The Callisto Protocol — PS5 & PS5 Pro performance
Technical analysis last updated
The Callisto Protocol is a cross-generation Unreal Engine 4 release and one of the clearest examples of how far apart the two console generations had grown by late 2022. On PS5 there are two modes: Quality at 30fps with ray-traced reflections, hybrid ray-traced shadows and ray-traced light transmission through skin, and Performance at 60fps with ray tracing disabled and a dynamic 1440p-1728p internal resolution reconstructed to 4K. Loading is close to instant. The last-gen versions are heavily cut back: PS4 Pro runs at a fairly stable 1440p30 and base PS4 around 1080p30 with drops, both with all ray-tracing features removed and reduced textures, geometry, shadows and hair, and real-time cutscenes running at roughly 24fps with visible judder on both. The game predates PS5 Pro and no Pro-specific patch has been documented.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
The PS5 Pro update enables ray tracing within Performance mode while maintaining 60 FPS. Image reconstruction uses TAAU rather than PSSR or FSR, operating between 1296p and 1440p resolution alongside a dedicated 8K output mode.
Adds ray tracing to Performance mode at 60 FPS using TAAU, and introduces a dynamic 8K mode.
Performance Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedMeasured in: Digital Foundry performance analysis
Uses TAAU reconstruction rather than PSSR or FSR 2. Dynamic internal resolution ranges between 1296p and 1440p.
8K Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedEmploys dynamic resolution reaching up to 6K, upscaling to 8K output for a slightly sharper image than 4K.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
Frame-rate targets, resolution, PSSR and ray tracing settings for this platform are still pending independent analysis.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
The PS5 Pro patch enables ray-tracing features in Performance mode while keeping a solid 60 FPS target via TAAU, and adds an 8K output mode.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| PSFoundry Score | Unknown | 81Great |
| Recommended mode | Unknown | Performance Mode |
| Modes available | 0 | 2 |
| Highest target FPS | Unknown | 60 |
| Highest verified capability | Unknown | 60 fps target |
| PSSR | No | No |
| Ray tracing | No | Yes |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | No | No |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- PSFoundry Score
- Unknown
- Recommended mode
- Unknown
- Modes available
- 0
- Highest target FPS
- Unknown
- Highest verified capability
- Unknown
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- PSFoundry Score
- 81Great
- Recommended mode
- Performance Mode
- Modes available
- 2
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- Yes
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
Both Quality and Performance modes experience occasional stutters and minor frame drops during heavier gameplay scenarios.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
007 First Light: PS5, PS5 Pro Technical Review. NX Gamer•6.3K views · 22:20 ... The Callisto Protocol - Angry Review. AngryJoeShow•1.2M views.
The Callisto Protocol PS5 vs PS5 Pro Performance Mode Graphics Comparison and Frame Rate Test Got an idea for my next graphics comparison ...
The Callisto Protocol PS5 Pro Gameplay Review, Frame rate FPS & resolution details of this Dead Space like horror game following one ...
The Callisto Protocol PS5 vs PS5 Pro Frame Rate Test - All Modes tested Timestamps: Base PS5 Quality Mode 00:00 Base PS5 Performance Mode 03 ...
The Callisto Protocol - PS5 Pro Patch tested, PSSR or not? NX Gamer ... The Callisto Protocol - The DF Tech Review + PS5 vs Xbox Series X/ S + PC ...
This is a game that benefits greatly from both the film grain which can improve perceived sharpness of the image and the superb per pixel motion blur.
External links open in a new tab. PSFoundry is not affiliated with the linked publications.
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.
- UnverifiedDigital Foundry's technical review of The Callisto Protocol on PlayStation 5, highlighting Unreal Engine 4 graphics, character rendering, ray-tracing quality mode at 30fps, and dynamic 60fps performanDigital Foundry2022-12-02
Digital Foundry's technical review of The Callisto Protocol on PlayStation 5, highlighting Unreal Engine 4 graphics, character rendering, ray-tracing quality mode at 30fps, and dynamic 60fps performance mode.
Open source - UnverifiedAnalysis of The Callisto Protocol's PS5 Pro patch, which adds ray tracing to Performance Mode while targeting 60 FPS via TAAU reconstruction, and introduces an 8K output mode.Wccftech2024-11-26
Analysis of The Callisto Protocol's PS5 Pro patch, which adds ray tracing to Performance Mode while targeting 60 FPS via TAAU reconstruction, and introduces an 8K output mode.
Open source - UnverifiedThe Callisto Protocol on PS4 and Xbox One - the beginning of the end for cross-gen?Digital Foundry2022-12-12
Graphics modes, resolutions and cross-generation differences for The Callisto Protocol.
Open source
Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does The Callisto Protocol run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, The Callisto Protocol offers 1 graphics mode: Performance Mode targets 60 FPS.
Is The Callisto Protocol worth playing on PS5 Pro?
The PS5 Pro patch enables ray-tracing features in Performance mode while keeping a solid 60 FPS target via TAAU, and adds an 8K output mode.
What is the best graphics mode for The Callisto Protocol on PS5 Pro?
Best overall balance: Performance Mode — Performance Mode targets 60 FPS.
What is the PSFoundry Score of The Callisto Protocol?
The Callisto Protocol scores 81/100 on PS5 Pro. The PSFoundry Score measures technical performance only — frame rate, image quality, graphics modes, visual features, responsiveness, loading and stability — not how good the game is.
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.