The remake "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced," released on July 9, 2026, runs on the PS5 Pro with a visual quality that no other console even comes close to matching. Initial tech checks had already hinted at this; now Digital Foundry presents a comparison with Xbox and other consoles.
While standard consoles have to make significant compromises in image sharpness and effects, the PS5 Pro, thanks to AI upscaling, delivers a virtually flawless 4K image at a smooth 60 frames per second. The Caribbean becomes the ultimate and most beautiful pirate setting.
The big mode comparison on the PS5
The standard PS5 offers three graphics modes, which demonstrate the typical trilemma of frame rate and graphical fidelity.
- The Fidelity mode It runs at a stable 30 FPS with an internal resolution of approximately 1440p. Only here, and in Balanced mode, will you see the elaborate ray-traced (RT) reflections on the water, which are essential for the Caribbean setting of the remake. To maintain performance, however, these reflections are calculated at a quarter of the internal resolution.
- The Performance mode It completely eliminates RT reflections, reduces the resolution to a meager 1080p, and drastically simplifies hair rendering and the fabric simulations of the ship's sails. Shadow quality in wooded areas also suffers from the switch to pure screen-space shadows, making the image appear flat. However, the frame rate remains excellent at 60 frames per second.
- The Balanced mode At 40 FPS with a 120 Hz output, it represents the best compromise I could find. our test also used. It largely retains the high graphics settings of Fidelity mode, but the image quality drops to the level of Performance mode (1080p).
PS5 Pro: Thanks to PSSR, it's in a league of its own
The PS5 Pro utilizes its more powerful hardware and dedicated ray tracing processing units to overcome the limitations of the base console. In Performance Mode does the PS5 Pro offer Despite a buttery-smooth 60 frames per second, the full RT reflections on the sea surface are rendered. In addition, there is a significantly improved hair simulation during gameplay.
However, the qualitative highlight is the image sharpness. Sony's AI upscaler PSSR 2.0 (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) conjures an extremely sharp image from the same internal resolution, one that looks deceptively similar to conventional 4K and almost completely eliminates distracting image flicker.
In the PS5 Pro's Fidelity mode, global ray tracing (RTGI) lighting also runs at a noticeably higher resolution. This results in significantly more three-dimensional, sharper, and more realistic indirect lighting effects in the alleys of the pirate cities.
A fatal bug is blocking PSSR
Anyone planning to transfer their game progress from the standard PS5 to the PS5 Pro is currently running into a technical trap.
After importing an old save file, PSSR refuses to work. The game instead reverts to the significantly inferior standard anti-aliasing (TAU). This results in extreme flickering of fine geometries and pixelated edges during fast camera movements.
Ubisoft has confirmed the issue following developer feedback and is working on a patch, which is expected to be released within the next two weeks. Those who want the best possible graphics on their PS5 Pro immediately will have to bite the bullet: all local save files in the PS5 Pro console menu must be completely deleted, and a completely new game started. A simple restart within the campaign is not sufficient.
Xbox Series X and S: No surprises
The Xbox Series X delivers an exact copy of the standard PS5 experience. The graphics modes and the visual compromises in performance mode are absolutely identical. Measurements suggest a minimal resolution advantage for the Microsoft console, but this is imperceptible to the naked eye in practice. The often-cited hardware advantage of the Series X is completely negated here as well, leaving it without a chance against the PS5 Pro.
The Xbox Series S is a pleasant surprise, offering only a single 30 FPS mode. Thankfully, Ubisoft has retained global ray tracing (RTGI) lighting on the smallest console. Since the RAM structures for ray tracing don't scale down with the rendering resolution, this was the biggest hurdle for the developers. The price for this: the elaborate hair simulation has been completely removed and replaced with flat, map-based textures. The image appears slightly softer overall, but runs extremely smoothly.
The power dynamic is cemented.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a technically clean and superbly optimized remake on all consoles. But for those seeking the ultimate version outside of PC, the PS5 Pro is the only option.
With the PS5 Pro, Sony has a piece of hardware in its portfolio that leaves the competition in the dust. While Microsoft's Series X remains at the level of the standard PS5, the PS5 Pro impressively proves its worth with PSSR and enhanced ray tracing at 60 FPS. It delivers by far the cleanest, most detailed, and smoothest Caribbean adventure.
For my gaming pleasure, I currently use a PS5 Pro and an LG G5 OLED TV; although this setup doesn't quite match the technical sophistication of PC gaming, it represents an absolute alternative in terms of price/performance.
With this combination, Assassin's Creed Resynced truly sets a new standard in the console market, surpassing Shadows as the most technically impressive video game of this console generation and crowning the experience in audiovisual terms. Ubisoft's in-house Anvil Engine, in conjunction with the dynamic Atmos weather system, is something truly unique and delivers raw power. For me, it's by far the most impressive engine of this generation, even ahead of the RE Engine, which has its technical shortcomings depending on the genre, and even ahead of Decima, from which we've seen virtually nothing in recent years, except for the technically magnificent Death Stranding 2.
I see it the same way you do; hopefully, Ubisoft can maintain this level. Origins and Odyssey were/are impressive, but the first setback came with Valhalla (tearing still not patched) and the carousel of Mirage.
Face of a carnival?! 🤣 Yes, Mirage didn't really impress me either, even as an AC hardliner, and if it did, those areas were very rare.
I can only suggest you try these games on a Pro; current titles undoubtedly benefit significantly from the implemented PSSR, and Valhalla purely from the increased power of the more powerful console. Dynamic Resolution Scaling delivers a razor-sharp, consistently higher-resolution image in Eivor's adventure, and a suitable TV virtually eliminates screen tearing. 😉
Yes, that's true, but I don't see why a fully functional TV should be removed just to eliminate screen tearing in a game. Perhaps Ubisoft should sit down and optimize the game a bit more. I think that with Animus cross-progression, they should rework the games since Origins anyway and maybe provide new costumes or weapons so that Animus Credits can be used for other titles besides Shadows and Black Flag. That would give the games a second life.
I use the same setup with the Pro and a 55" LG OLED, and sometimes with the 65" OLED, depending on where there's space in the house 🙂 It's fantastic! But for €2, meaning the Pro and the LG TV, you get an awesome setup. And honestly, who needs more graphics power? On a PC, you can get more detail and more FPS here and there if you have enough power, but then you're looking at €3+ just for the computer.
I'm itching to buy Black Flag again, but my conscience tells me not to pay full price... I'll pick it up in a sale sometime. 🙂
Once again,
There's nothing to add 🤝
If I weren't currently experiencing the direct comparison between Black Flag and Resynced on our setup myself, I wouldn't have believed it. Black Flag left me more or less cold back then, as I only played it briefly on the PS3 and Xbox 360 at what felt like 19 frames per second 😅. Resynced, on the other hand, is unrecognizable on consoles (also in terms of some reworked gameplay mechanics), and I hope you have a lot of fun with it when you get your hands on it!
on the LG G5 with HDR (Hgig) (Dtm) or SDR?
HGiG HDR, of course 🫵😎