Insomniac Game’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales was already a fantastic performing game, and a looker to boot. Now the would-be wizards have added a Ray Tracing performance mode to the game. Not only does this make the game one of the few titles that showcase Ray Tracing on the next-generation consoles, but I feel it’s also the best that best implements it. With this new Ray Tracing performance mode, well, let’s just say I’m a believer.
Our new update overnight introduced Performance RT mode on PS5. 60fps and ray-tracing! https://t.co/SSRy9vq9Aw
— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) December 9, 2020
I fired up the game once the download completed and started it from the beginning, and the RT effects were apparent. The neon lighting as Miles departs the subway popped, while the puddles (yes puddles) reacted differently. Ray Tracing reflections are also heavily used throughout the first few minutes of the game – I was impressed. Now, Ray Tracing isn’t new for Spider-Man: Miles Morales, as the fidelity mode was already in the game. Though the compromise was 4K with RT enabled, and effectively halving the framerate. With this new Ray Tracing performance mode, you’re getting the RT, with a much better frame rate.
You can see this in action below. It’s recorded in 4K, but YouTube yet again is ending things just as fast as paint dries. It will get there, eventually.
https://youtu.be/zH5W31EIKDc
Now, there is a compromise for achieving this middle ground. With the Ray Tracing performance mode enabled, the resolution has become dynamic. Meaning that while you’ll see those amazing RT effects, the resolution will take a hit and lower as needed to keep the framerate steady. While we don’t just how low the resolution will go, Insomniac Games’ Community Director, James Stevenson, states the base resolution is lower than both the fidelity and performance modes that were already in the game.
It’s dynamic 4K. The base resolution is lower than the other two modes, of course
— James Stevenson (@JamesStevenson) December 9, 2020
After playing in the new mode, I can honestly tell you that I couldn’t notice when the resolution dropped. I was too busy enjoying the game and enjoying the RT effects while trying to be the best Spider-Man I can be.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is currently available for the PS4 and PS5.
