Square Enix has released a long-awaited update for its latest Kingdom Hearts games on Steam, with a major change that fixes compatibility issues with ASUS ROG Ally. This news will come as a relief to many ROG Ally owners who have been eagerly awaiting the chance to play the beloved titles on the handheld console.
Previously, players reported significant losses Trouble running Kingdom Hearts games on ROG AllyFrequent crashes and performance issues hampered the gameplay experience, leading to frustration among fans of the series. However, the recent update seems to have resolved these issues.
Kingdom Hearts' latest patch fixes ROG Ally crashes
To add to the frustration, these problems did not affect rival handheld devices such as the Steam coverlikely due to its older hardware, as the GPU is based on the RDNA 2 architecture. Thankfully, that's now a thing of the past, and the Kingdom Hearts patch notes reveal hardware fixes for RX 7000 series hardware “including the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT and AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT” as well as the “ASUS ROG Ally RC71L-Z1E512.”
From Square Enix patch notes Explains which titles are affected by this new fix:
KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-
- KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX
- KINGDOM HEARTS Re: Chain of Memories
- KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX
- Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX
Prologue to the final chapter of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8
- Kingdom Hearts: Dream Fall Distance HD
- KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover
For reference, Kingdom Hearts 3 didn't seem to have this issue in the first place, so the fix is relevant for older titles.
Users confirm that this is a successful patch
A ROG Ally user, who has been testing the updated version of Kingdom Hearts I, has confirmed via Reddit that the game now runs smoothly and without any glitches. They have been able to play for over an hour without encountering any issues, a significant improvement over the previous experience. It is worth noting that the original patch note refers to the original ROG Ally, and not the Ally X, but Another user reports which also works well in the revised 2024 model.
The user also praised the gaming performance on the ROG Ally. They reported that Kingdom Hearts I runs beautifully and is power-efficient, allowing for extended gaming sessions in silent mode with high frame rates per second. The game is said to consume an average of just 11 watts, making it ideal for gaming on the go. This update marks a significant milestone for ROG Ally owners who have been eagerly awaiting the chance to play the Kingdom Hearts series on their handheld console.
This is excellent news for the ROG Ally, which solidifies its position as a competitive handheld console. By solving the compatibility issues with Kingdom Hearts, the Ally demonstrates its ability to handle a wider range of games, making it more attractive to potential users. This update also highlights the versatility of the Ally and its potential to compete with other handheld consoles like the Steam Deck, especially for those who prioritize the ability to play popular franchises like Kingdom Hearts. However, the shaky start with this title may have done a little damage overall.
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