Will God of War Ragnarok Graphics Be Good on PS4?
Yes, absolutely. While the PlayStation 5 offers a superior visual experience, God of War Ragnarok on PS4 is still a visually impressive game that delivers a fantastic experience. The developers at Santa Monica Studio have clearly poured significant effort into optimizing the game for the older console, ensuring it looks and plays well despite the hardware limitations. While it won’t reach the heights of its PS5 counterpart, PS4 owners can expect a highly polished and enjoyable visual experience. The game makes smart compromises to ensure it runs smoothly and maintains a high level of detail within the PS4’s capabilities. The game is not just playable; it’s beautiful and engaging on the PS4, making it a worthwhile purchase for those who haven’t made the jump to the new generation.
Understanding God of War Ragnarok Graphics on PS4
The core takeaway is this: God of War Ragnarok is designed to be playable and enjoyable on the PS4. It’s not just a port; it’s a carefully crafted experience tailored to the console’s hardware. Let’s delve into the specifics of how the game performs on the PS4 and PS4 Pro.
Base PS4 Graphics
On a standard PS4, God of War Ragnarok runs at a 1080p resolution with a target of 30 frames per second (FPS). While 30 FPS might not be as fluid as 60 FPS, the game is optimized well enough to provide a smooth and consistent experience, especially when playing on a TV with a 60Hz refresh rate, which helps mitigate the perceived low framerate. The visual quality is still exceptional, boasting detailed character models, environments, and impressive lighting effects that maximize the PS4’s capabilities. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the PS5 version, it’s still a visual spectacle.
PS4 Pro Graphics
The PS4 Pro offers two graphical modes for God of War Ragnarok: Favor Performance and Favor Quality.
- Favor Performance aims for a variable resolution between 1080p and 1656p with an unlocked frame rate targeting 30 FPS. This mode prioritizes smoother gameplay, allowing the frame rate to potentially go over 30FPS in less demanding scenes.
- Favor Quality mode targets a higher variable resolution between 1440p and 1656p, with a consistent target of 30 FPS. This setting provides better image fidelity at the cost of potentially slightly less consistent frame times.
The PS4 Pro’s additional power allows for crisper images and improved visual clarity compared to the base PS4, making it a notable upgrade in visual fidelity. The performance mode is ideal for players who prefer smoother gameplay, while the quality mode will appeal to those who prioritize better resolution and detail.
What About the PS5?
It is important to acknowledge that the PS5 offers a substantial upgrade in graphical performance. The PS5 version plays at 60 FPS in Performance Mode with a resolution varying between 1440p and 2160p (4K). It also uses an SSD, resulting in significantly faster loading times. Additionally, the PS5 benefits from enhanced textures and ray-tracing technology, leading to a more visually impressive experience overall. Playing the PS4 version on a PS5 through backward compatibility, however, does not offer any graphic options, instead, the frame rate is locked at 60fps, with the resolution varying from 1440p to 1656p.
Why Choose the PS4 Version?
Despite the allure of the PS5, there are compelling reasons to play God of War Ragnarok on the PS4. If you already own a PS4 and aren’t ready to upgrade, the game offers a complete and enjoyable experience. The optimized performance, coupled with stunning visuals, makes it a worthwhile purchase for any PS4 owner. Moreover, for players on a budget or those who simply prefer to stick with their current console, the PS4 version is an excellent option. The developers have ensured the PS4 version isn’t a compromised experience, but rather a well-crafted and optimized version.
The PS4 Experience Is Worthwhile
The PS4 version of God of War Ragnarok is not just a last resort. It is a testament to the hard work and skill of the developers at Santa Monica Studio. They have managed to deliver a visually stunning game that is enjoyable on a console that, while older, still has a great deal of life in it. If you’re a PS4 owner and are hesitant about picking up Ragnarok because you don’t have a PS5, know that you can jump in with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is God of War Ragnarok 60 FPS on PS4?
No, God of War Ragnarok does not run at 60 FPS on PS4. The standard PS4 version is locked at 30 FPS, while the PS4 Pro offers options with a variable frame rate targeting 30 FPS. To experience 60 FPS, you’ll need to play the game on a PS5 or the PS4 version via backward compatibility.
2. What Resolution Does God of War Ragnarok Run at on PS4?
On the base PS4, the resolution is 1080p. On the PS4 Pro, it varies: 1080p-1656p in Performance mode and 1440p-1656p in Quality mode.
3. Can I Upgrade from the PS4 version to the PS5 version?
Yes, you can upgrade the PS4 version of God of War Ragnarok to the digital PS5 version through the PlayStation Store for a fee.
4. Is God of War Ragnarok better on PS4 or PS5?
The PS5 version is undoubtedly superior, offering 60 FPS, higher resolution, faster loading times, and enhanced graphics. However, the PS4 version is still a great experience.
5. Is it worth buying God of War Ragnarok on PS4?
Yes, absolutely. Even though it’s not the highest fidelity version, it’s optimized to run well on the PS4. The game is still enjoyable and visually impressive on the older hardware.
6. What Graphics Mode is Best on PS4 Pro for God of War Ragnarok?
It depends on preference. If you prefer a smoother framerate go with Performance mode. If you want a crisper and more detailed image, chose Quality mode.
7. Does the PS4 version of God of War Ragnarok look bad compared to the PS5 version?
The PS5 version is visually superior, but the PS4 version is still excellent within the limitations of the hardware. The game has been optimized for both consoles.
8. Will the PS4 version of God of War Ragnarok be supported in the future?
Sony has indicated it will support the PS4 with new games until 2025. God of War Ragnarok will remain playable on the console for the foreseeable future.
9. How big is the file size for God of War Ragnarok on PS4?
The final size of God of War Ragnarok on PS4 is around 118 GB.
10. Can you play the PS4 version of God of War Ragnarok on a PS5?
Yes, you can play the PS4 version on a PS5 through backward compatibility. However, it will run at a locked 60 FPS with a variable resolution between 1440p-1656p without any graphics options.
11. Does God of War Ragnarok on PS4 have ray tracing?
No, the PS4 versions do not have ray tracing. This is a feature reserved for the PS5 version.
12. Are the textures in God of War Ragnarok better on PS5 compared to PS4?
Yes, the PS5 version generally has higher quality textures compared to the PS4 version.
13. Will God of War Ragnarok be the last game for the PS4?
God of War Ragnarok is one of the last confirmed major cross-gen titles from PlayStation Studios. However, the PS4 may continue to receive support from other game studios.
14. What are the key differences between the PS4 and PS5 versions?
The key differences are resolution, frame rate, loading times, and graphical features like ray tracing. The PS5 version offers higher visual fidelity and smoother performance.
15. Is it worth upgrading to a PS5 just for God of War Ragnarok?
Upgrading to a PS5 provides an overall better experience, but it is not necessary just for God of War Ragnarok. The PS4 version provides an experience that is still well worth playing.