Critics have weighed in on the anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro, sharing their opinions.
The long-awaited PlayStation 5 Pro is almost here, and following a lengthy gaming drought in 2024, the console upgrade feels even more impressive. The initial PS5 Pro reviews are out, and it appears our guesses were correct. It does indeed boost performance in certain PS5 games, but unless you possess the suitable TV, setup, digital collection, and $700 to spare, it's safe to stay with your standard PlayStation 5 for now.
Most reviews concur that, based purely on specs, it's the most potent console available at present. However, this might be an overstatement. Sony promises 50 games at launch with the "Enhanced" tag, ranging from Alan Wake 2 to Star Wars Outlaws, and oddly, Kayak VR: Mirage. More might follow, but the quality might vary based on the game. The Washington Post applauded Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for its ray-traced effects that enable it to run at 60 FPS, while Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart may face a decrease in detail, such as fewer people in crowds, when not on "fidelity" mode.
Whether you'll actually notice the improvement in detail is debatable, according to The Verge and others. You might benefit more if you're a monitor-centric gamer with a large 4K screen in front of you. Games without the "enhanced" label won't look any different.
Yes, it's a more powerful console, but most enhancements are to the GPU, boasting faster performance and AI upscaling. An additional 2 GB of slower DDR5 memory is used for non-gaming tasks. The PS5 manages this on the backend, but The Verge reported seeing "individual blades of grass" in The Last of Us Part 1. The site even praised PlayStation 4 games like Bloodborne for looking better with the PS4 image enhancement option.
While most reviewers agreed games looked somewhat better, the aesthetic appeal is subjective. Tom’s Guide praised the AI upscaling in The Last of Us Part II Remastered, offering players "the best of both worlds" for performance and detail. TechRadar similarly commended the upscaling in Horizon Forbidden West, as well as the ray tracing, even if it doesn't match high-end gaming PCs' quality.
The PlayStation 5 Pro boasts 2TB storage, a significant improvement over the 2020 model's base 825GB (667 GB available) SSD. Several outlets pointed out that you can get a 1TB aftermarket SSD for $100 or less on sale to boost the latest PS5 slim mode's 1TB SSD. Essentially, the console is a $100 upgrade for performance purposes if you already own numerous games. However, this overlooks the cost of a new disc drive, stand, or replacement covers.
It's slightly taller than the PS5 slim model, but IGN noted it's not so large as to cause fitting issues on your TV stand. You've likely heard complaints about the lack of a vertical stand and disc drive, but purchasing each separately raises the $700 console to around $800. The extra space aids heat dispersion, and the site reported it still runs at about 95 degrees Fahrenheit under load, just like the regular PS5.
Like the slim, it's a lighter overall design, about three pounds lighter than the 2020 PS5. However, the general consensus is that the regular PS5 is sufficient for most players, especially if you don't own a 4K TV of a large enough scale that makes extra game details noticeable on the $700 console.
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to launch on Nov. 7. Lucky buyers who manage to outwit the scalpers can expect their PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition to ship at the same time.
The PlayStation 5 Pro's technology is expected to shape the future of gaming, with its enhanced capabilities promising superior performance in certain games. According to TechRadar, the ray tracing in Horizon Forbidden West is commendable, even if it doesn't match high-end gaming PCs' quality.
The PlayStation 5 Pro's technology lets you notice individual blades of grass in The Last of Us Part 1, as reported by The Verge. This upgraded console is a testament to the evolving world of tech and the future of gaming.
