Control Resonant offers two graphics choices on the standard PS5 and three on PS5 Pro. On PS5, Performance mode targets 60 fps at 1440p, while Quality mode targets 30 fps at 2160p. On PS5 Pro, Performance targets 60 fps at 2160p, Quality targets 30 fps at 2160p with ray tracing, and Balanced targets 40 fps at 2160p with ray tracing. Balanced requires a 120 Hz compatible display. Remedy published these figures on the PlayStation Blog on September 15, 2026, ahead of the September 24 launch.
Which graphics mode should you choose in Control Resonant?
The simplest choice depends on what you value during combat. Control Resonant was built with responsiveness in mind, and Remedy says the experience was designed around 60 fps performance from the beginning. Because the game puts Dylan Faden in fast combat with intense movement and paranatural abilities, Performance mode is the most direct option for players who prioritize controller response and fluidity.
Quality mode trades frame rate for a presentation focused on resolution. On the standard PS5, it targets 30 fps at 2160p. On PS5 Pro, it keeps the 30 fps at 2160p target and adds ray tracing. PS5 Pro's Balanced mode aims to preserve part of the visual advantage of Quality without dropping to 30 fps: it targets 40 fps at 2160p and also includes ray tracing.
| Console | Mode | Frame rate target | Reported resolution | Ray tracing | Additional requirement | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | Performance | 60 fps | 1440p | Not specified | None specified | Prioritizes fluidity and response |
| PS5 | Quality | 30 fps | 2160p | Not specified | None specified | Prioritizes resolution |
| PS5 Pro | Performance | 60 fps | 2160p | Not specified | PSSR is used on PS5 Pro | Combines 60 fps with higher resolution output |
| PS5 Pro | Quality | 30 fps | 2160p | Yes | PSSR is used on PS5 Pro | Prioritizes visual features and ray tracing |
| PS5 Pro | Balanced | 40 fps | 2160p | Yes | 120 Hz compatible display | Middle ground between fluidity and visual features |
There is an important caveat: Remedy describes both frame rate and resolution as targets. The official post is not a performance test and does not state that frame rate remains locked in every scene. It also does not detail internal resolution, reconstruction on the standard PS5, or which specific effects receive ray tracing on PS5 Pro.
Is Balanced mode available on the standard PS5?
No. The announced Balanced mode is exclusive to PS5 Pro. On the standard PS5, the choice is Performance or Quality. On Pro, Remedy uses PSSR and adds the third 40 fps option.
The 120 Hz display requirement makes sense for a 40 fps presentation because each frame can remain on screen for three refresh cycles on a 120 Hz panel. In practical terms, 40 fps produces a frame interval of about 25 ms, between roughly 16.7 ms at 60 fps and 33.3 ms at 30 fps. This lets Balanced deliver an intermediate response level while keeping the ray tracing confirmed for the mode.
Remedy does not say in the announcement that VRR is required for Balanced mode. The explicitly stated requirement is 120 Hz compatibility.
Performance or Quality on the standard PS5?
For standard PS5 players, the main tradeoff is clear. Performance targets 60 fps at 1440p and is likely the better fit for players who want combat to feel more responsive. Quality targets 30 fps at 2160p and better suits players who prefer the higher resolution target announced by Remedy.
The official post does not confirm ray tracing for Quality mode on the standard PS5. Because Remedy mentions ray tracing only when describing Quality and Balanced on PS5 Pro, it is not safe to assume the same feature is present on the base console without further confirmation.
What changes with DualSense?
The DualSense feature detailed by Remedy is the adaptive triggers. Dylan's paranatural combat abilities apply different levels of trigger resistance depending on the action being activated. The developer specifically cites Barrage, which launches projectiles at enemies, and summoning a Volatile Anomaly, a turret-like ally that can be thrown and detonated.
The goal is to make abilities feel physically distinct during combat instead of giving every command the same trigger pressure. That matches the team's stated priority on control feel and responsiveness.
It is important to separate confirmed features from assumptions. The September 15 post discusses adaptive triggers, but it does not detail haptic feedback, the controller speaker, or DualSense lighting. Those features should not be treated as confirmed on the basis of this announcement.
Other confirmed PS5 features
- 3D Audio: confirmed support with a compatible headset.
- Activities: on PS5, players can track main story quest progress through system Activities.
- Game Help: Remedy says Game Help will be available after launch.
- Fast travel: movement between Manhattan's Zones and trips to the Gap are described as near-instantaneous.
Remedy estimates the main story at 25 to 35 hours, with more content for completionists. Control Resonant is the sequel to Control and puts Dylan Faden in the playable lead role in a Manhattan distorted by paranatural forces.
What remains unconfirmed about the modes
Before launch, several technical details remain outside the official announcement. Remedy has not published measurements for frame rate stability in demanding scenes, nor has it explained the internal rendering resolution of each mode. The post also does not specify which reflections, shadows, or other effects use ray tracing on PS5 Pro.
That means the pre-launch comparison should be read as a comparison of announced targets and features, not as a benchmark. After September 24, independent technical testing can show how those targets behave in real gameplay.
Quick decision guide before you play
- On standard PS5, choose Performance if 60 fps is the priority and Quality if you prefer the 2160p target.
- On PS5 Pro, Performance combines 60 fps with 2160p; Quality adds ray tracing at 30 fps.
- Balanced is exclusive to PS5 Pro, targets 40 fps at 2160p with ray tracing, and requires a 120 Hz display.
- DualSense uses adaptive triggers with different resistance levels for paranatural abilities.
- 3D Audio, Activities, and Game Help are also part of the PS5 feature set, with Game Help planned for after launch.
For the specification straight from the source, see Remedy's official PlayStation Blog breakdown. Control Resonant launches on September 24, 2026 for PS5 and PS5 Pro.
