Crimson Desert’s Performance on PS5 and PS5 Pro
Crimson Desert is a highly ambitious game that aims to redefine open-world design. While it has commendable features, our Crimson Desert PS5 review indicates that the game faces significant performance issues on both the PS5 and PS5 Pro. Though these problems may not ruin the experience for everyone, it’s disappointing that such a captivating game is hindered by these flaws.
Digital Foundry recently released a detailed video analysis showcasing the game’s performance on Sony’s two systems, emphasizing that the performance is far from optimal. On the base PS5, none of the three graphical settings truly shine.
The Performance Mode aims for 60 frames per second but suffers from noticeable drops, alongside a blurry 1080p resolution. Interestingly, a recent update from developer Pearl Abyss introduced a 4K output option, which improves image quality but further impacts frame rates. Digital Foundry critiques that “Pearl Abyss has not made the effort to optimise for 60fps on base PS5,” revealing a lack of proper optimization.
Across all settings—Performance, Balanced, and Quality—multiple graphical issues persist, including shimmering on reflective surfaces and inconsistent shadowing. Although Quality mode could be ideal for the standard PS5 if you’re okay with 30fps, it shows improvement in graphical detail, particularly in character models. Balanced mode targets a stable 40fps, but requires a VRR display.
When comparing the PS5 Pro, its enhanced GPU and updated PSSR 2 upscaler significantly elevate performance. Here, Performance mode offers graphical quality aligned with the base PS5’s Quality mode, showcasing a palpable improvement. However, frame rates remain unstable, particularly in bustling areas—often dropping significantly during intense sequences.
Despite the advances, technical bottlenecks remain difficult to resolve without substantial optimization efforts from Pearl Abyss. Digital Foundry also finds the Pro’s Quality mode lacking, as it yields “diminishing returns” and is capped at 30fps. Unlocking the frame rate can boost it to 105fps, but does not prevent significant drops attributed to CPU limitations.
In conclusion, while the PS5 Pro undeniably offers the best experience for playing Crimson Desert, numerous performance issues need addressing. Fortunately, Pearl Abyss has shown a willingness to implement meaningful updates, raising hopes that they’ll prioritize significant performance enhancements on both the PS5 and PS5 Pro soon.
