Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment and Avalanche Software’s action role-playing game, Hogwarts Legacy, is now available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and if you’re on the fence about which version to pick up, read ahead.
The game features 5 graphics modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X, namely Quality, Ray-Tracing, Performance, Balanced, and Performance High Frame Rate, with the latter two modes only available on 120Hz displays. As for the PC version of Hogwarts Legacy, the highest available graphics settings are similar to the Quality mode seen on PS5 and Xbox Series X, though with ray-tracing enabled. The graphical settings on both consoles are dropped in certain areas in the Ray-Tracing mode, while RT is applied on shadows and reflections (outside of water reflections). For instance, Ray-Tracing mode decreases the draw distance and texture quality on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
The Quality mode on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X delivers the highest possible texture quality, draw distance, shadows, vegetation and lighting on consoles. The Xbox Series S, on the other hand, does not support ray-tracing. The console only offers 3 graphics modes to choose from, namely Quality, Performance, and Balanced, with the latter only an option on 120Hz displays. In terms of settings, the Xbox Series S version delivers a lower NPC density in comparison to the other two consoles.
In terms of performance, the frame rate is unlocked in all modes on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but not the Xbox Series S, when running on a 120Hz display. The PS5 delivers a more consistent frame rate in Ray-Tracing mode, but the frame rate is generally higher on Xbox Series X in all other modes. All versions of Hogwarts Legacy suffer from stuttering issues inside the castle when moving through rooms, likely due to data streaming. There will even be times when the game suspends momentarily in a doorway until the next room has finished loading. Meanwhile, in terms of load times, the PS5 delivers the fastest experience.
All in all, if exclusive content isn’t a major concern, the Xbox Series X version of Hogwarts legacy delivers the best possible performance on consoles in Performance High Frame Rate mode on a 120Hz display. On the other hand, the PC version offers the best possible graphical experience on capable hardware.
