AC Black Flag Resynced Graphics Modes Explained: Performance, Balanced, Fidelity
Whether you’re cruising the Caribbean on PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series S, or Xbox Series X, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced gives you multiple graphics choices—each with different frame-rate targets and ray tracing setups. Here’s what the options mean, which one to pick, and how to switch between them.
All Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Graphics Modes, Explained
The game includes three graphics modes: Performance, Balanced, and Fidelity. Performance is designed to prioritize a smoother experience by targeting a higher frame rate. Fidelity trades that away for improved visuals, pairing a lower frame-rate target with enhanced ray tracing. Balanced aims to land in the middle, and it’s intended to work best when you have a compatible high frame-rate display plus an HDMI 2.1 cable.
The table below breaks down the resolution targets, frame-rate targets, and ray tracing approach for each console and mode.
- 60 FPS Target
- 2160p upscaled
- Standard ray tracing
- 30 FPS Target
- 2160p upscaled
- Extended ray tracing
- 40 FPS Target
- 2160p upscaled
- Extended ray tracing
- N/A
- 30 FPS Target
- 1620p Upscaled
- Standard ray tracing
- 60 FPS Target
- 2160p upscaled using enhanced PSSR
- Extended ray tracing
Ray tracing differences come down to how the game calculates lighting and reflections. Standard ray tracing is used to handle global illumination for diffuse lighting across the world. Extended ray tracing goes further by enabling full ray tracing for global illumination affecting both diffuse lighting and reflective surfaces throughout the game world.
Which Graphics Mode Should You Choose in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced?
On PS5 Pro and Xbox Series S, your choice is effectively limited. PS5 Pro delivers the same experience no matter which mode you select, while Xbox Series S only supports a Fidelity option.
For PS5 and Xbox Series X players, the decision is more meaningful. If you’re like me and usually prefer smoother motion, you may naturally gravitate toward the higher frame-rate option. I personally also don’t tend to notice ray traced lighting changes as much during the heat of combat or when I’m focused on missions.
That said, I’ve found the best “sweet spot” is often Balanced. The move from a 60 FPS target down to 40 FPS doesn’t usually feel like a dramatic downgrade, and you get the added value of extended ray tracing. The effect is especially striking when you’re sailing your ship through stormy seas at night.
In the end, it’s a personal trade-off. I recommend trying Balanced (if your display supports it) and seeing how it feels for you. If you decide you’d rather prioritize the 60 FPS target, you can switch over to Performance.
How to Change Graphics Modes in AC Black Flag Resynced
To change modes, open the in-game menus, then press the touchpad (the view button on Xbox) to access the ‘System’ menus. From there, choose ‘Settings’. At the top of the first tab, you’ll see a ‘Graphics Mode’ slider that lets you switch between the available options.
Once you back out of the menus, the change should apply right away. If you want to revert, you can return to the same settings panel anytime.
