The latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has been released, and PlayStation 5 owners may notice a significant difference in graphics quality compared to those playing on the PlayStation 5 Pro. According to Digital Foundry, playing the game on “Performance” settings on a regular PS5 results in a subpar experience, with washed-out and drab visuals. In contrast, the PS5 Pro offers a more immersive experience with both smooth performance and stunning graphics, thanks to its support for ray-traced global illumination (RTGI) in Performance mode.

The graphics options for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on PS5 include “Performance,” “Balanced,” and “Fidelity” modes, each with a significant impact on the game’s visual quality. A video analysis by Digital Foundry reveals that playing the game at 60 FPS on a regular PS5 results in a lackluster experience, with flat and drab visuals, whereas the PS5 Pro delivers a more vibrant and realistic experience with crisp shadows, improved contrast, and realistic lighting effects. This disparity in graphics quality suggests that the game was optimized with the PS5 Pro’s capabilities in mind, making it a more enjoyable experience for players who invested in the more expensive console.

The absence of RTGI in Performance mode on the regular PS5 is the primary reason for the visual disparity. This lighting simulation technology creates a more realistic and immersive experience, with light bouncing off multiple surfaces and interacting with the environment in a more believable way. The PS5 Pro’s support for RTGI in Performance mode makes a significant difference, with more detailed shadows, improved contrast, and more realistic lighting effects. In contrast, the regular PS5’s lack of RTGI results in a flatter and less engaging visual experience.

The importance of visuals in Assassin’s Creed Shadows cannot be overstated, as the game relies heavily on its lighting and atmosphere to create an immersive experience. The difference in graphics quality between the PS5 and PS5 Pro is more pronounced in this game than in other titles, such as Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth or Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. While the game is still playable on the regular PS5, the PS5 Pro offers a significantly better experience, with more detailed graphics and a more immersive atmosphere.

The visual disparity between the two consoles is less noticeable when the game is set to Balanced or Fidelity modes, as these modes include more of the lighting features found on the PS5 Pro, albeit at the cost of lower frame rates. However, the difference in Performance mode is striking, with the PS5 Pro offering a more immersive and engaging experience.

The difference in graphics quality between the PS5 and PS5 Pro is a clear indication that the more expensive console is capable of delivering a more immersive and engaging experience. As future games continue to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s updated GPU architecture, console gamers may feel the same pressure to upgrade that PC gamers have long experienced when considering the benefits of ray tracing and high frame rates.