First Crimson Desert PS5 Pro Analysis Calls It ‘A Phenomenal Experience’

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We can finally see how Crimson Desert runs on a console! The team at Digital Foundry recently played the game on the PlayStation 5 Pro and put together a detailed analysis of its performance in this open-world adventure.

Most of the Crimson Desert gameplay footage released so far was recorded on a powerful PC, and players have understandably been worried about how the game will perform on consoles.

Digital Foundry has only tested the game on the PlayStation 5 Pro so far, but their initial feedback is very good – which is a relief!

This version of the game, which is almost finished, includes all three of the graphics settings Pearl Abyss has already revealed.

We’ve got:

  • Performance – 60 frames-per-second targeting 1080p
  • Balanced – 40 frames-per-second targeting 1440p
  • Quality – 30 frames-per-second targeting 4K

All of these settings include ray tracing, beautifully rendering details like reflections. Importantly, the game maintains a smooth frame rate without any noticeable drops.

Because Crimson Desert focuses so much on fast-paced combat, most players will likely prefer the 60fps performance mode. However, a resolution of only 1080p feels a little low by today’s standards, particularly considering how visually impressive the game is.

Fortunately, the PS5 Pro’s performance mode uses PSSR, its built-in AI upscaling technology. According to Digital Foundry, it generally does a good job of increasing resolution to 4K, though some minor visual imperfections can occasionally appear and slightly detract from the experience.

Digital Foundry points out that this analysis covers the existing version of PSSR, not the updated PSSR2. The developers have confirmed that Crimson Desert will use PSSR2, which is expected to fix any visual issues and make the game look even better.

Okay, so it looks like people with a PS5 Pro are really in for a treat! From what I’ve seen, Crimson Desert looks absolutely amazing on the system, and thankfully, it runs pretty smoothly most of the time. It’s a great experience overall!

Digital Foundry points out that the game’s performance isn’t always smooth, especially when the processor is heavily taxed. You might notice frame rate drops in performance mode during demanding scenes – for example, in crowded cities full of people or during intense battles with lots of visual effects.

Thankfully, simply feeling like the game isn’t running well isn’t the biggest issue – many people were primarily concerned about serious performance problems. These issues could likely be fixed with updates and support after the game launches.

The game also includes a v-sync option in the graphics settings. If you have a display that supports VRR, enabling v-sync can allow frame rates to exceed 60fps in performance mode, resulting in smoother gameplay.

If you have this type of screen, this appears to be the best choice, as people are hoping the PSSR 2 will make the picture look better when using performance mode.

Ultimately, Pearl Abyss has created an incredibly impressive game engine. It delivers stunning graphics and remarkable technical feats, especially considering the massive size of Crimson Desert’s open world.

We’re still eager to see how the game performs on a regular PS5. Based on current information, it seems like some adjustments might be necessary to maintain a smooth experience. Keep an eye out for more detailed analysis from Digital Foundry soon.

Overall, the report is very positive, stating that the game looks promising, and especially offers an incredible experience for those with a PlayStation 5 Pro.

What are your thoughts on Crimson Desert’s appearance on the PS5 Pro? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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2026-03-12 19:37