The video discusses the significant upgrades of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the PS5 Pro compared to the standard PS5, particularly highlighting the performance mode that allows the game to run at 60 FPS. A key feature of the PS5 Pro is its use of real-time global illumination (RTGI), which enhances the game’s lighting fidelity, making environments look more realistic. The video showcases how this technology transforms various scenes, with improved shading and light bouncing, resulting in a more immersive visual experience.
One of the most notable differences is in the lighting quality. The PS5 Pro captures intricate details in lighting, such as how shadows and light interact with objects, while the standard PS5’s lighting appears flat and less dynamic. The video points out that foliage and natural elements, in particular, suffer on the PS5, lacking the depth and realism that RTGI provides on the Pro version. This generational divide in lighting fidelity is emphasized through specific examples, showing how the PS5’s baked global illumination solution falls short in comparison.
Despite the enhancements in lighting and frame rate, the video notes that the image quality between the two consoles remains quite similar, with both experiencing pixel crawl and low-resolution artifacts. Ubisoft’s pre-launch claims about the PS5 Pro utilizing advanced upscaling techniques don’t fully materialize in the final product, as the actual visual output appears more aligned with traditional upscaling methods rather than the promised PSSR. The video highlights that while the RTGI significantly improves lighting, it does not lead to a noticeable increase in overall image clarity.
The performance metrics are also discussed, with the PS5 Pro consistently maintaining 60 FPS, although there are moments in the game where frame rate drops occur, particularly during intense scenes or when navigating the open world. The PS5 exhibits similar frame rate dips, suggesting that both consoles share performance challenges in specific scenarios. The video notes that cutscenes run at 30 FPS, likely to accommodate the increased complexity of player-created environments and the demands of RTGI.
Overall, the video concludes that Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the PS5 Pro represents a substantial improvement over the base console, primarily due to the implementation of RTGI, which enhances the game’s visual experience. However, it also expresses a desire for RTGI to be available on the standard PS5, even if it means sacrificing some clarity or adjusting other graphical settings. The video emphasizes that Shadows appears to have been designed with RTGI as a foundational visual element, making the enhancements on the Pro feel essential to the game’s overall presentation.
