Horizon Forbidden West — PS5 & PS5 Pro performance
Technical analysis last updated
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 ProUnverifiedReconstructs 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 ProUnverifiedVisual settings sit between Resolution Pro and Performance Pro modes.
Resolution Pro Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedNative 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.
Performance Mode
PS5UnverifiedRuns at a circa 1800p checkerboard with dynamic resolution scaling. Trades image clarity and stability for 60fps.
Resolution Mode
PS5UnverifiedOften native 4K with sharper detail and superior screen-space reflections compared to base PS5 performance mode.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| PSFoundry Score | 77Good | 80Great |
| Recommended mode | Performance Mode | Performance Pro Mode |
| Modes available | 2 | 3 |
| Highest target FPS | 60 | 60 |
| Highest verified capability | 60 fps target | 60 fps target |
| PSSR | No | No |
| Ray tracing | No | No |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | No | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
- PSFoundry Score
- 77Good
- Recommended mode
- Performance Mode
- Modes available
- 2
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
- PSFoundry Score
- 80Great
- Recommended mode
- Performance Pro Mode
- Modes available
- 3
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
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.
Very close inspection reveals slight ghosting artifacts on foliage in Performance Pro mode.
Brief frame drops occur during cutscene camera transitions in 30fps mode.
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.
Sources and verification
Every technical claim on this page is attributed. Nothing is estimated.
PSFoundry is primarily a source-based database. A game is only marked as personally tested when PSFoundry has directly tested it. All other technical information is attributed to its original source.
- UnverifiedHorizon Forbidden West delivers excellent performance across PlayStation hardware, presenting two graphical tiers split between PS4-era consoles and PS5. PS5 achieves a locked 30fps at native 4K or 60Digital Foundry2022-02-14
Horizon Forbidden West delivers excellent performance across PlayStation hardware, presenting two graphical tiers split between PS4-era consoles and PS5. PS5 achieves a locked 30fps at native 4K or 60fps at checkerboarded 1800p, accompanied by a major leap in visual density, lighting, and load times. PS4 and PS4 Pro run reliably at 30fps with dynamic 1080p and dynamic 1800p checkerboard resolutions respectively.
Open source - UnverifiedPatch 1.16 for Horizon Forbidden West overhauls anti-aliasing on PS5, fixing sub-pixel shimmering in Performance Mode and making 60fps the recommended presentation.Digital Foundry2022-06-13
Patch 1.16 for Horizon Forbidden West overhauls anti-aliasing on PS5, fixing sub-pixel shimmering in Performance Mode and making 60fps the recommended presentation.
Open source - UnverifiedHorizon Forbidden West receives an exceptional PS5 Pro enhancement from Guerrilla Games, eschewing Sony's PSSR in favour of a proprietary temporal reconstruction technique. The new Performance Pro modDigital Foundry2024-12-17
Horizon Forbidden West receives an exceptional PS5 Pro enhancement from Guerrilla Games, eschewing Sony's PSSR in favour of a proprietary temporal reconstruction technique. The new Performance Pro mode reconstructs from ~1440p to deliver native-like 4K visual fidelity, improved screen-space reflections, and enhanced foliage anti-aliasing while maintaining a virtually locked 60fps. Balanced Pro (40fps) and Resolution Pro (native 4K at 30fps) modes are also provided, though Performance Pro is the
Open source - UnverifiedCommunity discussion regarding Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 comparing the 4K 30fps Resolution mode against the 1800p 60fps Performance mode based on reviewer impressions and Digital Foundry reports.GameSpot
Community discussion regarding Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 comparing the 4K 30fps Resolution mode against the 1800p 60fps Performance mode based on reviewer impressions and Digital Foundry reports.
Open source
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. That is a 120 Hz output container with a higher frame-rate range — no mode targets a locked 120 FPS.
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 best graphics mode for Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 Pro?
Best overall balance: Performance Pro Mode — Performance Pro Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K.
What is the PSFoundry Score of Horizon Forbidden West?
Horizon Forbidden West scores 80/100 on PS5 Pro. The PSFoundry Score measures technical performance only — frame rate, image quality, graphics modes, visual features, responsiveness, loading and stability — not how good the game is.
Patch history
Only updates that changed graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features.
We only log updates with a documented effect on graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features. None have been verified for this title yet.
The players' verdict
Recent player impressions of how the game runs on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
We publish player impressions from Reddit, ResetEra and specialist forums only when they discuss how the game actually runs. They never affect the PSFoundry Score.
Related analyses
Other analysed games close to Horizon Forbidden West.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
LEGO Horizon Adventures
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Elden Ring
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Hogwarts Legacy
Path of Exile
Browse the full PlayStation performance database or the PS5 Pro Enhanced games list.