My entire weekend vanished into the ROG Ally as I became completely addicted to the seamless handheld experiences of Slay the Spire 2 and the Disco Elysium-inspired RPG Esoteric Ebb. What began as a plan to sample both titles briefly turned into a total immersion, proving that these two games are the perfect companions for portable gaming.
The Handheld Sweet Spot
I entered the weekend expecting to play a bit of everything, but these two titles completely hijacked my free time. Despite being a newcomer to the original Slay the Spire phenomenon, I was immediately hooked. Coupled with the high praise Esoteric Ebb received from my colleague Ted Litchfield, I found myself unable to put the ROG Ally down. It has been a long time since I felt this locked into a specific gaming rhythm, and it is a relief to step away from my high-powered 4080 Super rig for something more intimate.
Why Slay the Spire 2 Shines on the Go
Slay the Spire 2 feels tailor-made for portable play. The deckbuilder strikes a brilliant balance between the frustration of failure and the satisfaction of incremental progress. Even as a self-admitted novice who spent most of the weekend struggling to get past the lobby, the loop of strategizing and re-attempting is incredibly addictive. The “pick up and play” nature of the game makes it the ultimate handheld experience for those who want to jump in and out of a session without losing momentum.
Esoteric Ebb: Surprising Readability
While Esoteric Ebb is a text-heavy RPG that might usually feel better suited for a desk setup, it performs surprisingly well on the ROG Ally. The art style—defined by bold, black lines and high-contrast, saturated colors—makes navigating the world and investigating NPCs incredibly clear, even on a smaller screen. I didn’t find myself squinting at all, which is a massive upgrade over my previous experiences with similar titles. It is a game that invites you to curl up with a blanket and get lost in its narrative.
Performance and Portability
Both games are highly adaptable to the handheld format. While I adjusted Esoteric Ebb to low settings for optimal frame rates and noted that Slay the Spire 2 is still in early access with occasional stutters, these minor tweaks do not detract from the experience. The games run smoothly enough that I rarely find myself missing the precision of a mouse and keyboard. It is rare that I prefer a handheld over my desktop, but these titles have successfully changed my mind.
I am curious to hear what the community is currently playing. Have you found any specific games—new or old—that have revitalized your interest in handheld gaming? Let me know what you are currently playing on the go.
