandora, which can be explored from deep jungles to high airy expanses.
Technical aspects of the engine, including interactive shaders and a volumetric cloud system, were implemented to add life to Pandora's vegetation. Players can see this in wind dynamics and interactions, as well as how plants react to their presence.
| DIFFERENT QUALITY MODES |
Well, the difference seems to be small, but the dynamics are brighter and playing at high quality settings is much more pleasant.
| TEST PART |
| Test configuration | |
| Test benches |
ASUS ROG Ally Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD 1 TB - the optimal solution for testing different configurations |
| Multimedia equipment | |
| Software configuration |
|
| operating system | Windows 11 |
| Graphics driver |
AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.10.2 |
| Monitoring programs |
MSI Afterburner |
Our video cards were tested at resolutions of 1920x108 with low, medium, high and ultra default graphics quality settings in a game with and without frame generation based on FSR 3.0. Tests were carried out in operating modes of 15W and 25W.
Performance mode (15 W) :
Performance mode represents the golden mean between energy efficiency and performance. This mode runs the console at moderate power, balancing battery life and graphics performance.
This mode will suit most gaming scenarios, providing enough performance for most games without draining your battery. This is an ideal choice for long gaming sessions where the balance between performance and battery life is important.
Turbo mode (25 W) :
Turbo mode is designed for maximum performance, especially in graphically intensive games and applications. In this mode, the console runs at maximum power, delivering high frame rates and improved graphics quality.
This is an ideal mode for demanding games where maximum image quality and smooth gameplay are important. However, it should be taken into account that this mode will consume more energy, which will lead to faster battery drain.
In Performance mode the game runs for about 1.5 hours, and in Turbo mode just over an hour.
| 1920x1080 LOW QUALITY SETTINGS |
This test used low default graphics settings, with FSR and frame generation settings
| 1920x1080 LOW QUALITY SETTINGS |
This test used low default graphics settings, with FSR and frame generation settings
| 1920x1080 LOW QUALITY SETTINGS |
This test used low default graphics settings, with FSR and frame generation settings
Based on general tests and overall perception of the game on the console itself, the most preferable personally was the last option for high graphics quality settings with FSR and frame generation and 25W operating mode. Sometimes, of course, during the game, staters appeared at these settings, but turning on vertical synchronization at a lock of 30 frames almost completely eliminated them.
So it’s relatively comfortable to play, but still the lack of RAM makes itself felt, because “clean” out of a total volume of 16 gigabytes we have 12 for RAM and 4 for video memory...