Anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the release date for Assassin's Creed Shadows draws near.  Following some delays, Ubisoft has finally lifted the curtain on the console and PC specifications, providing players with a clearer picture of the game's technical prowess.

Beyond its record-breaking 123GB file size on the Mac App Store, Shadows promises a visually stunning and immersive experience.  Let's delve into the performance details across different platforms.

Players can choose between three distinct modes: Performance mode prioritizes a smooth frame rate, Fidelity mode enhances visual details and lighting at the cost of some frames, and Balanced mode strikes a middle ground between the two.

On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, players can expect upscaled 2160p resolution across all three modes. The Series S, however, maxes out at 1620p.  Performance mode on PS5 and Series X targets 60 FPS with selective ray tracing, while Fidelity and Balanced modes offer more extensive ray tracing at 30 FPS and 40 FPS, respectively. The PS5 Pro boasts enhanced ray tracing in Fidelity and Balanced modes, but otherwise shares similar specifications with the standard PS5.

Console Specs Breakdown:

• PlayStation 5/Pro: Offers Performance (60FPS, selective ray tracing), Fidelity (30FPS, enhanced ray tracing on Pro), and Balanced (40FPS, enhanced ray tracing on Pro) modes at 2160p (upscaled).
• Xbox Series X: Mirrors PS5/Pro in resolution and performance modes, including ray tracing options.
• Xbox Series S: Offers a single Fidelity mode at 1620p and 30FPS, with limited ray tracing capabilities.

The Series S, understandably given its hardware limitations, presents a more streamlined experience.  However, Xbox players across all consoles can pre-load the game now, giving them a head start. PC players can begin pre-loading on March 17, while PS5 users will have to wait until March 18.

Due to its demanding system requirements, Assassin's Creed Shadows will not be compatible with the Steam Deck at launch. This may disappoint handheld gamers, but future optimizations might change this.  For now, console and PC players can prepare by freeing up storage space and ensuring their systems are up to the task of running the largest Assassin's Creed game yet.

The long-awaited release is finally on the horizon.  Get ready to experience the pinnacle of the Assassin's Creed franchise.