Stellar Blade — PS5 & PS5 Pro performance
Technical analysis last updated
Stellar Blade originally launched on PS5 with Performance (60fps), Quality (native 4K at 30fps), and Balanced modes. While Performance mode achieved a locked 60fps, the base PS5 release suffered from visual softness, TAA shimmer, and dropped frames in Balanced mode. On PS5 Pro, the title receives substantial enhancements: Balanced mode now holds a locked 60fps, and the new Pro mode delivers market-leading PSSR upscaling at a locked 60fps (or up to 80fps in HFR 120Hz output mode). Pro Max mode uncaps Quality mode for 50-60fps with VRR. Pro mode on PS5 Pro is the definitive and recommended way to play.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
Introduces Pro and Pro Max modes. Pro mode utilizes PSSR upscaling for greatly improved image clarity at 60fps (up to 80fps with HFR 120Hz), while Pro Max uncaps the Quality mode frame rate for VRR displays.
Pro
PS5 ProUnverifiedPSSR upscaling provides a temporally stable image, eliminating pixel crawl and TAA shimmer. Minor flickering artifacts on sun flare effects.
Balanced
PS5 ProUnverifiedPro Max
PS5 ProUnverifiedUncapped Quality mode visuals.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
On base PS5, Stellar Blade provides responsive action in Performance mode at a locked 60fps, but image quality suffers from TAA shimmering and softness. Quality mode native 4K presentation looks detailed but is limited, while Balanced mode suffers from inconsistent frame rates.
Performance
PS5UnverifiedExhibits image softness, pixel crawl, and TAA shimmering.
Quality
PS5UnverifiedNative 4K image, though TAA shimmering remains visible on fine detail.
Balanced
PS5UnverifiedPS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
PS5 Pro provides a substantial upgrade for Stellar Blade. Pro mode resolves the image quality flaws of the base console using highly effective PSSR reconstruction, while holding a locked 60fps or reaching up to 80fps in HFR 120Hz mode.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| PSFoundry Score | 89Great | Unknown |
| Recommended mode | Performance | Pro |
| Modes available | 3 | 3 |
| Highest target FPS | 60 | 60 |
| Highest verified capability | 60 fps target | 60 fps target |
| PSSR | No | Yes |
| Ray tracing | No | No |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | No | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- PSFoundry Score
- 89Great
- Recommended mode
- Performance
- Modes available
- 3
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- PSFoundry Score
- Unknown
- Recommended mode
- Pro
- Modes available
- 3
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- Yes
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
PSSR upscaling in Pro mode introduces abnormal flickering on the sun and sun flare effects.
The game does not respect system-level PS5 HDR calibration settings, requiring manual adjustment of brightness and contrast in the in-game menu.
Selecting Dolby Atmos at the system level causes the game to output in stereo instead of full surround sound. Switching system audio output to Linear PCM resolves the issue.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
Stellar Blade PS5 - Digital Foundry Tech Review - An Ultra-Polished Action Game. Digital Foundry · 359K ; PS5 Pro Upgraded PSSR + Enhance Image ...
Stellar Blade has finally arrived for PlayStation 5 and we're delighted to say that this is an ultra-polished, highly enjoyable action game.
The PS5 Pro is here and with it's launch brings around 100 enhanced games with Stellar Blade being one of the BEST examples of what ...
Im not sure wth is going on with my version of Stellar Blade. I keep getting stuck on ladders for 5 -10 mins everytime.
Stellar Blade PS5 Pro [PSSR 2.0 Update] Gameplay Review, Frame rate FPS performance & resolution fidelity details of this thrilling action ...
In this video, I show some footage of Stellar Blade playing on my PlayStation 5 PRO in both PRO mode, which targets a higher FPS, and PRO ...
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Sources and verification
Every technical claim on this page is attributed. Nothing is estimated.
PSFoundry is primarily a source-based database. A game is only marked as personally tested when PSFoundry has directly tested it. All other technical information is attributed to its original source.
- UnverifiedStellar Blade on PS5 Pro receives a major technical upgrade via two new options: Pro mode and Pro Max mode. Pro mode leverages PSSR upscaling alongside high internal resolutions to deliver exceptionalDigital Foundry2024-11-22
Stellar Blade on PS5 Pro receives a major technical upgrade via two new options: Pro mode and Pro Max mode. Pro mode leverages PSSR upscaling alongside high internal resolutions to deliver exceptional image clarity at a locked 60fps, or up to 80fps when HFR 120Hz mode is enabled. Pro Max mode uncaps the native 4K Quality mode, targeting 50-60fps for VRR displays.
Open source - UnverifiedStellar Blade on PS5 offers three distinct graphics modes powered by Unreal Engine 4. It achieves excellent stability with a locked 60fps in Performance mode, a VRR-optimized Balanced mode using tempoDigital Foundry2024-04-24
Stellar Blade on PS5 offers three distinct graphics modes powered by Unreal Engine 4. It achieves excellent stability with a locked 60fps in Performance mode, a VRR-optimized Balanced mode using temporal reconstruction, and a native 4K 30fps Quality mode. The game lacks ray tracing but runs exceptionally well with fast loading times and minimal technical issues.
Open source - UnverifiedStellar Blade is cited as one of the titles receiving a commendable performance and visual boost on PlayStation 5 Pro in Digital Foundry's one-year hardware retrospective.Digital Foundry2025-11-06
Stellar Blade is cited as one of the titles receiving a commendable performance and visual boost on PlayStation 5 Pro in Digital Foundry's one-year hardware retrospective.
Open source - UnverifiedReview of Stellar Blade evaluating combat mechanics, level design, and technical performance on PlayStation 5, specifically noting a stable 60 FPS in Performance mode.GameSpot
Review of Stellar Blade evaluating combat mechanics, level design, and technical performance on PlayStation 5, specifically noting a stable 60 FPS in Performance mode.
Open source
Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does Stellar Blade run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, Stellar Blade offers 3 graphics modes: Balanced targets 60 FPS; Pro Max targets 60 FPS; Pro targets 60 FPS.
What frame rate does Stellar Blade run at on PS5?
On PS5, Stellar Blade offers 1 graphics mode: Performance targets 60 FPS.
Does Stellar Blade support 120 Hz on PlayStation?
Yes. Pro on PS5 Pro runs with 120 Hz output on a compatible display. That is a 120 Hz output container with a higher frame-rate range — no mode targets a locked 120 FPS.
Does Stellar Blade use PSSR on PS5 Pro?
Yes. At least one PS5 Pro graphics mode of Stellar Blade uses PSSR, Sony's machine-learning upscaler, according to the sources cited in our analysis.
Is Stellar Blade worth playing on PS5 Pro?
PS5 Pro provides a substantial upgrade for Stellar Blade. Pro mode resolves the image quality flaws of the base console using highly effective PSSR reconstruction, while holding a locked 60fps or reaching up to 80fps in HFR 120Hz mode.
What is the best graphics mode for Stellar Blade on PS5 Pro?
Best overall balance: Pro — Pro targets 60 FPS.
Patch history
Only updates that changed graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features.
We only log updates with a documented effect on graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features. None have been verified for this title yet.
The players' verdict
Recent player impressions of how the game runs on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
We publish player impressions from Reddit, ResetEra and specialist forums only when they discuss how the game actually runs. They never affect the PSFoundry Score.
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Browse the full PlayStation performance database or the PS5 Pro Enhanced games list.