Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West transitions impressively across PlayStation generations, culmination in a standout PS5 Pro implementation. On base PS5, players must choose between an ~1800p checkerboard Performance mode at 60fps and a native 4K Resolution mode at 30fps. On PS5 Pro, Guerrilla bypasses PSSR in favor of a bespoke temporal upscaler, delivering DLSS-like image clarity from a ~1440p base at 60fps. With cleaner subpixel detail, superior anti-aliasing on foliage, and locked performance, the PS5 Pro's Performance Pro mode successfully merges the image quality of base PS5's Resolution mode with 60fps smoothness, making it a significant upgrade.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
PS5 Pro provides an outstanding experience centered around Performance Pro mode, which combines native-like 4K image quality with a rock-solid 60fps frame rate. Rather than PSSR, Guerrilla uses a custom temporal upscaler from ~1440p that rival DLSS quality.
Features Guerrilla's custom temporal reconstruction upscaler ('Guerrilla Super Resolution'), upgraded screen-space reflections, enhanced depth of field, refined foliage anti-aliasing, and an unlocked VRR frame rate option.
Performance Pro Mode
PS5 ProReconstructs from ~1440p using Guerrilla's custom upscaler. Features refined subpixel detail, superior foliage anti-aliasing, improved SSR, and cleaner depth of field.
Balanced Pro Mode
PS5 ProVisual settings sit between Resolution Pro and Performance Pro modes.
Resolution Pro Mode
PS5 ProNative 4K output utilizing Guerrilla's updated anti-aliasing method and enhanced SSR.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
Base PS5 delivers strong overall performance with two clear choices. Performance mode offers dynamic ~1800p checkerboard rendering at 60fps, while Resolution mode hits native 4K at a steady 30fps with higher visual fidelity.
Offers a PS5 Pro Enhanced patch featuring proprietary reconstructed anti-aliasing and improved visual modes.
Resolution Mode
PS5Often native 4K with sharper detail and superior screen-space reflections compared to base PS5 performance mode.
Performance Mode
PS5Runs at a circa 1800p checkerboard with dynamic resolution scaling. Trades image clarity and stability for 60fps.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 4 Pro
PS4 Pro delivers dynamic 1800p checkerboard rendering targeted at a locked 30fps. While visuals are pared back relative to PS5 in textures, geometry density, and lighting, frame-rate performance is exceptionally consistent.
Standard Mode
PS4 ProDynamic 1800p checkerboard reconstruction. Lower geometry density, lower reflection detail, and software variable rate shading compared to PS5.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 4
Base PS4 targets dynamic 1080p at 30fps. The frame rate is remarkably stable, but visual features feature substantial reductions in object density, reflection complexity, texture resolution, and draw distance.
Standard Mode
PS4Dynamic 1080p resolution. Reductions in asset quality, texture resolution, foliage density, and lighting complexity.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
Guerrilla Games delivers a standout PS5 Pro update that combines the 4K-like visual fidelity of base PS5's Resolution mode with the 60fps fluid performance of Performance mode. Utilizing a proprietary temporal upscaler from a ~1440p base rather than PSSR, Performance Pro mode offers remarkably clean, artifact-free image quality and locked 60fps performance.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 76Good | 83Great |
| Recommended mode | Performance Mode | Performance Pro Mode |
| Modes available | 2 | 3 |
| Peak target FPS | 60 | 60 |
| PSSR | No | No |
| Ray tracing | No | No |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | No | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
- Performance Score
- 76Good
- Recommended mode
- Performance Mode
- Modes available
- 2
- Peak target FPS
- 60
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
- Performance Score
- 83Great
- Recommended mode
- Performance Pro Mode
- Modes available
- 3
- Peak target FPS
- 60
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
Very close inspection reveals slight ghosting artifacts on foliage in Performance Pro mode.
Brief frame drops occur during cutscene camera transitions in 30fps mode.
Visual shimmering and aliasing on vegetation and fine edges in early versions; resolved in Patch 1.16.
Brief stuttering occurs during cutscene camera angle transitions across platforms.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
The best upscaling on consoles? Horizon Forbidden West/Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster PS5 Pro Review. Digital Foundry
We're rounding off our coverage for Horizon Forbidden West's impressive PC port with a look at optimised settings, how they stack up against ...
Opting out of PSSR, Guerrilla Games has outfitted Horizon Forbidden West and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered with its own upscaling solution.
Horizon Forbidden West - Digital Foundry Tech Review - A PS5 Graphics Masterclass · Sony Ends The Era Of PlayStation Discs - And It's A Massive ...
Horizon Forbidden West - Digital Foundry Tech Review - A PS5 Graphics Masterclass · Comments.
Horizon forbidden West is without a doubt one of the best looking games ever it looks good even on the PS5 Pro so can the new PS5 Pro somehow manage to make it look even better
External links open in a new tab. PSFoundry is not affiliated with the linked publications.
Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does Horizon Forbidden West run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, Horizon Forbidden West offers 3 graphics modes: Performance Pro Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K; Balanced Pro Mode targets 40 FPS; Resolution Pro Mode targets 30 FPS at 4K.
What frame rate does Horizon Forbidden West run at on PS5?
On PS5, Horizon Forbidden West offers 2 graphics modes: Resolution Mode targets 30 FPS at 4K; Performance Mode targets 60 FPS at 1800p.
Does Horizon Forbidden West support 120 Hz on PlayStation?
Yes. Performance Pro Mode on PS5 Pro, Balanced Pro Mode on PS5 Pro run with 120 Hz output on a compatible display.
Is Horizon Forbidden West worth playing on PS5 Pro?
Guerrilla Games delivers a standout PS5 Pro update that combines the 4K-like visual fidelity of base PS5's Resolution mode with the 60fps fluid performance of Performance mode. Utilizing a proprietary temporal upscaler from a ~1440p base rather than PSSR, Performance Pro mode offers remarkably clean, artifact-free image quality and locked 60fps performance.
What is the PSFoundry Performance Score of Horizon Forbidden West?
Horizon Forbidden West scores 83/100 on PS5 Pro. The Performance Score measures technical performance only — frame rate, image quality, graphics modes, visual features, responsiveness, loading and stability — not how good the game is.
Explore
Browse every game that shares these technical features.
Related analyses
Other analysed games close to Horizon Forbidden West.
