During this lockdown, most of us have been staying home and are looking forward to different ways for gaming and entertainment. The ROG team at ASUS has been doing some serious catching up on their gaming backlog and has compiled a mix of games that are worth playing, along with the machines that they’re playing them on. So if you are just getting into gaming, are a seasoned veteran or are looking for something to play while spending time with the family at home, we are sure there is something on the list you will love. So after much debate here are the top five games for right now!
For the Hardcore
The Witcher 3 (Contains mature themes): If you are looking for a game to invest, no kidding, over a couple of hundred hours into, then look no further than the Witcher 3. Sure it’s been out forever, but it still holds up as one of the greatest adventure RPG games ever made. Oh and don’t forget it’s got two great DLC’s that will easily add another hundred hours. A highly customizable combat style, incredible voice acting and graphics, a very satisfying play loop, an insanely large world that is incredibly vivid in its variety, as well as fun to explore and traverse. The game encourages and rewards exploration, but can still be incredibly rewarding if you just stick with the main quest lines. The ROG team is torn between playing the turn based card game GWENT which forms part of the story. Most of them skipped it, since there are deeper and more rewarding turn based card games to be found in other games, but can still be fun and rewarding for some. Without doubt this is the one game that made all the lists and a must try if you have not already. Also, it’s much more enjoyable on PC versus console with the ability to install mods. There is a plethora of mods available for the Witcher 3 which allow you to create a highly customized experience, to suit your playstyle.
Overwatch: They wanted to include a competitive FPS shooter, and while the traditionalists wanted to include CSGO after much debate they included Overwatch. Blizzard’s competitive team based hero shooter can seem intimidating at first with its large pool of heroes and abilities. However, it does offer some respite by allowing players to play roles such as tank & support that do not require insane aiming and mechanical skills. A good knowledge of the map and positioning as well as playing your role are keys to success. They couldn’t agree to a hero that everyone loved, but Winston was the most popular !While it’s available on all platforms, they feel it’s best played on PC, because of the better accuracy you get with a mouse and keyboard plus the higher refresh rate delivered by PC monitors, as well as ROG & TUF gaming notebooks. Higher refresh rates mean a much smoother game play as well as better aiming performance. Once you get used to an FPS game with a high refresh rate, it’s impossible to go back to playing at a lower refresh rate.
Half Life Alyx: Not quite the Half Life game we’ve been waiting forever for, but it could be the game that finally shows off the capabilities of VR and helps push its inevitable march towards the mainstream a step closer. It does require a VR headset, but does deliver an engaging VR experience while also being a solid Half Life experience and a VR-sually stunning experience. As Half Life fans they give it a big thumbs up and it is a satisfying addition to the Half Life cannon. Currently only PC exclusive, you are going to need a VR headset and a VR capable rig or gaming notebook. ROG & TUF gaming notebooks are capable of delivering quality VR experiences without the need to dedicate space for a bulky PC setup.
They’ve been playing these games on:
ROG Strix Scar III (G531) – With its blazing fast 240 refresh rate screen, Intel Core i7 Processor & the Nvidia RTX 2070, the ROG Strix Scar III can handle any game you throw at it, including being VR capable. Competitive FPS games are this laptop forte, but can handle any games you throw at it. The ROG Strix Scar can also be your content creation powerhouse, and is a great solution for rendering as well as video & photo editing.
For fun with friends & family
Death Squared: Quirky, cheesy, rage inducing puzzler Death Squared got unanimous thumbs up for the ROG team. A game that you can play solo, or best played with a friend (prepare for this bond to be tested) on the couch, Death Squared offers a series of puzzles that require critical thinking, advance planning and some serious coordination. Not the most graphically demanding game, but a game that will make you pump your fist with a sense of accomplishment (or toss your keyboard out of frustration) when you finally finish that level you’ve been stuck on for twenty minutes.
Jack Box 2: There are now 6 Jack Box bundles available, but if we had to pick one we would go with Jack Box 2. Jack Box is the quintessential party game to play with family and friends. It’s super easy to pick up & once you get the game going on your PC everyone else joins in via their phone, making it easy for participants to draw and write their answers. They’ve been playing the game with friends & family via Zoom and Twitch while staying safe at home. Fibbage and Quiplash are our two favorite games in the bundle and are worth the price of purchase alone. Not graphically demanding, but very intuitive and easy to pick up even for those who have never played a video game before. Laughter is guaranteed with this super fun, easy to play party game.
They’ve been playing these games on:
ASUS VivoBook S14 (S433) – For those who want a funky chassis & something that can handle light gaming, the ASUS VivoBook S14 is a great choice. With an Intel Core i7 Processor, a blazing fast 512GB SSD & a dedicated Nvidia Mx250 graphics card, the ASUS VivoBook is ideal to keep you productive on the go. Available in 4 unique colors, it allows you to show off your personality.
