Analyzing the PlayStation 5 Pro: Performance Gains and Emerging Issues
The PlayStation 5 Pro has been available for over a week, showcasing remarkable enhancements across numerous titles. However, some games are experiencing new challenges that detract from their visual quality. Notable examples include Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and the Silent Hill 2 remake, which have drawn scrutiny from both players and analysts at Digital Foundry.
Enhanced Graphics Capabilities
The PS5 Pro is designed to introduce additional graphical modes aimed at improving gameplay experiences by enabling higher frame rates without compromising visual fidelity. This advancement is largely attributed to the innovative PSSR upscaling technology. Many first-party hits like Spider-Man 2 and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, along with third-party exclusives such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, have successfully leveraged these enhancements. Unfortunately, not all titles are reaping the benefits of this upgrade.
Visual Quality Concerns in Specific Titles
Digital Foundry’s analysis of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on the PS5 Pro revealed significant “problematic image quality issues,” particularly within its 60fps performance mode. A key concern lies in how foliage interacts with the new ray-tracing feature, resulting in a distracting “strobing” effect that gives bushes an unsettling shimmer. The game had already faced criticism for its launch-day visual glitches, and many current issues seem tied to a dynamic resolution that can plummet to as low as 720p.
In contrast, players eagerly await updates for the Silent Hill 2 remake; however, no official enhancement has been released yet. Despite expectations that improved hardware would stabilize visuals or enhance performance slightly, gamers have reported ongoing shimmering problems since launch week. One enthusiastic player expressed frustration while praising the game’s mechanics but lamented its poor visuals: “I absolutely adore this game and I cannot stop playing it even though I want to… A PS5 Pro enhancement is absolutely necessary in this case.”
Theories Behind Performance Issues
While there hasn’t been any official clarification regarding these problems—whether they stem from game development or console limitations—some theories suggest that games with base resolutions below 1080p may struggle when upscaled by PSSR technology on the PS5 Pro. Conversely, titles boasting higher base resolutions appear less affected by these scaling challenges.
Digital Foundry’s Alex Battaglia commented on this issue during a recent discussion: “It seems developers should be cautious about implementing PSSR indiscriminately unless they can confidently assess whether it genuinely enhances output.” He emphasized that if existing models cannot effectively upscale lower resolutions without degrading quality, then such features should be reconsidered before being added.
Currently facing similar performance concerns are upcoming titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Alan Wake 2, both of which operate below a native resolution of 1080p on PS5 Pro.
Conclusion: A Mixed Launch Experience
Despite numerous games benefiting from enhanced capabilities tailored for PS5 Pro—and thousands more enjoying overall improvements due to superior hardware—the emergence of notable flaws raises questions about its initial rollout experience. Given its substantial price tag of $700, addressing these issues will be crucial for maintaining consumer confidence moving forward.