Should You Play on Performance or Graphics Mode in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth? – Differences Explained

Decisions, decisions...

Screenshot of Cloud in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Screenshot by Prima Games

There are two modes in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, each prioritizing a different option that affects how the game runs. Here’s what you need to know about the Performance and Graphics modes in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and their differences.

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Difference Between Performance and Graphics Mode in FF7 Rebirth

Depending on your style of play, you can choose between two modes in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Performance and Graphics. The main difference between them is framerate; Performance favors how smoothly the game runs, while Graphics makes it look even prettier.

Performance mode runs at a silky smooth 60 frames per second and prioritizes framerate over graphical quality. This doesn’t mean that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth looks bad in this mode by any means, but it does mean that it won’t look as good as it could. On the flip side, Graphics mode runs at 30 FPS and prioritizes various graphical settings, such as texture and shadow quality, over a 60 FPS framerate.

As you can see in the screenshots below (Performance on the left, Graphics on the right), the textures in Performance mode are slightly more blurry and have a slight bloom to them, while Graphics mode looks more detailed and sharp overall. It’s most noticeable when you look at grass and foliage textures.

Should I Choose Performance or Graphics Mode?

The choice between Performance or Graphics mode in FF7 Rebirth largely comes down to the type of player you are. If you prefer to play your games with the best framerate possible, then Performance mode will likely be your jam. Conversely, if you want to see every little detail and experience the prettiest version of Gaia, Graphics mode will be more your cup of tea.

As I mentioned in my Final Fantasy VII Rebirth preview, I prefer Graphics mode to Performance mode. Playing at 30 frames per second doesn’t bother me, and I think the game looks much better in Graphics mode. But it’s very much a “your mileage may vary” type of situation here, so go with what fits you best because, ultimately, it doesn’t matter much.

How to Switch Between Graphics and Performance Mode in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

To try the two modes out for yourself or to swap if you’ve decided you don’t like your current setting, follow the steps below to switch between Graphics and Performance mode in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth:

  1. Press the Options button (☰) to open the menu.
  2. Scroll down and select “System.”
  3. Click on “Options.”
  4. Navigate to “Graphics.”
  5. Use the D-Pad to choose either Performance or Graphics mode.
  6. Your changes will save automatically.

Now that you know which mode to choose, find out how to claim the save file and FF7 Rebirth Demo bonus items in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

About the Author

Meg Bethany Koepp

Meg is Managing Editor at Prima Games. She began as a video games journalist in the UK in 2014, and went on to study Games Journalism & PR (yes, it exists) in 2015. In 2018, she left university to move to the USA, where she eventually joined Prima Games in May 2022. When she's not working, you can find her making miniatures, training Pokémon, or playing Queen's Blood in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. You can contact Meg at [email protected].