Avowed It runs technically smoothly on the PlayStation 5, but without any visible ambitions beyond the standard. A recent analysis by Digital Foundry It clearly shows where Sony's console holds its own and where it falls short in direct comparison.
This is interesting because Avowed, as an Unreal Engine 5 title, should represent precisely the generation that is slowly delivering more than just stable frame rates. The only question is raised by the limited PS5 Pro support.
Avowed in quality mode: Stable, but not flawless
In quality mode, the PS5 and Xbox Series X aim for the classic 30 frames per second. On paper, the visual settings are almost identical: vegetation, shadow quality, and reflections are at a comparable level. Hardware-accelerated lumen reflections are also present, albeit in a simplified form that clearly falls short of PC performance.
The difference lies in the details. The PS5 uses dynamic resolution scaling with a target of 1440p, but drops below that more frequently than the Xbox Series X. More crucial is the frame pacing: While the PS5 maintains 30 fps, it exhibits more noticeable frame rate spikes. The result isn't stuttering, but a subtly less stable image that sensitive players will perceive.
Performance mode: Small sacrifices for more speed
In Performance mode, the differences become more pronounced. To achieve 60 fps, the PS5 primarily reduces distant shadows and slightly simplifies vegetation. The resolution also scales more aggressively: In demanding scenes, it visibly drops below the level of the Xbox Series X.
Interestingly, despite these limitations, the PS5 often maintains a slightly more stable frame rate, staying closer to 60 fps in quieter sections. In complex areas, both consoles fluctuate between 50 and 60 fps – not a disaster, but also not a showcase result for UE5.
PS5 Pro: More stability, but little added value for now
The PS5 Pro may carry the "Enhanced" label, but it offers hardly any exclusive advantages. There are no higher resolutions or additional ray tracing features, and it still uses FSR instead of PSSR. The only positive aspect is the more consistent frame rate in Performance mode. Anyone expecting a real visual leap will be disappointed. It's also suspected that the developers are focusing on the upcoming release of... PSSR 2.0 They might have waited and simply skipped over the current tech.
Avowed On PS5, it displays a reliable but very cautious technical implementation. Playable, but without the feeling of truly pushing the new hardware to its limits. Those seeking technical brilliance won't find it here – but those looking for stability will.
Further impressions from the game are provided our current review.
"because Avowed, as an Unreal Engine 5 title, should actually represent the generation that is slowly delivering more than just stable frame rates"
That's unfortunately a common misconception. Unreal Engine 5 is completely bloated and poorly optimized because it was programmed not only for game development but also for film and technical applications. And in game development, UE5 is primarily tailored to Epic's own game, Fortnite – stylized graphics with a dynamic world (build/destroy).
To make this resource-hungry engine usable, a considerable amount of optimization is required from the game developer, which most either cannot afford or do not want to do.
Therefore, cheap tricks are often used to compensate, leading to ugly imperfections in order to deliver a barely acceptable performance.
It's not to be expected that anyone would invest the budget for proper engine optimization in a Microsoft Game Pass title like Avowed, which can safely be considered an unambitious portfolio filler, even if the technical know-how were available.