With a release date of October 27, Alan Wake 2 is practically here. Reviews thus far have been absolutely stellar, to say the least. Much of its praise is due to how beautiful the game looks, regardless of platform. Nonetheless, there are plenty of graphical options available to those on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Everybody will have different opinions regarding which of Alan Wake 2’s graphics modes is the best, so be sure to read on and get the full scoop on each option.
Along with a few toggleable options, Alan Wake 2 features two distinct graphics modes. These are the industry-standard performance mode and quality mode. Both are fantastic in their own right, though you will probably want to try both out before making a decision. Below, we’ve listed the pros and cons of each mode.
- Performance: Alan Wake 2’s performance mode prioritizes 60 FPS at the cost of some visual fidelity. With performance mode enabled, those on the PS5 and Xbox Series X will have a video output resolution of 1440p. Unfortunately, it seems that 60 FPS will be unavailable for those playing on an Xbox Series S.
- Quality: Alan Wake 2’s quality graphics mode will pump graphical fidelity to the max. This means that the framerate will take a hit, capping out at 30 FPS. The PS5 and Xbox Series X will have 4k video output resolution, while the Xbox Series S will sit at a decent 1440p.
According to Remedy’s communications director, Thomas Puha, Alan Wake 2 was “…built from the beginning as a 30 FPS experience focusing on visuals and ambiance.” It wasn’t until a couple months before release that the game actually received a performance mode. All this is to say that if you want to play the game as the developers originally intended, then Alan Wake 2’s quality graphics mode is your best bet.
We also recommend turning off motion blur in the settings to make the game look as great as it can. Leave film grain on for a more cinematic experience, or turn it off for more consistent and organized visuals.
