Apex Legends PC Performance Review

Graphical Settings Comparison Low VS Max

Multiplayer games are restricted when it comes to graphical options, especially when it comes to draw distances. If your opponent is hiding behind cover, they need to be sure that their cover is blocking their opponent's view, even when the game is played at its lowest settings. Simply not drawing distant geometry is not an option in a competitive multiplayer environment. 

In multiplayer games with large maps, this means that draw distances need to be far-reaching, even at the game's lowest settings. In the case of Apex Legends, this means that the game looks remarkably similar at its slowest and maximum settings, with the biggest changes being in model quality, shadow quality and ambient occlusion quality. 

When playing Apex Legends at its lowest settings the game remains playable, offering notably worse graphics but a completely playable experience. In these screenshots, we tested the title with 8GB of VRAM selected. VRAM capacity differences are detailed on page 9 and the 6GB and 8GB options offer no noticeable graphical differences at 1080p and 1440p.    
  

(Minimum Settings (+TSAA) VS Maximum Settings)

 
In this next set of screenshots, we can better see the impact of ambient occlusion on Apex Legends and how little the game changes at lower settings otherwise. The PS4 and Xbox One versions of Apex Legends lacks Ambient Occlusion for performance reasons, making the effect exclusive to PS4 Pro, Xbox One X and PC. 

Ambient Occlusion is the biggest single performance changing setting that is included in Apex Legends, making it the first thing that is worth turning down in the name of higher framerates. In the heat of action, you will barely spot the difference between the lower and higher ambient occlusion settings. Hell, a lot of gamers wouldn't even notice if it was turned off entirely. 

 
(Minimum Settings (+TSAA) VS Maximum Settings)