Unsurprisingly, the PS5 Pro surpasses the standard PS5 model in "007 First Light" in image quality through the use of PSSR 2.0 and a higher internal resolution at a constant 60 frames per second.
While the base console in performance mode drops to a native resolution of sometimes only 720p and struggles with the reconstruction artifacts of AMD's FSR 3.1.5, the PS5 Pro delivers a stable and sharp image. IO Interactive's first purely current-gen game thus exposes the technical performance differences between the Sony consoles.
The FSR reconstruction slows down the base PS5.
The biggest technical deficit of “007 First LightAccording to Digital Foundry, this feature is found on the standard PS5 in the image restoration of Performance mode. To maintain the target frame rate of 60 frames per second, the internal pixel density drops to 720p, or slightly higher in exceptional cases. The high-resolution 4K panel is then fed via AMD's FSR 3.1.5, as is also the case in... our review detected.
In practice, this aggressive scaling leads to visible image noise. Static scenes tend to flicker, object edges appear jagged, and fine geometries such as vegetation break down into digital reconstruction errors during fast camera pans.
The optional quality mode stabilizes the image with an average resolution of 1152p, but limits gameplay to 30 frames per second. The software solution for global illumination (RTGI) remains identical in both modes, but due to its reliance on screen-space information, it also produces artifacts during fast movements outside the field of view.
Second-generation PSSR ensures image stability
This scaling issue doesn't exist on the PS5 Pro. The hardware raises the internal base resolution to around 1000p in its single graphics mode, providing the engine with more raw data. However, the crucial difference lies in PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).
The algorithm works in 007 First Light Already in its improved, second generation. A manual check by disabling the extended PSSR toggle in the system menu reveals no visual changes, confirming the native use of the updated AI variant. Edges are precisely smoothed, and the typical FSR graininess on fine surfaces disappears completely. Additionally, the Pro variant adopts the sharper shadow filters of the base console's 30 FPS mode, while maintaining the full frame rate. No blurring whatsoever.
Frame rate analysis shows high processor optimization
In terms of frame rate, the in-house Glacier engine demonstrates excellent optimization. The game was designed from the ground up for 60 frames per second, which is confirmed by measurements on both systems. The PS5 Pro maintains a virtually stable 60 FPS for almost the entire duration of the game. Only during abrupt cuts within cutscenes are there occasional, brief frame drops.
The base PS5 also delivers a very consistent 60 FPS in Performance mode. The only noteworthy exception is a fast reverse drive during the heavily advertised chase sequence, where the engine briefly stutters. The standard console's Quality mode consistently runs the game at 30 FPS.
“007 First Light” is not a gameplay-based action clone of the Uncharted brand, but rather a slower-paced, systemic approach. An agent game in the tradition of the Hitman series.. Technically, the title reinforces the exclusive current-gen approach, but also reveals the limitations of the base hardware.
Anyone wanting to play at 60 frames per second on the standard PS5 will have to accept significant compromises in image stability due to FSR upscaling. The PS5 Pro is clearly the better choice for demanding gamers: thanks to PSSR 2.0, it delivers a sharper, smoother image while maintaining consistent performance.
What good is the most beautiful graphics if you can't understand the dialogue because of the dialect?
The developers have clearly never heard of accessibility?
Yes, you're right, but you saw how the game was defended. I don't think there's anything to defend if you can't achieve 1080p at 60fps without AI upscaling, as if the base PS5 is being pushed to its limits. I'm glad I skipped it. I'd rather play Forza Horizon 6, even though I don't like racing games, but hey, it's fully localized and the game manages 1080p at 60fps, and that's with a much larger world.
It's really hardcore that they can't achieve native 1080p; besides the German dubbing, that's another fail. And sorry, but the graphics don't look great either, so it's incomprehensible that they can't achieve 1080p even with AI upscaling. It begs the question why they're giving such high ratings if they can't even meet industry standards. The developers need to keep optimizing.