When DOOM: The Dark Ages launched earlier this month, it was met with the kind of frenzy only a franchise as legendary as DOOM could inspire. Promising a return to the series’ roots with a gritty, medieval-inspired twist, the game seemed poised to dominate the handheld gaming scene. But for ASUS ROG Ally owners, the experience quickly turned from excitement to frustration. Reports of crashes, stuttering, and unplayable frame rates flooded forums, leaving players wondering: Is the ROG Ally simply not powerful enough? As it turns out, the hardware isn’t the problem—outdated AMD drivers are.
The ROG Ally’s Rocky Start with DOOM: The Dark Ages
The ASUS ROG Ally, powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and RDNA 3 graphics, has been a standout in the handheld PC market since its release. Praised for its 120Hz display and ergonomic design (as highlighted in Tom’s Hardware’s review), the device has handled demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring with ease. But DOOM: The Dark Ages proved to be an unexpected hurdle. Players took to Reddit and Steam forums to describe frequent crashes to desktop (CTDs) and frame rates dipping below 30 FPS, even on low settings.
The issues weren’t isolated to the ROG Ally. Lenovo’s Legion Go, another AMD-powered handheld, faced similar struggles. Yet curiously, Valve’s Steam Deck—despite its weaker specs—managed to run the game relatively smoothly, as noted by Steam Deck HQ and Ars Technica. This disparity hinted at a software problem, not a hardware limitation.
The Culprit: Outdated AMD Drivers
The root of the ROG Ally’s woes lies in its AMD graphics drivers. While the Steam Deck benefits from Valve’s tightly integrated software stack and frequent Proton updates, ASUS and Lenovo rely on AMD’s generic drivers. At launch, DOOM: The Dark Ages required features and optimizations absent in the ROG Ally’s then-current driver version (v31.0.14.02). Users quickly identified the gap, with threads like this Reddit post questioning why their devices weren’t receiving newer updates.
Compounding the issue was the game’s reliance on DirectStorage 3.0, a technology designed to reduce load times and improve texture streaming. Older drivers struggled to implement it efficiently, leading to memory leaks and instability. As one frustrated player wrote on Reddit, “The game runs like it’s fighting the hardware itself.”
Community Backlash and Developer Response
The backlash was swift. Social media and forums buzzed with complaints, while YouTube channels like this benchmark analysis dissected the performance gaps. Developers at id Software acknowledged the problem days after launch, stating they were “working closely with AMD to prioritize driver updates” (PC Guide). AMD, meanwhile, faced criticism for its sluggish rollout of handheld-specific optimizations, a stark contrast to its responsiveness with desktop GPUs.
For ROG Ally owners, the situation was especially galling. Many had chosen the device for its raw power, only to see it outperformed by the Steam Deck. “It’s frustrating to have a device this capable held back by software,” lamented a user in this Reddit thread.
A Glimmer of Hope: The v320.21 Driver Update
On May 15, ASUS and AMD released a joint update: driver version v320.21.0019024, specifically targeting DOOM: The Dark Ages (ROG Ally Life). Early adopters reported immediate improvements. Frame rates stabilized near 45–50 FPS on medium settings, and crashes became far less frequent. While not perfect—texture pop-in and occasional stuttering persist—the update marked a turning point.
The patch also addressed broader compatibility issues, suggesting AMD is finally prioritizing handheld optimization. As PC Gamer noted, the ROG Ally’s hardware was never the problem; it was the lack of tailored software support.
Handheld Gaming’s Growing Pains
The saga highlights a broader challenge for Windows-based handhelds. Unlike the Steam Deck’s Linux-based SteamOS, which allows Valve to fine-tune performance at the OS level, devices like the ROG Ally and Legion Go rely on Windows 11—a system designed for versatility, not handheld efficiency. Driver updates must pass through multiple parties (AMD, ASUS, Microsoft), creating delays.
Still, there’s reason for optimism. The v320.21 driver proves that collaboration between developers and hardware manufacturers can resolve even steep performance hurdles. id Software’s proactive communication, combined with AMD’s renewed focus on handhelds, sets a precedent for future titles.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for DOOM and Handheld Gaming
DOOM: The Dark Ages isn’t just a test for the ROG Ally—it’s a litmus test for the entire handheld PC market. As GSM Go Tech observed, the game’s struggles to match the polish of DOOM Eternal underscore the growing complexity of optimizing for diverse hardware. Yet the rapid response from AMD and ASUS suggests the industry is learning.
For now, ROG Ally owners can cautiously dive into The Dark Ages, armed with the latest drivers and community tweaks. The road hasn’t been smooth, but the promise of handheld gaming—AAA titles in the palm of your hand—remains intact. As drivers catch up to hardware, the ROG Ally’s true potential may finally be unleashed.
In the end, DOOM: The Dark Ages serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of progress. For handheld enthusiasts, the message is clear: The future is bright, but it’ll take teamwork to get there.
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