It’s here. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest entry in the iconic stealth franchise, has landed—and if you’re playing on a PlayStation 5 Pro, brace yourself. The visual upgrades are nothing short of remarkable.
I’m talking about real upgrades, not just a couple of shiny new features. This is the kind of leap that makes you wonder what we were even doing on the PS5 in the first place.
Here’s the deal: the PS5 Pro version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes full advantage of the console’s ray tracing capabilities, and the results are a game-changer.
A recent comparison video from Digital Foundry broke it all down, revealing that this game shows off one of the most significant improvements on PS5 Pro we’ve seen to date. If you’re someone who appreciates good lighting—who doesn’t?—this upgrade is something you’ve got to see to believe.
Ray Tracing Brings Shadows to Life
So what’s the big deal with ray tracing? Well, it’s about the details, and boy, does it deliver. Assassin’s Creed Shadows uses Ray Traced Global Illumination (RTGI) technology to boost lighting and shadow quality.
The result? A more realistic picture, without sacrificing that silky-smooth 60 frames per second that everyone loves. It’s the kind of thing that makes you think, “Wow, is this the future of gaming?” You can see it in every scene, where lighting behaves the way it should—dynamic, realistic, and entirely immersive.
Take foliage, for example. On the PS5 Pro, trees, grass, and plants are illuminated in a way that looks completely different from the standard PS5 version.
The difference is stark—on the PS5, the lighting doesn’t do justice to the environment, leaving shadows and depth feeling flat. On the Pro? It’s a world apart. The subtle details in the lighting and shadow play make the environment feel more alive, more vibrant.
A Generational Divide
It’s clear—this isn’t just a “better” version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This is a generational leap. The PS5 Pro offers a level of lighting fidelity that sets it apart from the original PS5.
The improvements are noticeable in every scene, from how the environment reacts to light, to how shadows behave in real-time. Simply put, the PS5 Pro makes everything look more natural, more believable.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the PS5 version is a slouch. Far from it. The game still looks great, but if you want that extra polish—the kind that makes the world feel real—the PS5 Pro version is the way to go.
This upgrade is exactly why you might want to consider jumping to the Pro if you’re serious about your gaming setup.
Worth the Upgrade?
Let’s be clear: Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just another game—it’s a demonstration of what the PS5 Pro is capable of when given the tools to shine. If you’re someone who has been sitting on the fence about upgrading to the Pro, this game might just push you over.
The lighting, the shadows, the overall environment—it’s a whole new world when it’s powered by ray tracing.
Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor at TechRadar Gaming, gave the game a solid four and a half stars in his review, praising it as “a massive success and a fantastic entry in the open-world RPG line.”
It’s clear that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a game worth playing, but when you throw in the visual enhancements on the PS5 Pro? Well, now we’re talking next-level stuff.
So, if you’ve got the PS5 Pro—or if you’re thinking about upgrading—this is a title that makes the investment feel worthwhile. The future of gaming is here, and it’s lit, it’s detailed, and it’s ready to steal your attention.
