Returnal
Returnal targets 60fps across PS5 and PS5 Pro with no visual mode toggles. On base PS5, the game renders at a static 1080p temporally reconstructed to 1440p and checkerboard upscaled to 4K, accompanied by minor frame drops into the mid-50s during heavy combat and respawns. The PS5 Pro upgrade replaces the fixed 1080p resolution with dynamic resolution scaling ranging from 1350p to 1728p, dramatically improving clarity and eliminating combat frame drops. Ray tracing features from the PC version remain absent on both consoles. The Pro patch represents a significant image quality and stability upgrade over base PS5.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
PS5 Pro substantially improves visual clarity by replacing static 1080p rendering with dynamic resolution scaling up to 1728p. Frame rates are effectively locked to 60fps during heavy encounters, though occasional 50ms frame-time hitches occur when attacking enemies.
Adds dynamic resolution scaling from 1350p to 1728p and locks performance tightly to 60fps in previously dropped boss fight scenarios.
Default Mode
PS5 ProDynamic resolution scaling ranging from 2400x1350 in intense boss fights up to 3072x1728 peak resolution, upscaling to 4K output. Significantly reduces aliasing and moire artifacts compared to base PS5.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
Base PS5 delivers a solid 60fps target using a static 1080p resolution upscaled to 4K via temporal reconstruction and checkerboard rendering. Heavy particle effects and boss fights can trigger brief drops into the mid-50s, alongside minor traversal stutter between biomes.
Default Mode
PS5Static 1080p base resolution temporally reconstructed to 1440p and checkerboard upscaled to 4K. Shows high-frequency pixel noise and moire patterns on fine details.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
Returnal on PS5 Pro provides up to a 2.56x internal resolution boost (scaling from 1350p to 1728p via DRS) compared to base PS5's static 1080p, resulting in a much cleaner 4K presentation. Boss fights and intensive battles that previously dipped into the 50s on base PS5 are now locked to 60fps.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 72Good | 73Good |
| Recommended mode | Default Mode | Default Mode |
| Modes available | 1 | 1 |
| Peak target FPS | 60 | 60 |
| PSSR | No | No |
| Ray tracing | No | No |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | No | No |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- Performance Score
- 72Good
- Recommended mode
- Default Mode
- Modes available
- 1
- Peak target FPS
- 60
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- Performance Score
- 73Good
- Recommended mode
- Default Mode
- Modes available
- 1
- Peak target FPS
- 60
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
A minor frame-time spike to 50ms (dropped frames) occasionally occurs right as an attack connects with an enemy on PS5 Pro.
Brief one-frame stutter blips occur when moving between different areas and biomes.
Performance can drop into the 50-60 fps range when dense particle effects fill the screen or during environmental traversal.
Temporal reconstruction and checkerboard upscaling cause visible moiré patterns on specular surfaces such as wet ground and water.
FSR upscaling causes particle effects to break up, flicker, and look soft during action scenarios.
Frame rate can dip below the 60fps target during demanding combat encounters.
Real-time cutscenes drop to 30fps while pre-rendered cutscenes run at 24fps.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
This is a game where you are attempting to break the cycle as to say you are stuck in a NeverEnding Loop of memories some gained some lost some forgot.
Join Alex Battaglia for a deep dive into the fascinating PC port of the PlayStation 5 masterpiece, Returnal. This is a PC version with so ...
Returnal is one of the best sounding games. The sounds are addictive. I know John would appreciate that.
Returnal uses an heavily modified unreal engine 4, and runs at 1080P on base PS5. Saros runs at around 1250P on base PS5, and it's again an ...
PS5 Pro is an improvement over the base model in holding 60 fps plus we're getting a sharper image into the bargain too.
Housemarque's PlayStation 5 exclusive - Returnal - has launched it's something very, very special. Join Alex Battaglia and John Linneman for ...
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Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does Returnal run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, Returnal offers 1 graphics mode: Default Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K.
What frame rate does Returnal run at on PS5?
On PS5, Returnal offers 1 graphics mode: Default Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K.
Is Returnal worth playing on PS5 Pro?
Returnal on PS5 Pro provides up to a 2.56x internal resolution boost (scaling from 1350p to 1728p via DRS) compared to base PS5's static 1080p, resulting in a much cleaner 4K presentation. Boss fights and intensive battles that previously dipped into the 50s on base PS5 are now locked to 60fps.
What is the PSFoundry Performance Score of Returnal?
Returnal scores 73/100 on PS5 Pro. The Performance Score measures technical performance only — frame rate, image quality, graphics modes, visual features, responsiveness, loading and stability — not how good the game is.
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