Ghostwire: Tokyo is an attractive game with plenty going for it, marred by poor controller response and sub-par performance. This was the state of the game on PlayStation 5 when it launched last year and there's been no improvement since then. And, unfortunately, the game is either on par or worse on Xbox Series consoles. Oliver Mackenzie reports.
00:00 Overview
00:38 Visual features comparison
04:11 Image quality comparison
06:04 Performance comparison
11:32 Analysis and conclusion
Effectively 10 different visual options on PS5|SX w/ 5 different motion blur settings. All testing done with default MB settings.
Cube maps and SSR in non RT modes does a reasonable job but RT reflections are generally better and more attractive and add a lot to the visuals.
RT resolution is lower in Quality vs HFR Quality.
PS5 has somewhat cleaner RT reflection quality compared to SX.
RT shadows also present, PS5 has very sharp and SX has diffused softer shadows. DF prefers the softer RT shadows but they are misaligned in some places.
Series S does not have RT. Only Quality and Performance modes and neither have RT.
Resolution:
SX Quality: 1512p. PS5 Quality: 1620p. Besides this difference all the other visual modes have the same pixel count. 1296p Performance and 1080p in HFR Quality / Performance.
Series S Quality: 1296p. Performance: 900p.
- Performance:
Quality mode: Locked 30 FPS with incorrect frame pacing.
Performance: 60hz target generally 50 to 60 FPS at all times.
Quality HFR (60hz w/ RT @ 1080p: More desirable but hovers between 45~60 FPS.
Performance HFR (60hz, no RT, 1080p): 55 to 60 FPS but still doesn't lock at 60.
Toggling 120hz modes in either HFR mode can go above 60 but full of frame time spikes.
PS5 Performance mode HFR generally runs 10~ FPS faster.
Regular 60hz performance holds 60 closer than SX "though the differences aren't massive"
Series S runs 'considerably worse than any other version'. 30hz can drop on top of the inaccurate frame pacing. Performance mode also drops more.
PS5 and SX also have non-VSync option but DF recommends not using these at all. Even with VRR displays these modes are not recommended. On Xbox there is still tearing observed even w/ VRR displays, so it's a no-go.
All console versions have input lag issues and camera laginess. Present on PS5 and not fixed in Xbox release.
DF thinks Tango should go back to the drawing board and fix the performance issues but they don't think it will happen as the game is a year after release.
Some musings about this disappointing conversion in light of Hi-Fi Rush's single 4K/60 performance profile.
Last edited:
