The PlayStation 5 Pro is generating buzz among console gamers seeking the ultimate visual experience. Hands-on impressions reveal that the mid-generation refresh delivers on its promise of enhanced fidelity. Games like Gran Turismo 7 with its in-race 60FPS ray tracing, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 running at 60 FPS with Fidelity Mode visuals all showcase the Pro’s capabilities. Add in PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling, which utilizes AI similar to NVIDIA’s DLSS, and the Pro’s visual appeal becomes undeniable, especially considering the lukewarm reception its predecessor received.
However, while the PS5 Pro, priced at $699, offers significant visual improvements, it can’t compete with the performance and ray-tracing capabilities of a high-end or mid-range GeForce RTX 40 Series GPU. This is evident in the case of Remedy’s Alan Wake 2, a game that pushes the boundaries of visual fidelity.
Alan Wake 2 benefits from PlayStation 5 Pro enhancements, including the addition of ray tracing to its Quality or Fidelity mode. PSSR also contributes to improved visuals, effects, and overall image quality in the 60 FPS Performance mode. As Thomas Puha, Communications Director at Remedy Entertainment, states, “With a game like Alan Wake 2, where the mood and environmental story-telling are essential, bringing ray tracing to the game as a brand new feature adds another layer of immersion.” Remedy has utilized the PS5 Pro’s additional power to enhance the visuals and effects in the 60 FPS Performance mode by increasing the output resolution to 4K, resulting in a visually superior experience compared to the standard PS5.
While the footage showcased during the PS5 Pro’s reveal only presented 30 FPS Fidelity and 60 FPS Performance modes, it’s worth noting that on PC, with full path tracing, Alan Wake 2 sets a demanding standard for visual fidelity, requiring DLSS and Frame Generation to achieve 4K 60+ FPS on a GeForce RTX 4090. A key factor contributing to Alan Wake 2’s impressive ray tracing is DLSS 3.5 Ray Reconstruction, a game-changing technology exclusive to GeForce RTX GPUs. This technology, combined with the game’s cinematic presentation and slow pace, makes it entirely playable at 30FPS. However, even with the PS5 Pro’s enhanced ray tracing, it won’t be able to match the visual heights of the game running with full ray tracing on a high-end PC.
The PS5 Pro is undoubtedly a compelling upgrade for console gamers, delivering significant visual enhancements. However, when it comes to the ultimate in ray-tracing fidelity, a high-end PC setup remains the undisputed champion, especially when considering games like Alan Wake 2 that push the boundaries of visual fidelity.
