You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
If you’re wondering whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes full advantage of the PS5 Pro Enhanced capabilities, we have the answer. The game has been designed with next-gen hardware in mind, and it pushes the performance limits of both the PS5 and PS5 Pro. We’ll explain how the game performs on both of Sony’s consoles and what the PS5 Pro Enhanced offers to make the experience even better.
Is AC Shadows PS5 Pro Enhanced?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is PS5 Pro Enhanced. While the game runs well on both the PS5 and PS5 Pro, the latter has a few advantages, thanks to the Enhanced optimizations. These include extended ray tracing for more realistic reflections and lighting effects, as well as the ability to deliver smoother performance in Balanced and Fidelity modes. If you own a PS5 Pro, you’ll get a more visually stunning experience, especially if you have a compatible high-refresh-rate TV or display to take full advantage of those perks.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro performance breakdown
We’ll examine the two options side by side, with differences between PS5 and PS5 Pro leveraging the Enhanced version. It quickly becomes clear why the Enhanced option offers higher fidelity, thanks to its improved ray tracing technology. Let’s compare the two tables.
PlayStation 5
The PS5 offers three distinct performance modes to choose from. Each mode provides a different balance between resolution, frame rate, and visual effects. Here’s what you can expect:
| Resolution | Frame Rate | Ray Tracing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Mode | 2160p (upscaled) | 60 FPS | Selective ray tracing: Enhances some lighting and reflection effects, though it’s not as full-featured as on the PS5 Pro. |
| Fidelity Mode | 2160p (upscaled) | 30 FPS | Standard ray tracing: Offers more detailed lighting and reflections compared to Performance Mode, but at a lower frame rate. |
| Balanced Mode | 2160p (upscaled) | 40 FPS | Standard ray tracing. This mode strikes a balance between visuals and performance, making it ideal for gamers with a 120Hz/240Hz display and an HDMI 2.1 connection. |
PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced
The PS5 Pro takes things a step further with improved graphics, frame rates, and ray tracing. Here’s how it differs:
| Resolution | Frame Rate | Ray Tracing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Mode | 2160p (upscaled) | 60 FPS | Standard ray tracing. Similar to the PS5, but the PS5 Pro can handle the effects more smoothly with its extra power. |
| Fidelity Mode | 2160p (upscaled) | 30 FPS | Extended ray tracing: Includes more advanced lighting effects and ray-traced reflective surfaces throughout the world, making everything look more realistic and immersive. |
| Balanced Mode | 2160p (upscaled) | 40 FPS | Standard ray tracing. This mode offers a blend of smoother gameplay and enhanced visual effects, but to get the best experience, you’ll need a 120Hz/240Hz display with HDMI 2.1 support. |
What is extended ray tracing?
Ray tracing is a key feature that improves lighting, reflections, and shadows in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, making the game world feel more lifelike. While the standard ray tracing on the PS5 looks great, the PS5 Pro ups the ante with “extended ray tracing.” This means the PS5 Pro Enhanced game has more complex and detailed ray-traced reflections, shadows, and lighting effects, making the world feel even more realistic, especially on reflective surfaces like water, windows, and metallic objects.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for the best visual fidelity and performance, the PS5 Pro is the way to go, thanks to its Enhanced status. But if you’re rocking the standard Sony PS5, don’t worry – you’ll still get solid frame rates and beautiful visuals.
About the Author
