An In-Depth Analysis of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Performance on PlayStation 5

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second entry in the trilogy that kicked off with 2020’s FF7 Remake, is a PlayStation 5 exclusive for now, and like its predecessor, it offers players a choice between Graphics and Performance modes. In this article, we will delve into the game’s performance on PS5, taking a closer look at both modes and the impact of a recent performance and visual quality patch.

Performance Comparison
Before the patch, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth performed well in both modes, with minimal dropped frames in the 30fps capped Graphics mode and a smooth 60fps in the Performance mode. However, the Performance mode made some sacrifices to visuals to achieve the higher frame rate. In this mode, players may encounter small hiccups in long view distance battles and high bandwidth sections with heavy particle and alpha effects or post effects. These hiccups are infrequent and never exceed 33ms frame time spikes, remaining within the Variable Refresh Rate range of the PlayStation 5 output if the player has a compatible screen.

With the 1.01 patch applied, the game’s stability improved slightly, particularly in the worst-performing sections. For instance, a fixed real-time cutscene that originally dipped to a low of 52fps now maintains a 54fps low, providing a 4% increase in frames within the required 16ms refresh. This patch also aimed to address image quality issues and visual inconsistencies noted in the demo performance review and by the community online.

Visual Quality and Modes
The visual and technical makeup of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is largely identical across both modes. The Graphics mode delivers a full 3840x2160p output that can scale to a counted low of approximately 2880x1620p. The game uses a heavy Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA) implementation, which appears to use spatial upscale to 4K across the entire frame at the end of the raster output. This means that the image, including UI, post effects, alpha, and other elements, will all shift to a lower or higher resolution depending on load and then be upscaled back to 4K using bicubic or nearest-neighbor spatial upscale.

The Performance mode targets a counted approximate high of the same 2880x1620p level in non-dense areas of the world with little or no trees, alpha, or post effects present. However, in denser sections or heavy battles, such as those found in the Grasslands or other foliage-heavy areas, the mode can drop to a counted low of 1920×1080 and remain there for extended periods. Like the Graphics mode, the heavy TAA looks to use spatial upscale to 4K, though with fewer pixels, resulting in a softer image.

The patch focused on improving the Performance mode, as I didn’t notice any improvements in image quality or performance on the Graphics mode. The team attempted to sharpen the image to aid the lack of pixel samples and improve clarity and high-frequency elements. The results are similar to Fidelity FX Super Resolution 1 (FSR1), but the sharpening does help increase detail and clarity on high-frequency textures and define edges better. Resolution remains the same, as do the low-definition textures, and the Temporal AA pass is still extremely aggressive, creating lots of ghosting in the image. However, it does provide a largely stable and clean image throughout, giving the game a softer, more post-processed, offline CGI look.

Characters and World Details
The models of characters in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are the most impressive elements of the game. Depending on the sequence and areas in question, players will encounter stunning effects in battle, with alpha flames mixed with extensive GPU-accelerated particles and physics-based destruction and interaction. Many sections feature well-placed spot, point, and area lights that cast high-quality shadows that stretch and dance. Outside, the shadow map cascade is noticeably short in both modes, but the game does mix shadow maps on characters to emulate a contact-hardening look.

Final Thoughts
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an impressive follow-up to the critically acclaimed FF7 Remake, offering players a vast and sprawling world filled with exciting challenge and depth. With over 80 hours to complete the main story and a decent chunk of sidequests and optional activities, there’s still much to be done. The game’s performance on PlayStation 5 is solid, with minimal dropped frames in the Graphics mode and a smooth 60fps in the Performance mode. The recent performance and visual quality patch improved stability and addressed some image quality issues, making the game an even better experience for players.

In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a must-play for fans of the original and newcomers alike. Its stunning visuals, immersive world, and engaging gameplay make it a standout title in the PlayStation 5 library. Whether you choose the Graphics or Performance mode, you’re in for an unforgettable journey through the world of Final Fantasy VII.