Although PC video games usually have countless menus and submenus of graphics settings to tinker with, console video games have traditionally run the identical means for everybody on the identical {hardware}. Extra lately, as consoles have diverged into a number of variations, such because the PS4/PS4 Professional or the Xbox Collection X/Collection S, you may get a selection between High quality and Efficiency modes (sometimes emphasizing both decision or frames-per-second), however that is about it.
In Hogwarts Legacy, nonetheless, the Xbox and PS5 variations of the sport have as much as 5 out there graphics settings. That is greater than the standard High quality/Efficiency cut up, and the small print of every could be a bit opaque. That is very true contemplating one of many massive promoting factors of console gaming is that you do not have to fret about settings or compatibility points.
Which one to select will depend on a few issues – your desire for sparkly eye sweet over clean movement, and whether or not you’ve got a TV that helps VRR (variable refresh charge) and HDR.
As a fast rundown, Hogwarts Legacy’s 5 graphics settings are:
Constancy modeFidelity mode with raytracing Efficiency modeBalanced modeHFR (excessive body charge) mode
The query comes all the way down to: Would you like the sport to look higher or run smoother? High quality settings, known as Constancy on this case, in console video games typically enhance the decision and add graphics element and complexity, however they usually lock the variety of frames per second all the way down to 30. Efficiency settings can drop the decision and take away or downgrade graphics options, however they provide increased body charges, ideally no less than 60fps — although not all the time. Newer TVs with increased refresh charges (or variable refresh charges) can run even quicker body charges.
Constancy mode with raytracing is on the left, with a extra correct reflection. Efficiency mode is on the suitable.
Screenshot by Dan Ackerman/CNET
In testing Hogwarts Legacy, it isn’t shocking that I ended up on the Balanced setting. It appears like a disgrace to skip the high-end graphics the PS5 (and Xbox Collection X) are able to. However on the similar time, enjoying at 30fps feels uneven and unsatisfying. Therefore, the in-the-middle choice.
I’ve additionally been spoiled by testing the sport on a sequence of high-end gaming PCs. On the brand new Razer Blade 18, which has an Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, I used to be capable of run the sport at its highest graphics settings with QHD decision and get body charges above 100fps most often.
Even a barely older gaming laptop computer with an Nvidia RTX 3070 was capable of run at a principally constant 60fps at excessive graphics settings and FHD decision. Each of those instances, when linked to a 65-inch LG OLED TV, have been far superior visually to any of the PS5 choices and did not require me to decide on graphics high quality over body charge.
What do all these efficiency mode settings really do?
As Hogwarts Legacy is usually exploration and dialog with some preventing, you will get away with the Constancy mode and never really feel such as you’re dropping out on gameplay. Quick-paced motion or on-line aggressive video games typically require these increased body charges for efficient play.
Including the ray tracing choice tweaked the visuals barely on the PS5, most noticeably including extra sensible reflections. Nevertheless it additionally appeared to additional degrade efficiency. It is price testing, however you may not keep it up.
Moreover the Balanced setting, the Efficiency setting can be someplace within the center. It drops some element from Balanced, however feels prefer it hits 60fps extra persistently with out the occasional slowdown within the Balanced mode.
The intense choice on the opposite finish is HFR Efficiency, which maximizes the body charge however makes the sport look worse. Once more, an off-the-cuff journey/exploration sport like this does not want something over ~60fps, and just some TVs even help this.
What efficiency setting ought to I select for Hogwarts Legacy?
For my cash, if enjoying on a PS5, I might select the Balanced mode, however solely after sampling the opposite out there choices as effectively. My second selection can be Constancy mode, and in reality, I would swap backwards and forwards between the 2 relying on my temper.
However the total finest expertise goes to be on a gaming PC, and our breakdown of the required specs for that’s right here. Lastly, beneath is a fast visible information to the settings on PS5 I posted to TikTok earlier.