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For most players on a standard PS5, start with Performance for its reported 60 fps target. Choose Quality if image detail matters more to you than responsiveness, or Ray Tracing if you prefer its lighting trade-off. With a compatible 120 Hz display, compare the two Balanced modes; on PS5 Pro, try Ray Tracing Pro for ray-traced global illumination with a 60 fps target. These are starting points, not guarantees of a locked frame rate. Calibrate HDR in the PS5’s system settings, and adjust motion-comfort options to suit your own readability and comfort.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Responsive play on a standard 60 Hz setup | Reported 60 fps target; less image detail than fidelity-first modes | Standard PS5 | Nov 2026 |
| Quality | Sharper image and visual detail | Reported 30 fps target | Standard PS5 | Nov 2026 |
| Ray Tracing | Ray-traced lighting on standard PS5 | Reported 30 fps target | Standard PS5 | Nov 2026 |
| Balanced / Ray Tracing Balanced | A middle ground on a compatible 120 Hz display | 40 fps targets; the latter adds ray tracing | PS5 with 120 Hz display | Nov 2026 |
| Ray Tracing Pro | Lighting and responsive play on PS5 Pro | Ray-traced global illumination with a 60 fps target; PSSR reconstruction | PS5 Pro | Nov 2026 |
The standard-PS5 mode targets are reported in Sucker Punch’s technical deep dive. The 40 fps Balanced targets and 120 Hz requirement are documented in the Patch 1.100 notes and developer notes reproduced by Push Square. A 120 Hz display does not mean the game renders at 120 fps.
Compare modes across more than one spec: console model, the display’s actual refresh capability, VRR support, responsiveness and frame pacing, image detail, ray-traced lighting, and your own sensitivity to blur or fluctuating output. A display’s HDR label alone does not establish that it supports 120 Hz or HDMI VRR.
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Choose Performance if responsiveness is your priority; it has a reported 60 fps target. Quality and Ray Tracing are reported as 30 fps targets, favoring visual detail or ray-traced lighting over a higher frame-rate target.
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Think of these as different priorities, not a simple ladder where one mode is best for everyone. Faster motion can make combat and camera movement feel more responsive, while a lower target may suit someone who would rather favor the image. The supplied mode guidance does not establish that any target is locked in every scene, so treat the figures as targets rather than promises.
- Performance: the practical starting point for action and responsiveness on a standard PS5, especially with a 60 Hz display.
- Quality: a sensible alternative if you prefer a sharper, detail-focused presentation and are comfortable with the reported 30 fps target.
- Ray Tracing: choose it when ray-traced lighting is more important to you than the higher target offered by Performance. Its reported target is also 30 fps.
If you are torn between Performance and Quality, try each for a short stretch in the kind of play you do most. Focus on whether camera movement and combat feel clear and responsive, then consider whether the visual difference matters enough to accept the lower target. For Ray Tracing, make the same trade-off explicitly: its appeal is lighting, not a higher frame-rate target.
In its technical deep dive, Sucker Punch described a rendering example in which a distant-mountain scene contained more than one million trees, rocks, and bushes, with about sixty thousand rendered items. That figure illustrates a rendering technique and scene scale; it is not a frame-rate measurement or evidence that a particular mode will perform identically in every location.
Is Balanced worth using with a 120 Hz display?
Balanced is worth comparing if your display supports 120 Hz: its documented target is 40 fps, between the reported 30 fps fidelity modes and 60 fps Performance target. Ray Tracing Balanced adds ray tracing to that middle-ground option.
Sucker Punch added Balanced modes and VRR support in patch 1.100, posted November 24, 2025. Its notes specify a 120 Hz display requirement for Balanced. That hardware requirement is distinct from VRR: 120 Hz is needed for the documented Balanced mode, while VRR is a supported feature that can help a compatible display handle changing output. A 120 Hz signal is not the same as 120 frames per second rendered by the game.
The 40 fps target is a gameplay target, not a promise that every scene uses that rate. The developer notes reproduced by Push Square also say cutscenes render at 30 fps, so do not judge Balanced by expecting every transition or cinematic to match gameplay. The point of the mode is a middle ground for a compatible 120 Hz display, not a universal substitute for Performance or a 120 fps mode.
To check the console’s output options, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Enable supported 120 Hz Output and VRR, then review the connected HDMI device information. In the game, the reproduced developer notes identify VRR choices called Smoothed and Uncapped. There is no universal best choice established by the available documentation: try the stable-feeling option first, then compare Uncapped if your own VRR display makes fluctuating output more comfortable.
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If you are shopping specifically for this middle-ground option, look for the features rather than a particular brand or model: a 120 Hz display and compatible HDMI VRR if you also want to use VRR. The game’s Balanced requirement is 120 Hz; VRR remains a separate display and console capability. No particular model or price is necessary to recommend here.
Which mode should I choose on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, start by comparing Ray Tracing Pro with the other available priorities. Sucker Punch says this mode uses ray-traced global illumination and targets 60 fps, with PSSR reconstruction used for the image.
That is a game-specific developer claim, not a general guarantee about PS5 Pro games or a promise of an unchanging frame rate. It is also different from the standard PS5 Ray Tracing mode, which has a reported 30 fps target. If lighting is important but you still want a higher target than the standard console’s Ray Tracing mode, Ray Tracing Pro is the documented starting point.
Some third-party reporting has attributed an approximately 70–90 fps range for uncapped Ray Tracing Pro to Digital Foundry analysis. That is second-hand, scene-dependent reporting, not a Sony specification or a guaranteed range. It should not be used as a prediction of what every player will see.
PS5 Pro is not required to get the standard PS5 Performance mode’s reported 60 fps target. Its relevant documented option here is Ray Tracing Pro: ray-traced global illumination with a 60 fps target, using PSSR reconstruction. Keep that distinction in mind if comparing console upgrade value: the mode is a specific lighting-and-performance combination, not a general promise that every setting or game will run the same way.
Why is Balanced missing?
The first thing to check is whether the connected display and HDMI path support 120 Hz output. Sucker Punch’s patch notes specify a 120 Hz display requirement for Balanced; a 60 Hz display will not meet that requirement even if it supports HDR.
- On PS5, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and inspect the information for the connected HDMI device.
- Check the television’s specifications for the exact HDMI input you are using. Some TVs do not offer the same features on every input, and an input setting may need to be changed for its higher-bandwidth features.
- Check whether a receiver or other device between the PS5 and TV is limiting the signal. As a troubleshooting step, connect the console directly to a suitable TV input if practical.
- Check that the TV firmware is current and that the PS5 is using the supplied cable or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz. Sony recommends checking the existing cable and signal chain before replacing anything.
HDR, 120 Hz output, and HDMI VRR are separate capabilities. A screen can support HDR without supporting 120 Hz or VRR, so verify each feature rather than relying on an HDR label alone. Sony’s 120 Hz output guidance covers display and connection checks.
Do not buy a replacement cable as the first step. Check the supplied cable, the TV input, any receiver or switch in the path, and the console’s connected-device information. If those checks point to a cable limitation, Sony recommends the supplied cable or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz. The exact equipment needed depends on the rest of the signal chain.
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How do I calibrate HDR for Ghost of Yōtei?
Use the PS5’s HDR calibration rather than relying on a universal in-game brightness number. On an HDR-capable display, choose HDR > On When Supported if you want non-HDR material to remain SDR, then open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Adjust HDR.
- Put the television in the picture mode you intend to use for games. If it has separate picture settings by input or signal type, make sure you are adjusting the one used by the PS5.
- Run Adjust HDR on the PS5 and follow the calibration prompts.
- Confirm that the TV reports receiving an HDR signal when the game is running.
- Only after system calibration, make small in-game brightness or contrast changes if needed. Check both shadow texture and bright areas such as snow or sky rather than judging the image from one part of the screen.
Sony says HDR image quality depends on the home entertainment setup, so no single slider value is right for every panel. The available documentation does not establish a Ghost of Yōtei brightness number, peak-nit figure, or HGiG setting that should be applied universally. Sony’s PS5 HDR instructions explain the console calibration controls.
If the image looks washed out or highlights appear clipped, first recheck the TV’s active picture mode and the PS5 HDR calibration, then make modest adjustments one at a time. Changing several controls at once makes it harder to tell which change helped. Keep the goal practical: preserve visible dark detail while avoiding unnecessarily dim shadows or blown-out bright areas.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThere is no official Ghost of Yōtei brightness figure that applies to every television. A copied slider value cannot account for differences in the panel and home setup, and an exact peak-nit claim or HGiG requirement would overstate what the guidance establishes. Start with the system calibration on the gaming picture mode you actually use, and treat any game-level adjustment as a small personal refinement.
Should I turn motion blur off?
There is no universally correct motion-blur setting. If movement looks smeared or feels uncomfortable, try lowering or disabling motion blur if that control is available in your installed game version, and compare the result with the original setting.
Change one option at a time so you can tell whether it improves readability. Motion blur is a visual-comfort preference, not a frame-rate mode: lowering it does not change the selected mode’s documented fps target. The official material reviewed does not establish a current-build motion-blur scale or default, so a specific slider value would be guesswork.
PlayStation documents two additional controls in its Ghost of Yōtei accessibility options page:
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- Persistent Centre Dot: can be set to Off, Small, Medium, or Large. PlayStation identifies it as an aid for players who experience motion sickness.
- Wind Gust Camera: an automatic camera-movement toggle. If guided camera movement bothers you, try changing this setting and see whether the presentation is more comfortable.
These settings offer different kinds of adjustment; neither is a substitute for choosing a display mode based on responsiveness or image detail. They also cannot promise a medical outcome. Pick the combination that makes movement easiest for you to follow.
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For a useful comparison, test a short section with the same mode and camera behavior before and after changing blur. If the image feels clearer, keep the new preference; if it does not, restore the prior setting. Do not assume that a blur change fixes fluctuating frame output, or that changing Performance to Quality is necessary to address discomfort.
Which settings should I check first?
Set the console and display up before fine-tuning the game. This order separates connection problems from preferences and avoids chasing a picture-mode adjustment when the real issue is missing output capability.
- Identify your hardware: note whether you have a standard PS5 or PS5 Pro, and whether the display is 60 Hz or supports 120 Hz. Check VRR separately.
- Choose a starting mode: use Performance on standard PS5 for the reported 60 fps target; use Quality or Ray Tracing if their visual priorities matter more. On PS5 Pro, compare Ray Tracing Pro. Try Balanced only with a 120 Hz-capable display.
- Enable the output features your display supports: use the PS5’s Video Output screen to check 120 Hz and VRR. Do not assume enabling one enables the others.
- Calibrate HDR at the system level: use Adjust HDR with the intended TV gaming picture mode, then make small game-level changes only if necessary.
- Adjust comfort controls last: make one change to blur or camera behavior at a time and keep the setting that improves clarity or comfort for you.
If you are deciding whether to upgrade hardware just for a mode, note that the standard PS5’s Performance mode already has a reported 60 fps target. PS5 Pro is optional for that starting point; its specific documented advantage here is Ray Tracing Pro’s ray-traced global illumination at a 60 fps target.
For a quick diagnosis, separate the questions: Is the mode unavailable, or does it look different than expected? A missing Balanced option points first to 120 Hz capability and the HDMI path. Missing VRR points to the display’s HDMI VRR support and output settings. Washed-out HDR calls for checking the active signal, TV picture mode, and PS5 calibration. Smearing or camera discomfort calls for testing comfort settings, not changing cables or assuming the frame-rate target changed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How current are these settings?
The Balanced and VRR history above refers specifically to patch 1.100, posted November 24, 2025; that is when those features were added. It should not be described as the latest game version. The live PlayStation game page refers to content requiring patch v2.0 or later, so the installed build may contain later changes.
Recent third-party results have mentioned a base-PS5 QSSR option, but the official sources cited here do not establish its current availability or effects. Do not confuse that unverified claim with PSSR, which Sucker Punch documents for PS5 Pro. For any setting whose label or availability differs on your installation, use the in-game menu as the authority for that build rather than relying on an older mode list.
For additional technical context, Sucker Punch’s October 2025 technical deep dive describes the game’s rendering approach, while PlayStation’s game page is the place to check current product and content information.
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Do Ghost of Yōtei cutscenes run at 40 fps in Balanced mode?
The reproduced developer mode notes say cutscenes render at 30 fps. That means a 40 fps gameplay target should not be read as a claim that every part of the game, including cutscenes, runs at that rate.
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Can I use a 120 Hz monitor without VRR for Balanced mode?
The documented Balanced requirement is a 120 Hz display, while VRR is a separate supported feature. A display may support 120 Hz without HDMI VRR, so check those specifications independently.
Does PS5 Pro’s Ray Tracing Pro guarantee 60 fps everywhere?
No. Sucker Punch describes 60 fps as the mode’s target, not a guaranteed locked result in every scene or situation.
Will HDR work if I connect the PS5 through an AV receiver?
It can, but each device in the HDMI chain must pass the capabilities you want to use. If HDR or another output feature is missing, check the receiver’s port and settings or temporarily connect the console directly to the TV to isolate the bottleneck.
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Performance or Quality: which should I pick?
Performance is the standard-PS5 starting point if responsiveness is your priority, with a reported 60 fps target. Quality has a reported 30 fps target and prioritizes image detail. Choose based on which trade-off feels better to you; neither target is a guarantee of a locked rate in every scene.
Should I use VRR Uncapped?
Try the VRR option that looks and feels stable on your own compatible display first. The reproduced developer notes identify Smoothed and Uncapped, but do not establish a universal best choice. Compare Uncapped only if changing output feels better on your setup.
What HDR brightness number should I use?
There is no universal Ghost of Yōtei brightness number established for every panel. Run PS5 Adjust HDR with the TV’s intended gaming picture mode, then make small in-game adjustments while checking both shadows and bright areas.
Should I turn motion blur off?
Only if the installed version offers the control and you prefer the result. Try lowering or disabling it when motion looks smeared or uncomfortable, comparing one change at a time. Blur settings do not change the selected mode’s frame-rate target.
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Why is Balanced missing even though my TV supports HDR?
HDR does not prove that the TV supports 120 Hz. Check the exact HDMI input, the console’s connected-device information, any receiver in the signal path, TV firmware, and the cable. Balanced has a documented 120 Hz display requirement.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: On a standard PS5, start with Performance for its reported 60 fps target; choose Quality or Ray Tracing for their visual priorities. Balanced needs a 120 Hz display, while VRR is a separate feature. On PS5 Pro, compare Ray Tracing Pro for ray-traced global illumination with a 60 fps target. Calibrate HDR through PS5 settings, and adjust motion blur or camera comfort only if the changes improve readability for you.
