Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Quality Mode or Performance Mode?
Image Credit: Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed Shadows
If you’re playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, you’ve got a choice to make: Quality Mode or Performance Mode. One offers shiny graphics, the other makes the game run smoother. Let’s break down which one’s worth your time—and which might leave you regretting your life choices mid-parry.
Here are the key differences with quality vs performance mode in AC Shadows.
Performance Mode – Smooth as Butter (Mostly)
Frame Rate: Targets 60 FPS
Visuals: Slightly lower resolution and detail
Best For: Players who like responsive controls, smoother animations, and fewer frame dips in combat.
This mode is especially useful during fast-paced combat or traversal, where precise timing matters. It’s also easier on your eyes during longer sessions. In short: less cinematic, more survival-friendly.
Quality Mode – Pretty, but Slower
Frame Rate: Locked at 30 FPS
Visuals: Higher resolution, better shadows, reflections, and textures
Best For: Players who prioritize graphics over fluidity or just want the world to look its best—even if it moves like molasses in winter.
Looks great in cutscenes, but the lower FPS might make dodging enemies or pulling off perfect parries feel sluggish.
Why Higher FPS Matters
In combat-heavy games like AC Shadows, higher FPS = better reaction times. Whether you’re blocking a sword or leaping off rooftops, smoother frame transitions give you a clearer, faster sense of what’s happening—meaning you’ll get hit less, miss fewer attacks, and feel more in control.
How to Switch Between Modes
Open the Settings Menu
Go to the Video Settings Tab
The option to toggle Performance or Quality Mode is at the top.
Warning: Changing this setting forces your game to reset to the last checkpoint. Don’t flip it mid-mission unless you enjoy replaying progress.
What About PlayStation 5 Pro?
No major difference—Performance mode is still capped at 60 FPS, and Quality mode stays at 30 FPS. You get minor visual improvements, but no FPS boost.
Xbox Series S Players
Sorry, no Performance mode for you. AC Shadows is locked at 30 FPS, with visuals similar to Performance mode on higher-end consoles.
Final Blurb
If you’re asking, “Should I use Performance or Quality mode?”, here’s the simple answer:
Want smoother gameplay and better control? Go Performance.
Want prettier visuals for screenshots and don’t mind slower action? Go Quality.
For most players, Performance mode is the winner—because survival looks better in motion, even if it’s not as shiny.
