The Witcher 3 is getting a next-gen update on PS5 and Xbox Series X. If you are wondering which is the better version here, check out this comparison.
The game is finally getting the long-anticipated next-gen update tomorrow, December 14. This will bring ray-tracing support for consoles and PC. The patch notes for The Witcher 3 next-gen update also mention that there will be two modes for consoles, Quality, and Performance. So how do these consoles fare next to the PC version of the game?
The Witcher 3 next-gen update runs at a dynamic 4K resolution with two different frame rates depending on the current graphics mode. There is the quality mode that runs at dynamic 1440p at 30 FPS on the Xbox Series S, the performance mode meanwhile runs at 1080p at 60 FPS.
Xbox Series X and PS5 get the bigger bump here. The quality mode which enables ray-tracing runs at a dynamic 1440p at 30 FPS resolution for these consoles, and the performance mode runs at a dynamic 4K resolution at 60 FPS. This mode removes the ray tracing from the game so there won’t be better shadows or reflections to have in this mode. It does offer a nice bump to the resolution and runs the game at 60 FPS so there’s that.
The PC version is the best way to experience the game if you want to get ray-tracing support with 60 FPS. There is a new Ultra+ visual setting in the game that will let you improve the visuals even further than the consoles.
So which platform is better here? PS5 has slightly better screen space reflections in the performance mode compared to the Xbox Series X. This is perhaps the only major difference otherwise both platforms are nearly identical in visuals. The ray tracing applies to global illumination, shadows, and reflections. The loading times are also faster on the PS5 but there is more pop-in in the distance.
Overall, there is no best version here. Both platforms get the nod in terms of their performance and visuals. You will be happy getting the game on either of these consoles.
