Ghost of Yotei best graphics mode: Quality vs Performance vs Ray Tracing

Ghost of Yotei is the latest big game from PlayStation Studios and Sucker Punch, and it boasts an impressive open world that stretches across Ezo, known today as Hokkaido. Ghost of Tsushima was one of the best-looking games of the last generation, and Ghost of Yotei is now one of the best-looking games you can possibly play on PS5 or, indeed, any console.

If you’re playing on base PS5 you’ll have three incredibly competent modes to choose between, but if you’re playing on PS5 Pro you’ll be able to choose between four total modes, one of which promises all of the benefits of the others. Just read below for our breakdown of the four graphics modes you can use in Ghost of Yotei.

It's not a graphics mode, but if you're a hip-hop fan you should use Ghost of Yotei's Watanabe Mode.

Quality mode breakdown – Ghost of Yotei

The Quality mode aims for a flat 30fps while attempting to display a crisp 4K resolution. How well it manages to hold that resolution can fluctuate between PS5 and Pro, but if you want more pixels at any cost, this is the mode for you.

Performance mode breakdown – Ghost of Yotei

The Performance mode is the “safe” option, especially if you’re on base PS5. This aims for 60fps with a dynamic resolution that usually looks pretty decent, though those playing on a large display might not be happy with the quality of the image. Still, if you’re on the base PS5 console or are using a smaller or lower resolution display, then this is absolutely the mode for you.

Ray Tracing mode breakdown – Ghost of Yotei

This mode locks the frame rate at 30fps, but in return you get new Ray Tracing visual effects. This is primarily improved lighting details and realistic bounce lighting which is very visually pleasing. The resolution won’t be as crisp as Quality mode, and the frame rate won’t be as good as Performance mode, but it will give you the most impressive visuals available on the base PS5 console.

Ray Tracing Pro mode breakdown – Ghost of Yotei

The Ray Tracing Pro mode is only available for players on the PS5 Pro, and this mode offers the Ray Tracing mode’s visual features at 60fps. This mode likely uses a lower internal resolution than you may expect, but PSSR upscaling technology cleans the image up massively, offering the best possible graphical features at a mostly very smooth 60fps. 

In our experience with this mode pre-release, hitches and stutters outside of the VRR window were very rare, and only one area seemed to present sustained drops. Absolutely the mode of choice if you own a PS5 Pro.

The best Ghost of Yotei graphics modes on PS5 and Pro

Ultimately, Ghost of Yotei’s action is best enjoyed at 60fps, but its visuals aren’t anything to sneeze at either.

If you’re on PS5 Pro, you should obviously use the Ray Tracing Pro mode to make the most of your console.

If you’re on the base PS5, you should choose between 60fps playback in the Performance mode, or nicer visual fidelity in the Ray Tracing mode. Both are decent choices, depending on your preferences and set up.