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One Month With the ASUS ROG GL552VW-DH74 Gaming Laptop

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I'm not gonna lie, originally I wanted to buy a Mac laptop. I like the Apple hardware, build quality and software better than nearly all of the Windows alternatives. And even though I may love Apple's products I don't love the price because when you buy Apple you pay a premium for it. And with that price and quality premium you also lock in to your hardware specs. Apple used to allow upgrades to it's laptop harddrives and ram after your initial purchase but that is no longer the case. I want a system that's reasonably priced, is mobile and something I can upgrade when the time is right. Playing games well is also important to me so after a bit of searching I finally... Read All I'm not gonna lie, originally I wanted to buy a Mac laptop. I like the Apple hardware, build quality and software better than nearly all of the Windows alternatives. And even though I may love Apple's products I don't love the price because when you buy Apple you pay a premium for it. And with that price and quality premium you also lock in to your hardware specs. Apple used to allow upgrades to it's laptop harddrives and ram after your initial purchase but that is no longer the case. I want a system that's reasonably priced, is mobile and something I can upgrade when the time is right. Playing games well is also important to me so after a bit of searching I finally pulled the trigger and bought an ASUS ROG laptop.

Show Me The Specs

The ASUS ROG was in the right price and spec zone as it features an Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2.6GHz, 16GB RAM; 1TB 7200RPM + 128GB SSD harddrive & an NVidia GeForce GTX 960M -w 4GB VRAM. The OS runs on the SSD which means this thing boots up wickedly fast. The ROG features an HDMI port so plugging it in to my desktop monitor and TV is a breeze and after a bit of learning on my part I figured out how to rock a dual monitor/laptop screen setup in Windows 10. I went with the 15" laptop as 17" seemed way too large for a laptop and since the hardware of both sizes is nearly identical, I think the smaller size was a better choice. The ROG also features a nice illuminated keyboard that really helps with typing in the dark. In general the laptop hardware is solid in nearly every respect but I do have a couple gripes with it. The black finish is very neat looking but it's also a fingerprint magnet. It's not too bad but I do have to wipe it down from time to time because the smudges bother me. The other annoying part of using the ROG is that if you bend it slightly on occasion the DVD drive opens. Originally I thought i'd use the DVD drive more but apparently I don't use it at all so the only time the drive ever opens is on accident.

Beyond those minor issues the ASUS ROG is a very solid and powerful laptop. It's not too heavy has a good build quality to it and is very enjoyable to use.

Apparently, Windows 10 Is Pretty Good

I'll be honest, I am not a huge fan of Windows or Microsoft. This is mostly because I found the Microsoft of the 90's to be really bad in terms of it's anti-competitive behavior but recently the company has come around a bit. Windows 7 was a pretty good Operating System and after using Windows 10 for a month I can say that it's pretty easy and isn't too annoying to use. That said it phones home more than E.T. so if you don't want Redmond knowing when you go to the bathroom, I suggest you run SpyBot Anti-Beacon. The ROG also comes with a ton of crap-ware installed and that takes a bit to get removed but after all of that is gone and Windows isn't calling Bill Gates every 5 minutes, it's a solid experience. I can't honestly tell if Windows 10 performs better than 7 but I haven't noticed any slow downs in any games or actions on Windows 10.

This Thing Plays Games Well Too

If you want the biggest bang for your buck in PC-land you shouldn't go with a laptop. I went with a laptop because I wanted to play games and have a very portable system. I also wanted a machine I could hack Cheerful Ghost code using Linux and the ASUS ROG does that really well. It also plays games well, but again, if you want more power for your dollar go with a regular ol' PC. That said, I was able to max out StarCraft II with zero issues and the ROG can also play the new Doom game in 1080p without dropping below 30 FPS.

After using the ASUS ROG for a month I can say that i'm really happy with my purchase. It's a solid system for the price and it plays all the games I want to at a very acceptable speeds. It's comfortable to use on the couch and slides right in on my Desktop and works great with my monitor, keyboard and mouse. If you are looking for a nicely spec'd laptop that plays games well you might want to look into the ASUS ROG GL552VW-DH74.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/05/2016 at 08:06am

Sweet! How's the battery life? Does it get hot?

JaBo wrote on 08/05/2016 at 06:15pm

Huh, yeah, pretty similar to what I bought last year. ASUS G751JL 17-Inch Gaming Laptop
I love mine. Max graphics gaming on a laptop with a quiet fan that doesn't get too hot... I still love it. It's huge though... I had to buy a $100 gaming back pack for it lol. (I use it for school too ).

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 08/05/2016 at 06:34pm

Mmm, new hardware. Does it VR? :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 08/05/2016 at 11:41pm

> How's the battery life? Does it get hot?

The battery life is about 4-5 hours JUST with a browser open doing light surfing in battery saver mode. It's a couple hours if you are playing a game on battery.

It gets how when you have Steam or Battle.net open and/or are playing a game. It pushes hot air through a side fan, and it gets a bit warm on the bottom but nothing too bad.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 08/05/2016 at 11:42pm

> It's huge though...

I bet. That's why I got the 15" :D

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/09/2016 at 12:26pm

I just noticed in the picture you included in your post that the WASD keys seem to be highlighted. That reminded me of a keyboard change I'd like to see. On most keyboards you'll find that the J and F keys have little protrusions on them so that when you put your hands on your keyboard, you know where the "home keys" are without having to look. I think the WASD keys deserve the same treatment for gamers like us. :)

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Funkmastermp Speeds Through The Original Diablo at AGDQ 2016 in 20:35

I just watched a very impressive Diablo Summer Games Done Quick 2016 run by Funkmastermp where he blows through the game in 20 minutes. This is pretty impressive considering the very slow character run speed in the original Diablo and that Funmastermp never gets his character over level 3. Funkmastermp uses a frame timed item dupe to get a ton of gold to buy enough mana potions and items. At one point he needs to get a teleport scroll tome and has to talk to reload the game and talk to Adria over 50 times.

This is a really good run and if you are a fan of Diablo something you should watch.

The Internet Archive Plays With Power By Putting Each Issue of Nintendo Power Online

If you grew up pouring through each issue of Nintendo Power then the Internet Archive might be your new best friend. They recently put each issue online to view and download for your nostalgic retro gaming needs. Nintendo Power discontinued all publications in 2013 but in it's 90's prime, it was the best way to learn about Nintendo games. My favorite parts of the Magazine were the comics and tips and tricks section where you could learn cheat codes and other secrets to your favorite games. The popularization of the Internet made magazines like Nintendo Power largely obsolete in favor of wikis and game sites but that said, it's still awesome that each issue is... Read All

One Night in Karazhan And The World's Your Oyster - New Heartstone Adventure Coming August 11th

It seems the rumors of the new Hearthstone Adventure being in Karazhan were true as Blizzard announced the upcoming adventure "One Night in Karazhan" to the audience at ChinaJoy. One Night in Karazhan will feature 4 new wings you can unlock for 700 gold or buy the whole adventure for $20. As you can see from the trailer above, One Night in Karazhan has a very cool disco party vibe that looks like it pulls many influences from Disneys Beauty and the Beast as well as the John Travolta's disco classic Saturday Night Fever. After the darker tone of Whispers of the Old Gods us getting a more silly party styled adventure seems like a nice change.

As with all Hearthstone... Read All

Nova Covert Ops: Pack 2 Drop Ships In On August 2nd

I'm a huge StarCraft fan from way back. I tore through the original games and more recently, StarCraft II Wings of Liberty, Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void. I'd thought that would be all of the single player content we'd get from StarCraft II until they announced the Nova Covert Ops missions. They launched the first 3 missions and I was happy to give them a good review. So it's nice to finally know that the next 3 missions are dropping on August 2nd. The game picks up where the last missions left off which continues your search for the terrorist organization, The Defenders of Man. I don't want to say more as that's already a light spoiler for the first three... Read All

Terraria Otherworld Delayed - Game Getting Quite a Bit of Rework

Last year Re-Logic announced Terraria Otherworld, a game set in the Terraria-verse that contains more RPG styled gameplay. The initial concept and game shown seemed solid and most Terraria fans were interested in playing it when it launched. As you may have noticed, there hasn't been a ton of news on the Otherworld front and we now know why that is. Terraria Otherworld is getting quite a bit of re-work to bring it up to the level of quality Re-Logic is comfortable with. This means that the game will come out much later than they initially anticipated but it should be that much better for it!

"To keep it short and simple, at the beginning of this year, we undertook a... Read All Last year Re-Logic announced Terraria Otherworld, a game set in the Terraria-verse that contains more RPG styled gameplay. The initial concept and game shown seemed solid and most Terraria fans were interested in playing it when it launched. As you may have noticed, there hasn't been a ton of news on the Otherworld front and we now know why that is. Terraria Otherworld is getting quite a bit of re-work to bring it up to the level of quality Re-Logic is comfortable with. This means that the game will come out much later than they initially anticipated but it should be that much better for it!

"To keep it short and simple, at the beginning of this year, we undertook a full in-depth review of the project versus our standards, expectations, and vision for the game. It was pretty clear to us at the time that Otherworld needed quite a bit of work - and even a good bit of rework - in a number of areas in order to hit that mark.

We then spent some time in detailed discussion among ourselves and also with Engine Software in regards to how best to get things to where they need to be. We then made a list of requested reforms and changes and such. As a part of this, the project team at Engine now has a new lead designer and art lead along with other changes made to better align to our vision for the game. On top of that, our two teams have laid out clearly what needs to be done and are pushing forward executing towards that roadmap to deliver the game we expect - and our fans deserve - as soon as possible."

The game is getting some pretty sizable visual updates as well as gameplay enhancements and more. This should make for a more polished game at launch, something most fans will appreciate. The nice part here is that there was no promised deadline or early access fans to annoy, just the game getting the attention it deserves.

"We will work hand in hand with Engine to keep up the momentum on the work and rework in the weeks and months to come. We are confident in this new approach - but rest assured that we will remain closely involved and will make sure that Terraria: Otherworld gets finished in a way that will be worthy of the Terraria name.

We don't have a date to give you - our focus is on getting the game done right first and foremost. That said, expect it to be a while still - there is a lot of work to get done and done right. As we know more, we will share it - so expect a return of spoilers (though maybe not every few days as before ;) )."

http://forums.terraria.org/index.php?threads/terraria-otherworld-bringing-you-up-to-speed.47302/

I Remember Starbound Before 1.0: A Bit of a Comparison

Starbound recently came out of early access with version 1.0. However, I got in to it before that. I actually played through it a few times. I clocked over 200 hours before 1.0 was released. I've been playing it a lot since then, I even got my son a copy. As I was playing recently, I was thinking about the things I remember about the various development stages that I played through. I thought I'd touch up on them here.

Races:
I remember I started out playing a character of the Avian race. I liked using the Avian’s Tomahawk or Axe, but now I don’t like those weapons. When you click the left mouse button to attack, it raises your character’s hand(s) to attack. Letting go... Read All

Fantasy Flight Games Brings Hell Back To Your Tabletop!

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Doom: The Board Game is the most beloved Board Game I have. Kevin Wilson's 2004 survival classic is one of the most authentic video to board game creations i've ever played. For the Marines, each game is a nail biter as instead of dungeon exploration and the collection of loot your goal is to escape Mars base alive. Today Fantasy Flight dropped news that they are rebooting Doom the Board Game with an all new design to pair up to the recent Doom remake.

"Fantasy Flight Games is proud to announce the upcoming release of DOOM: The Board Game, a completely redesigned tactical combat experience for two to five players based on Bethesda’s blockbuster video game, DOOM.

Glory... Read All Doom: The Board Game is the most beloved Board Game I have. Kevin Wilson's 2004 survival classic is one of the most authentic video to board game creations i've ever played. For the Marines, each game is a nail biter as instead of dungeon exploration and the collection of loot your goal is to escape Mars base alive. Today Fantasy Flight dropped news that they are rebooting Doom the Board Game with an all new design to pair up to the recent Doom remake.

"Fantasy Flight Games is proud to announce the upcoming release of DOOM: The Board Game, a completely redesigned tactical combat experience for two to five players based on Bethesda’s blockbuster video game, DOOM.

Glory Kill your way to victory as one of the United Aerospace Corporation’s elite marines or grab control of the legions of demons threatening to take over the complex. Each side of DOOM’s asymmetrical gameplay introduces an entirely unique way to play, whether you're struggling to save Mars from being overrun by Hell’s most merciless demons or fighting to crush each marine and conquer the planet once and for all. You and up to four friends will play through a series of missions, the marines attempting to achieve a variety of objectives and the invader orchestrating a barrage of savage demon attacks against them. While the marines can respawn after death, they can only do so a set number of times before the demons claim victory over the mission, threatening not only the UAC’s operation, but the survival of humanity as a whole."

It seems the biggest difference is the new Doom game is less survival run and gun and more of a tactical objective based game.

"DOOM provides two operations of six missions each for your invader and marines to battle through. Every mission takes place on a unique map and presents a different set of objectives and threat levels. The objective cards designated for each mission describe the victory conditions for both the team of marines and the invader, in addition to all associated special rules. The marine’s objectives can vary from securing the battle area to collecting valuable assets, while the invader has just one goal—to kill the marines…repeatedly. "

I'm very excited to know more about this new version as the original has a very special place in my heart and I hope this new game captures how great the original one was.

https://drafts.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/7/28/the-invasion-is-imminent-1/

Will The NX Be A Tablet With Detachable Controllers?

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According to some very interesting rumors the Nintendo NX might be a tablet with detachable controllers (seen above) that sports an NVidia processor that you can plug into your TV that will take some kind of flash-like game karts. What this basically means is that, if true, Nintendo's next console will be a fairly powerful system while rooted in a touch interface with a traditional controller attached.

If you've been following the site for a while now you know we talked about some of the things we all wanted to see in the NX back in March. In my article I said i'd love it if Nintendo offered a Netflix styled game download system and that the NX should be some mobile... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 07/29/2016 at 06:04am

I saw two articles about this a couple days ago. I haven't dived into the NX rumors, waiting for something to be confirmed. However, it seems that a lot of video game rumors have actually been based on fact in recent times. Still, I don't know how I feel about it. I'm most interested in seeing if the new Zelda games performs better on it than on the Wii U. That's where my initial interest in it begins. We'll see.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 07/29/2016 at 04:08pm

I wonder if it will work with the wiimote? Also, it will be a definite buy if it has a subscription service for their past catalog.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/30/2016 at 07:06pm

> I haven't dived into the NX rumors, waiting for something to be confirmed. However, it seems that a lot of video game rumors have actually been based on fact in recent times.

It seems most of the rumors point to some kind of mobile system you can attach to your TV so whereas this may not be 100% they seem to point to a system very similar to this, if not this one.

> Still, I don't know how I feel about it. I'm most interested in seeing if the new Zelda games performs better on it than on the Wii U. That's where my initial interest in it begins. We'll see.

I agree. I want to pick this up and my hope is the re-release Wii U games on this so it's more of a insta-buy for me. I really dig the Wii U and it has a nice catalog of games so if they can port lots of those games to the NX, it seems like a no-brainer. To me anyway.

> I wonder if it will work with the wiimote? Also, it will be a definite buy if it has a subscription service for their past catalog.

If Nintendo wants to release Wii games on the NX, it will need to. That said, if it has bluetooth it can. You don't need a physical connection to the console for the Wii sensor bar, it just needs to be powered.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/05/2017 at 12:16am

Apparently this leak was accurate

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Humble 2K Bundle Adds More Freedom Than You Can Handle!

Humble Bundle is running a 2K bundle that just added Freedom Force and Freedom Force VS The Third Reich. Freedom Force was made by Irrational Games in 2002 and is a top down turn based super hero strategy brawler you may not have played. It is heavily rooted in campy comic book stories and when I played it in 2002 I really enjoyed the graphics, quirky story and humor. I'm not sure how the game holds up but i'll be playing it soon and write up some thoughts on it.

The 2K Bundle also contains some really great games in Borderlands The Pre-Sequel, Battleborn + DLC, Railroad Tycoon 3, The Bureau XCom Declassified, Mafia 2, NBA 2K16, Civ V, Duke Nukem Forever, Spec Ops The... Read All