God of War Ragnarok’s PS5 Pro Upgrade Ought to Establish a New Benchmark

The recent update version 06.00 for God of War Ragnarok brought some exciting new features, but what really caught everyone’s attention were the enhancements for the PS5 Pro. Most notably, the update introduced a PS5 Pro Enhanced Mode, allowing the game to run at a silky-smooth 60 fps on the Favor Quality setting. Plus, a new High Frame Rate Mode pushes the boundary even further, letting players with VRR-capable screens experience frame rates up to 120 fps. This is a game-changer, particularly for those avid gamers who are used to high-refresh-rate monitors.

Alongside these frame rate improvements, the update also embraced the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling option, noticeably sharpening the image quality over traditional Temporal Anti-Aliasing. While there were various tweaks and adjustments, the ability for gamers to enjoy God of War Ragnarok with twice the frame rate and enhanced visuals marks a significant milestone. Other studios aiming for PS5 Pro optimizations should definitely look to this update as a prime example.

As the demand for superior gaming performance grows with more accessible 4K displays and high-refresh-rate monitors, the introduction of the PS5 Pro couldn’t have come at a better time. The base PS5 had already set a high bar with 4K visuals and 60 fps capabilities for most titles. However, the PS5 Pro steps up the game with its beefier GPU, enhanced memory bandwidth, and improved thermal design. Such advancements mean that developers can push their creations further, meeting the rising expectations of console gamers looking for an experience on par with, or even surpassing, PCs.

Traditionally, console users have had to choose between “Performance Mode” for smoother frame rates or “Quality Mode” for enhanced visuals. The PS5 Pro, however, aims to break this cycle, offering gamers both without a significant compromise. Developers should strive to make doubled frame rates a standard for PS5 Pro optimized titles. Santa Monica Studio has paved this new path with God of War Ragnarok, showing others exactly what’s achievable with the right technical finesse.

In the world of cross-platform multiplayer games, console players often grapple with lower frame rates, putting them at a disadvantage compared to PC players who enjoy higher fps. Faster frame rates lead to reduced input latency, allowing for faster reactions — a potentially decisive edge in competitive scenarios like shooters. Though God of War Ragnarok doesn’t face this issue, other games might benefit from utilizing the PS5 Pro’s capabilities to enhance responsiveness. Xbox has already made strides in this area with its FPS Boost, and it’s only a matter of time before others catch up.

Playing God of War Ragnarok at 120 fps transforms the experience. The combat becomes a dance of fluidity, with Kratos’s actions appearing seamless and more engaging. Casual players might not pinpoint the difference immediately, but after tasting both 60 and 120 fps, the enhanced version feels profoundly different. With quicker response times, players can block, dodge, and attack with precision during intense boss fights. The immersive environment of the Nine Realms looks even more vivid, thanks to the natural camera movement and smooth transitions. However, enjoying these benefits requires a setup with a compatible VRR display.

With game developers, including Sony, aiming to offer more titles with 120 fps options, educating players about investing in compatible displays is essential. As these enhanced modes become more prevalent, understanding these investments’ value will enrich players’ gaming experiences significantly.