PS5 Pro Games – PlayStation.Blog
Kristen and I had the opportunity to see (and practice) it firsthand. PlayStation Pro first impressions are promising. While we didn’t have time to fully delve into each game at last week’s hands-on event, even a cursory review of the PS5 Pro Enhanced games on display showed immediate and noticeable benefits over the current PS5 console.
It’s been interesting to see how different studios are taking advantage of the PS5 Pro’s advanced hardware. Many PS5 games now let players choose between Fidelity and Performance modes to suit their preferences. Some of the PS5 Pro games we’ve seen seem to combine the benefits of both high fidelity and high performance, taking the experience to the next level.
This “best of both worlds” approach was made perfectly clear in Forbidden Horizon WestPro Performance mode is expected to launch on November 7 alongside the launch of the PS5 Pro. Compared to the default Performance mode on the PS5, the extra power the PS5 Pro brings allows for the same high frame rates while significantly improving image quality. The roughness in fine environmental details like moss, leaves, and red stealth bushes has been removed, but even some textures and holograms look significantly cleaner and sharper. Pro Performance mode also benefits the game’s volumetric effects; dim sunbeams don’t have the distracting sparkles and flickers we noticed in the PS5’s default Performance mode.
The Rebirth of Final Fantasy VII showed off the PS5 Pro in an impressive way, showing off high frame rates and sharp visuals in the new Enhanced Mode that’s due out on November 7. While exploring the countryside, we observed crystal-clear vistas free of distracting flicker and visual noise, especially in classic trouble spots like trees and structures in the distance. We then visited the high-contrast environments of Gold Saucer, where neon lights stood out against darker environmental surfaces. Perhaps more importantly, the high frame rate brought tangible benefits to combat and movement, making this a significant upgrade.
The Last of Us Part II Remade provided another impressive demonstration of the PS5 Pro’s vision of high image quality combined with high frame rates. Blades of grass and leaves are clearly resolved, without any distracting shimmering effects or visual noise. Likewise, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 seen running at both high frame rates and resolutions in Fidelity mode, the sharpness and feature set, including its signature ray-traced reflections, make for a stunning presentation overall, balancing the small trade-offs to deliver the best-looking Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 experience we saw on PlayStation.
Which brings us to another topic: ray tracing has seen a more than 2x performance increase on the PS5 Pro. And while not every game is taking advantage of this unique technology, we’re seeing some very interesting results in our early testing of the PS5 Pro.
Hogwarts Legacy is taking a unique approach to the PS5 Pro by emphasizing ray tracing quality with a new Ray Tracing Fidelity Mode that will debut at launch. Based on what we’ve seen, the new mode offers a big boost to the lighting system by adding ray-traced shadows and enhanced ray-traced reflections, all while aiming for a steady 30fps. Seeing your character realistically reflected in armor is a great demonstration of the potential of ray tracing, while the upgraded RT shadows add another visual touch to an already polished game. While ray tracing seems to be the main focus for developer Avalanche, the game’s Performance Mode and Fidelity Mode will also see quality improvements.
GT7 is aiming for a November release for a new patch that will add a number of new PS5 Pro-focused rendering modes, including a Raytrace Priority mode that adds eye-catching new car reflection effects. F1 24 is upgrading the Quality mode to add new ray tracing effects, which are especially effective on rainy tracks and make the tracks more realistic and lifelike.
The GT7 will also include an optional and experimental 8K/60fps rendering mode, with an emphasis on super-sharp, super-clear visuals (yes, you need an 8K display).
Those are just our first impressions. We can’t wait to get to experience the PS5 Pro more when it launches on November 7.
Learn more about how game creators are taking advantage of the PlayStation 5 Pro console.
Ray tracing and high frame rates are only available on select PS5 games that are enhanced for PS5 Pro compared to PS5. PS5 Pro enhancements will vary by game. Enhancements require a compatible display.
