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For most players, start with Performance on a standard PS5 and a 60 Hz television. It targets 60 frames per second and makes combat, camera movement and traversal feel substantially more responsive than the 30 fps fidelity modes. Choose Quality when fine image detail matters more than motion, Ray Tracing when lighting is your priority, or Balanced/Ray Tracing Balanced when you have a 120 Hz display. On PS5 Pro, Ray Tracing Pro is the strongest all-round starting point: it targets 60 fps while adding ray-traced global illumination and using PSSR reconstruction. HDR has no universal slider value; calibrate the PS5 first, then tune the game for your television and room.
Quick recommendations by TV and console
| Setup | Start with | What you gain | Main compromise or requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard PS5 with a 60 Hz TV | Performance | 60 fps target and the most responsive controls | Lower dynamic resolution than Quality |
| Standard PS5 with a 60 Hz TV, image-quality priority | Quality | Higher dynamic resolution and a sharper image | 30 fps target |
| Standard PS5 with a 60 Hz TV, lighting priority | Ray Tracing | Ray-traced lighting | 30 fps target and lower resolution than Quality |
| Standard PS5 with a 120 Hz VRR TV | Balanced or Ray Tracing Balanced | 40 fps target with better image quality or lighting than Performance | Requires a 120 Hz display; VRR is useful for uneven output |
| PS5 Pro | Ray Tracing Pro | Ray-traced global illumination at a 60 fps target with PSSR reconstruction | Internal rendering resolution is lower before reconstruction |
| PS5 Pro with a 120 Hz VRR TV | Ray Tracing Pro with VRR Uncapped | Higher-than-60-fps output in scenes where the console has headroom | Frame rate fluctuates; reported testing was roughly 70–90 fps, not a guarantee |
These are sensible starting points, not permanent rules. Your screen size, viewing distance, room lighting and sensitivity to 30, 40 or 60 fps should decide the final choice.
What each Ghost of Yōtei graphics mode does
Performance
Performance is the default recommendation for a standard PS5 connected to a 60 Hz display. It targets 60 fps, so camera pans, sword swings and riding feel considerably smoother than in the 30 fps modes. An independent 2026 mode guide measured dynamic output closer to 1080p than to 4K. The resolution can change with scene complexity, so “1080p” is an approximate internal target rather than a fixed output specification. Fine foliage, distant architecture and small text can look softer than in Quality, especially on a large 4K screen viewed from close range.
Quality
Quality targets 30 fps and allocates more rendering time to resolution and image detail. The same guide measured output slightly below 4K on a standard PS5. This mode is the better fit for a slower, cinematic play style, a very large screen where extra detail is easy to see, or players who prefer a steadier-looking image to faster response. A 30 fps target does not mean every frame arrives at exactly the same interval in every scene; it describes the mode’s intended performance level.
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Ray Tracing
Ray Tracing also targets 30 fps, with an approximate rendering resolution around 1440p in the independent measurements. Its purpose is more realistic lighting rather than maximum sharpness. Reflections, indirect illumination and the way light settles into nearby surfaces can look more natural, but the image is not as crisp as Quality in scenes where the two modes are otherwise similar. Select it when lighting differences matter more to you than resolution and you are comfortable with 30 fps.
Balanced
Balanced targets 40 fps and is designed for a 120 Hz display. Forty frames per second is a useful middle ground: it is visibly smoother and more responsive than 30 fps while allowing more image quality than a 60 fps Performance mode can normally sustain. A 60 Hz television cannot display this cadence correctly, so the game requires a 120 Hz-capable screen for Balanced.
Ray Tracing Balanced
Ray Tracing Balanced uses the same 40 fps class of output while retaining ray-traced lighting features. It is the choice for a 120 Hz owner who wants a lighting upgrade without dropping to a 30 fps target. The exact balance between resolution and effects can vary by scene, and the mode should be judged from your own seating distance rather than from a single screenshot.
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| Mode | Target frame rate | Approximate dynamic resolution reported | Lighting approach | Display requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 30 fps | Slightly below 4K | Fidelity-focused rendering | 60 Hz is sufficient |
| Performance | 60 fps | Closer to 1080p | Performance-focused rendering | 60 Hz is sufficient |
| Ray Tracing | 30 fps | Around 1440p | Ray-traced lighting | 60 Hz is sufficient |
| Balanced | 40 fps | Not stated as a fixed figure; varies dynamically | Higher-fidelity balance without the ray-tracing option | 120 Hz display required |
| Ray Tracing Balanced | 40 fps | Not stated as a fixed figure; varies dynamically | Ray-traced lighting | 120 Hz display required |
The figures in this table are approximate measurements from an independent 2026 guide, not fixed output guarantees from the developer. Dynamic resolution, scene complexity and later game updates can change the result.
Choosing by the way you play
If you notice judder or input delay first
Use Performance on a 60 Hz screen. The 60 fps target reduces the visible stepping in camera movement and gives attacks and parries more immediate feedback. If you own a 120 Hz display, try Balanced before moving to Performance; 40 fps often preserves enough fluidity while improving fine detail.
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If you sit close to a large 4K screen
Start with Quality. Its higher dynamic resolution makes distant rooflines, rock edges and vegetation less soft. Switch to Performance if the 30 fps cadence bothers you during combat or exploration. The best-looking still image is not automatically the best mode for a game that you move the camera through constantly.
If lighting and atmosphere are your priority
Choose Ray Tracing on a 60 Hz set, or Ray Tracing Balanced on a 120 Hz set. Compare the same location at different times of day: ray-traced lighting is easiest to appreciate in scenes with strong indirect light, shadowed structures and reflective surfaces.
PS5 Pro settings
Quality, Performance and Ray Tracing
The independent mode guide measured PS5 Pro Quality at about 4K/30, Performance at about 1440p/60 and Ray Tracing around 1728p/30. These are dynamic or approximate values. Quality remains the resolution-first option, Performance remains the responsiveness-first option, and Ray Tracing spends more of the Pro’s budget on lighting while retaining a 30 fps target.
Ray Tracing Pro
Ray Tracing Pro is the recommended starting point for most PS5 Pro owners. It targets 60 fps, adds ray-traced global illumination for short-range lighting, and uses PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) to reconstruct detail. The guide measured roughly 1080p internal rendering before PSSR reconstruction. A lower internal resolution is therefore not evidence that the final image will look like a native 1080p image; reconstruction quality, motion stability and the scene itself determine the result.
Sucker Punch programming director Adrian Bentley explained on the PlayStation Blog on October 23, 2025: “As a native PS5 game, we knew we wanted to improve image quality by leveraging some of the platform’s newer technology.” The developer describes PSSR as helping fine architectural and foliage detail remain more stable in motion. Sucker Punch also described a scene containing more than one million trees, rocks and bushes that is culled to about 60,000 rendered items, illustrating why the game must constantly balance detail, visibility and performance.
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Ray Tracing Pro with VRR Uncapped
On a 120 Hz VRR display, VRR Uncapped allows the Pro to render above the 60 fps target when a scene has spare capacity. The independent guide reported roughly 70–90 fps in its testing, but output varies by scene and should not be treated as a guaranteed range. Use it if you prefer the lowest possible latency and accept that the frame rate will move up and down. If an unlocked image feels inconsistent, return to the capped 60 fps behavior.
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A 120 Hz panel refreshes twice as often as a 60 Hz panel, giving a 40 fps game cadence that divides evenly into the refresh cycle. That is why Balanced modes require 120 Hz rather than merely benefiting from it. Without 120 Hz, stay with the capped 30 or 60 fps modes.
Variable refresh rate (VRR) lets the display adjust its refresh timing to the console’s current frame delivery. It is particularly useful for VRR Uncapped, where output is intentionally allowed to fluctuate. VRR cannot turn a 30 fps mode into a 60 fps mode and cannot restore detail lost to a lower-resolution mode; it mainly reduces visible tearing and uneven pacing within the display’s supported range.
Enable 120 Hz and VRR on PS5
- Open Settings on the PS5 home screen.
- Choose Screen and Video, then open Video Output.
- Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic if that option is available.
- Set VRR to Automatic. Use the option to apply VRR to unsupported games only if you understand that it can produce unexpected behavior; Ghost of Yōtei’s supported VRR modes do not require that workaround.
- On the television, select the HDMI input’s enhanced, high-bandwidth or game mode as named by that manufacturer, and confirm that the input reports a 120 Hz signal when the game is running.
- If you pass the PS5 through an AV receiver or soundbar, every device in the chain must support the required 4K/120 Hz and HDMI 2.1 VRR bandwidth. A certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable is sensible only when the console port, display and intermediate equipment support those features.
If the 120 Hz option is missing, test the PS5 directly on a compatible TV port, remove intermediate equipment temporarily, and check that the cable is connected to the display’s high-bandwidth HDMI input. A 120 Hz television that is limited to 60 Hz on a particular port will not satisfy Balanced mode’s requirement.
HDR: calibrate the system before the game
Ghost of Yōtei uses the PS5’s system-level HDR calibration and then provides an in-game brightness slider plus two contrast choices. HDR Game Analysis reported that the game outputs highlights close to the system calibration. This means the PS5 setup is the correct starting point, but it does not produce one universal in-game number for every television.
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- On the PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Adjust HDR.
- Follow the three calibration screens in the room where you normally play. Adjust until the symbol is barely visible as instructed by the console, rather than choosing a value copied from another display.
- Load Ghost of Yōtei and open its display or graphics settings.
- Adjust brightness in small increments while looking at a dark scene containing textured shadows. Increasing brightness also raises black levels, so an image can become brighter but greyer at the same time.
- Try both contrast options. They change black levels and the appearance of midtones, so select the one that preserves shadow texture without crushing dark detail.
- Check bright snow, sky and sunlight after every change. If highlight detail disappears into a flat white area, reduce the setting or revisit the television’s HDR tone-mapping mode.
Do not treat “70” or any other slider value as a standard. HDR Game Analysis describes relative behavior from a particular test setup, not a Sony specification. Firmware, panel capability, tone mapping, game updates and room brightness all affect the result.
Fixing a grey-looking night scene
Reduce the brightness lift first, then recheck the darkest textures. A calibrated game/HGiG path on the display can prevent the television from applying an additional tone-mapping curve, but the correct option depends on the display. Avoid lowering contrast so far that shadow detail disappears.
Fixing a picture that looks too dim
Make a small brightness increase and inspect bright snow, sky and sunlight before making another change. Raising brightness too far lifts blacks and can remove the depth that makes HDR scenes look convincing. If the entire image remains dim, verify that the TV input is actually in HDR mode and that any energy-saving picture preset is disabled.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How resolution and reconstruction affect image quality
Dynamic resolution means the game can lower internal resolution during demanding scenes and raise it when the GPU has room. This prevents a fixed-resolution target from forcing large frame-rate drops. The approximate figures reported for the modes should therefore be read as typical ranges, not guarantees for every camera angle.
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On PS5 Pro, PSSR reconstructs a higher-resolution image from a lower-resolution internal render. Its value is most visible in motion: foliage, roof details and thin geometry can remain steadier than they would with simple upscaling. Reconstruction cannot create perfectly accurate detail where the source image contains too little information, and particles, fast camera turns or heavy foliage can still reveal temporal artifacts.
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Settings that are separate from graphics mode
Motion and camera preferences
Graphics mode determines the frame-rate and rendering budget; camera sensitivity, motion blur and similar accessibility controls change how the image feels without changing those targets. If Performance still feels uncomfortable, reduce motion blur or adjust camera sensitivity before abandoning 60 fps. Those controls are personal preferences and should be changed one at a time so you can identify what helped.
Room and viewing distance
A bright room can make shadow detail appear crushed even when the HDR signal is correct, while a dark room can make lifted blacks look obviously grey. Recheck HDR after changing rooms or moving the television. Likewise, a resolution difference that is obvious from a desk may be difficult to see from a sofa several feet away; frame pacing and control response remain noticeable at either distance.
Troubleshooting common problems
The game will not offer Balanced
- Confirm the television is set to 120 Hz rather than 60 Hz for that HDMI input.
- Connect the PS5 to a compatible HDMI 2.1 port and bypass a receiver or switch for testing.
- Set PS5 120 Hz Output to Automatic under Screen and Video > Video Output.
- Use a cable and signal chain rated for the required 4K/120 Hz bandwidth.
VRR is unavailable or the image tears
- Set VRR to Automatic in the PS5 Video Output menu and enable VRR or game mode on the display.
- Check that the display supports HDMI 2.1 VRR on the port in use.
- If you are using an uncapped mode, remember that VRR has a supported operating range; severe drops below that range can still look uneven.
The image is sharp but movement feels wrong
You are probably using Quality or Ray Tracing at a 30 fps target. Switch to Performance, or to Balanced if your display supports 120 Hz. Do not try to solve a frame-rate preference with HDR adjustments; HDR changes brightness and contrast, not frame delivery.
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The image is smooth but too soft
Move from Performance to Quality on a 60 Hz screen, or test Balanced on a 120 Hz screen. On PS5 Pro, compare Ray Tracing Pro with Quality if reconstruction artifacts bother you. Check the same distant foliage and architecture in several locations before deciding, because dynamic resolution responds to scene complexity.
HDR highlights are clipped
Lower the in-game brightness slightly, verify the PS5 system calibration, and check the television’s HDR tone-mapping setting. Reinspect bright snow, sky and sunlight after every adjustment. There is no universal replacement value that works across panels.
A practical setup checklist
- Standard PS5 and 60 Hz TV: select Performance first.
- Standard PS5 and 60 Hz TV with a fidelity preference: select Quality.
- Standard PS5 and 60 Hz TV with a lighting preference: select Ray Tracing.
- 120 Hz display: test Balanced, then Ray Tracing Balanced if you prefer ray-traced lighting.
- PS5 Pro: begin with Ray Tracing Pro; use VRR Uncapped only when you accept a fluctuating frame rate.
- Enable 120 Hz Output and VRR in Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output when the display supports them.
- Calibrate HDR at the PS5 system level before touching the game’s brightness and contrast.
- Judge HDR with both dark texture and bright highlight detail, not with a copied slider number.
- Use a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable only when every device in the signal chain supports the needed bandwidth.
Bottom line
Performance is the safest recommendation for a standard PS5 and 60 Hz television. Quality is for sharper 30 fps fidelity, Ray Tracing is for 30 fps lighting improvements, and the two Balanced modes are the middle ground for 120 Hz owners. On PS5 Pro, Ray Tracing Pro combines a 60 fps target, ray-traced global illumination and PSSR; VRR Uncapped can go faster but will fluctuate. Treat HDR as a display-calibration task rather than a universal number: calibrate the PS5, make small in-game changes, and verify both shadow detail and highlights.
Quick Recap
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