The real decision
Most players should prioritize stable 60 FPS if available for their display pipeline. Black Flag’s action mixes melee timing and naval broadside positioning—dips during brace timing or boarding moments feel worse than slightly softer shadows. If you are photography-focused, fidelity modes shine for sunset sailing at the cost of responsiveness.
Ray tracing and HDR
Ray-traced lighting can look stunning on stormy seas, but it is not mandatory for skill expression. Enable HDR only if your TV is calibrated reasonably; blown highlights hide enemy telegraphs during rain. If you notice crush in dark forts, tweak TV black levels before blaming the game.
3D audio
Use headphones if you can—spatial cues help during stealth in cities and when locating shanty sources on islands. See shanties for collectible context.
VRR and latency
If your setup supports variable refresh rate, test it with your chosen mode. VRR can smooth minor dips, but inconsistent implementations vary by display firmware.
PS5 FAQ
Best mode for first playthrough?
Performance-first unless you know you prefer screenshot tourism. You can always replay in fidelity later.