Best Xbox Series X/S Settings for Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
The top pick for most players is the Performance mode with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled on Xbox Series X, paired with a slight reduction in the field of view (FOV) to around 90. This combination delivers a smooth, responsive experience that makes the game’s traversal and combat feel far more fluid, and the visual trade-off is minor on most displays. For Xbox Series S, the best setting is simply the Performance mode, as the console’s hardware benefits most from a stable frame rate over resolution.
What to Look For
When tweaking Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey on Xbox Series X|S, you’re balancing three main things: frame rate, resolution, and field of view. The game offers two primary graphics modes on the newer consoles, and the choice between them dramatically changes how the game feels. Here’s what actually matters:
- Frame Rate (FPS): This is the most important factor. The game runs at either 30 FPS (Quality) or 60 FPS (Performance). A higher frame rate makes the camera movement and character actions feel much more responsive and reduces motion blur, which is crucial for a game that involves a lot of climbing, jumping, and escaping predators.
- Resolution: The Quality mode targets 4K on Series X and 1440p on Series S, offering sharper textures and more detail. The Performance mode drops the resolution (to around 1440p on Series X and 1080p on Series S) to achieve the higher frame rate.
- Field of View (FOV): This slider is often overlooked. A higher FOV lets you see more of your surroundings, which is great for spotting threats and resources, but it can slightly reduce performance and make distant objects appear smaller. A lower FOV is more zoomed-in, making it easier to see details but reducing situational awareness.
- Display Refresh Rate: If your TV or monitor supports 120Hz, you can enable it in the Xbox system settings. While Ancestors doesn’t hit 120 FPS, enabling 120Hz can reduce input lag and make the 60 FPS mode feel even smoother.
Recommended Settings for Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is powerful enough to give you a choice between a high-resolution experience and a high-performance one. Here are the best configurations based on your priorities.
1. Balanced Performance (Top Pick)
Settings: Performance Mode, FOV 90, 120Hz enabled (if available).
Strengths: This is the sweet spot for most players. You get a rock-solid 60 FPS, which makes the game feel dramatically better than 30 FPS. The FOV is wide enough to see threats from the side, and the 120Hz refresh rate (even if the game isn’t running at 120 FPS) reduces screen tearing and input lag, making the controls feel more direct.
Trade-offs: You sacrifice some resolution and texture detail compared to Quality mode. The game won’t look as sharp on a large 4K TV, but the fluidity is worth it for the gameplay.
Who it suits: Most players, especially those who find the 30 FPS Quality mode to feel sluggish or who have a 120Hz display. It’s the best way to experience the game’s core loop of exploration and survival.
2. Maximum Visual Fidelity
Settings: Quality Mode, FOV 80, 60Hz refresh rate.
Strengths: This mode delivers the best-looking version of the game on Xbox. The 4K resolution makes the jungle environments and animal models significantly sharper, and the enhanced lighting and shadows create a more atmospheric world. It’s a beautiful way to experience the game’s stunning prehistoric setting.
Trade-offs: The frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, which can feel choppy, especially during fast-paced moments like being chased by a sabretooth tiger. The lower FOV can also make you feel a bit claustrophobic.
Who it suits: Players who prioritize visual quality over performance, who play on a large 4K TV, and who are willing to accept the lower frame rate for a more cinematic experience.
3. Maximum Field of View
Settings: Performance Mode, FOV 100, 60Hz refresh rate.
Strengths: This setting maximizes your situational awareness. Seeing more of the jungle around you makes it much easier to spot predators, fruit, and other hominids before they’re right on top of you. It’s a great choice for exploration and avoiding surprise attacks.
Trade-offs: At FOV 100, you may notice a slight drop in frame rate in dense areas, and distant objects will appear smaller, which can make it harder to spot specific items. The visual ‘fisheye’ effect can also be distracting for some.
Who it suits: Players who find themselves getting ambushed often and want to see as much of the world as possible. It’s a good option for those who are less sensitive to performance dips.
Recommended Settings for Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S is less powerful than the Series X, so the choice is more straightforward: prioritize a stable frame rate.
4. The Only Real Option (Performance Mode)
Settings: Performance Mode, FOV 85, 60Hz refresh rate.
Strengths: This is the only way to get a smooth, playable experience on the Series S. The game targets 1440p in Quality mode, but it often struggles to maintain 30 FPS, leading to stuttering. Performance mode targets 1080p and delivers a much more consistent 60 FPS, which is essential for a game that requires precise timing for jumps and combat.
Trade-offs: The graphics are noticeably softer than on the Series X, and you won’t get the full 4K experience. However, the game still looks good on a 1080p or 1440p monitor.
Who it suits: All Xbox Series S owners. There is no compelling reason to choose Quality mode on this hardware.
How to Choose
Your choice ultimately comes down to your display and your personal preference for smoothness versus sharpness.
If you have a 120Hz display: Always enable 120Hz in your Xbox display settings, then choose Performance mode. This gives you the best of both worlds: high frame rate and reduced input lag.
If you have a standard 60Hz 4K TV: You have a real choice. If you’re a gamer who values responsiveness and fluid motion, go with Performance mode. If you’re a more casual player who enjoys the scenery and doesn’t mind 30 FPS, Quality mode is a viable option.
If you’re playing on a monitor: Monitors typically have lower input lag and higher refresh rates. Performance mode is almost always the best choice here, as the higher frame rate will feel noticeably better.
The common trade-off: Remember that you are always trading resolution for frame rate. There is no setting that gives you both 4K and 60 FPS in this game on current consoles. The FOV slider is a personal preference, but a value between 85 and 95 is a good compromise between awareness and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the game run at 120 FPS on Xbox Series X?
No. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is capped at 60 FPS in Performance mode and 30 FPS in Quality mode. Enabling 120Hz on your console does not unlock a higher frame rate, but it can reduce input lag and screen tearing.
What is the difference between Quality and Performance mode?
Quality mode runs at a higher resolution (4K on Series X, 1440p on Series S) but is capped at 30 FPS. Performance mode runs at a lower resolution (1440p on Series X, 1080p on Series S) but targets 60 FPS.
Should I increase the FOV?
It’s a personal preference. A higher FOV (90-100) lets you see more of the environment, which is helpful for spotting threats and resources. However, it can make distant objects appear smaller and may cause a slight performance dip on the Series S. A FOV of 85-95 is a good starting point.
Is there a ray tracing mode?
No. The game does not have a ray tracing option on any console. The graphical enhancements on the Series X|S are limited to resolution and frame rate improvements over the base Xbox One version.
Will the game get a 120 FPS update?
There has been no official announcement from the developers about a 120 FPS update. As of now, the game remains capped at 60 FPS.
Does the game support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)?
Yes, the game supports VRR on both Xbox Series X and Series S. If your TV supports VRR, it’s recommended to enable it in your Xbox display settings, as it will help reduce screen tearing and make frame rate fluctuations less noticeable.
Bottom Line
For the best overall experience on Xbox Series X, choose Performance mode with an FOV of around 90. This gives you a smooth, responsive game that feels modern and enjoyable. On Xbox Series S, Performance mode is the only sensible choice. While the Quality mode offers a higher resolution, the 30 FPS cap makes the game feel dated and less enjoyable to play. Prioritize frame rate, and you’ll have a much better time exploring the world of Ancestors.
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