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Modern Warfare 2 is here – and landed on current and last-gen consoles on October 28.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is powered by the IW engine, which has been heavily upgraded to make the most out of the current gen console’s beefier hardware. This year’s iteration features a new PBR decal rendering system, world volumetric lightning as well as 4K HDR.
Not only that, but it allows silky smooth performance across current gen and PC, with minimal drops in framerates, even during the game’s more chaotic scenes.
When it comes to the last-gen, the PS4 and Xbox One, there will be some sacrifices made when it comes to both performance and visual fidelity, although some media claim that last-gen has caused MW2’s graphics to be held back. We would agree here, although this is the nature of having to develop a cross platform game across multiple console generations.
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At 4K, expect the PS4 Pro, for example to reconstruct the image using 1080p, which will lead to a less refined and sharp picture. For smaller screens and monitors, this is not a game breaker, but if you’re playing on a large screen, the drop in detail will be noticeable.
That being said, when put side by side, last gen holds up pretty well against the more powerful younger PS5. There are already discussions on Reddit saying just how well the PS4 version performs considering how old the hardware is.
In fact, in multiplayer sections during the beta, framerates were mostly around the 60 FPS mark, which is incredibly good considering how old the hardware is, only dropping during the most intense firefights. It’s likely going to be polished as the game receives updates throughout its lifespan.
In comparison, the PS5 is capable of holding a steady 60FPS and also supports 120HZ at 4K. This drops resolution to 1536p, but it’s a worthy sacrifice and arguably the biggest advantage over the PS4.
The PS5 version will boast stronger ambient occlusion anisotropic filtering and other features, which ultimately will create a more realistic and less ‘jaggy’ image. Puddles boast stronger reflections, there is fewer texture pop in than on last gen – it is not a game changer, but is noticeable.
While on Warzone where sprawling expanses can cause a lot of pain for last gen, as the older consoles struggle with draw distances, in MW2’s smaller maps the decrease in visual fidelity on PS4 is not as poignantly felt.
Those on last-gen can expect similar visual fidelity to that of Modern Warfare (2019), which was a good looking game, especially if you’re just interested in the multiplayer section.
MW2 PS4 v PS5 FAQ
Is MW2 better on PS5?
Modern Warfare 2 on PS5 will benefit from improved ambient occlusion, textures and performance, among other things compared with PS4. However, the PS4 version still performs well and seems to hold a stable 60FPS in multiplayer.
Can PS4 and PS5 play together in MW2?
Yes. There is full crossplay support in Modern Warfare 2 so you can play with your friend on PS5 if you are running the game on PS4, and vice-versa.
