The First Descendant — PS5 & PS5 Pro performance
Technical analysis last updated
The First Descendant on PS5 offers a wide variety of display modes, but performance varies significantly depending on settings. The standard 60fps Performance Mode delivers the most stable reflex-focused experience, while the 40Hz Balanced Mode is a strong option for 120Hz displays. Utilizing FSR 3 Frame Generation pushes target frame rates up to 90fps on PS5 but introduces severe frame-time stutter that VRR fails to fix. Ray Tracing mode adds minor ambient occlusion improvements but causes crashes, making standard rasterised modes the recommended choice.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
The First Descendant on PS5 Pro integrates expanded ray tracing for improved lighting and shadows alongside PSSR upscaling. Developers are also working on FSR 3.1 Frame Generation to further enhance framerates.
Leverages PS5 Pro GPU architecture for expanded ray-traced lighting and shadows, PSSR upscaling, and planned FSR 3.1 Frame Generation support.
Enhanced Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedExpanded ray tracing for realistic lighting and shadows; PSSR provides higher resolution and image quality.
Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5 ProUnverifiedFixed 2240x1260 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Balanced Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5 ProUnverifiedFixed 1080p internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Performance Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5 ProUnverifiedFixed 1494x840 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Fidelity Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedDynamic 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Balanced Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedDynamic 2080x1170 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Performance Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedDynamic 720p to 1440p internal resolution reconstructing to a maximum 1440p container rescaled to 4K.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
The First Descendant on PS5 provides multiple visual configurations, though only a few deliver optimal results. The standard Performance Mode and 40Hz Balanced Mode offer the smoothest overall gameplay. FSR 3 Frame Generation creates erratic frame pacing with non-functional VRR, while Ray Tracing causes frequent software lock-ups.
Balanced Mode
PS5UnverifiedDynamic 2080x1170 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Performance Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5UnverifiedFixed 1494x840 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Fidelity Mode
PS5UnverifiedDynamic 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Performance Mode
PS5UnverifiedDynamic 720p to 1440p internal resolution reconstructing to a maximum 1440p container rescaled to 4K.
Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5UnverifiedFixed 2240x1260 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Ray Tracing Mode
PS5UnverifiedOffers minor improvements to ambient occlusion around characters.
Balanced Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5UnverifiedFixed 1080p internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
The First Descendant on PS5 Pro brings expanded ray-traced lighting and shadows along with PSSR image upscaling, with FSR 3.1 Frame Generation planned for future performance improvements.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| PSFoundry Score | 69Fair | 72Good |
| Recommended mode | Balanced Mode | Enhanced Mode |
| Modes available | 7 | 7 |
| Highest target FPS | 90 | 90 |
| Highest verified capability | 90 fps target | 90 fps target |
| PSSR | No | Yes |
| Ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | Yes | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- PSFoundry Score
- 69Fair
- Recommended mode
- Balanced Mode
- Modes available
- 7
- Highest target FPS
- 90
- Highest verified capability
- 90 fps target
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- Yes
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- PSFoundry Score
- 72Good
- Recommended mode
- Enhanced Mode
- Modes available
- 7
- Highest target FPS
- 90
- Highest verified capability
- 90 fps target
- PSSR
- Yes
- Ray tracing
- Yes
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
Enabling Ray Tracing causes multiple software lock-ups and crashes on PS5, particularly when opening the character inventory menu.
Using FSR 3 Frame Generation produces uneven frame pacing with erratic frame-time spikes, and system VRR fails to engage properly.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
The First Descendant - PS5/Series X|S/PC Tech Review - Ray Tracing and AMD FSR3 Frame Gen Tested. @DigitalFoundry2.7K likes87K views1 year ago
The First Descendant: Console Frame Generation Tested on PS5. @DFClipsChannel452 likes18K views2 years ago
All 16 Descendants TRAGIC Backstories Explained | Characters Explained | The First Descendant Lore Stories with Cookie
Go to channel Digital Foundry · The First Descendant - PS5/Series X|S/PC Tech Review - Ray Tracing and AMD FSR3 Frame Gen Tested. Digital ...
The First Descendant - PS5/Series X|S/PC Tech Review - Ray Tracing and AMD FSR3 Frame Gen Tested Digital Foundry
The First Descendant PS5 Pro Enhanced Gameplay 4K Welcome to the ULTIMATE 4K experience of The First Descendant on PS5 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.
- UnverifiedDigital Foundry technical analysis of The First Descendant on PlayStation 5, covering standard display modes, FSR 3 frame generation, and ray tracing stability.Digital Foundry2024-07-25
Digital Foundry technical analysis of The First Descendant on PlayStation 5, covering standard display modes, FSR 3 frame generation, and ray tracing stability.
Open source - UnverifiedNexon Games details PS5 Pro enhancements for The First Descendant, incorporating expanded ray-traced lighting and shadows, PSSR upscaling for superior image quality, and planned support for FSR 3.1 FrPlayStation Blog2024-09-24
Nexon Games details PS5 Pro enhancements for The First Descendant, incorporating expanded ray-traced lighting and shadows, PSSR upscaling for superior image quality, and planned support for FSR 3.1 Frame Generation.
Open source
Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does The First Descendant run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, The First Descendant offers 6 graphics modes: Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 3840x2160; Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 3840x2160; Performance Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 2560x1440; Fidelity Mode targets 30 FPS at 3840x2160; Balanced Mode targets 40 FPS at 3840x2160; Performance Mode targets 60 FPS at 2560x1440.
What frame rate does The First Descendant run at on PS5?
On PS5, The First Descendant offers 7 graphics modes: Performance Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 2560x1440; Fidelity Mode targets 30 FPS at 3840x2160; Balanced Mode targets 40 FPS at 3840x2160; Performance Mode targets 60 FPS at 2560x1440; Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 3840x2160; Ray Tracing Mode targets 30 FPS; Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 3840x2160.
Does The First Descendant support 120 Hz on PlayStation?
Yes. Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5 Pro, Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5 Pro, Performance Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5 Pro, Balanced Mode on PS5 Pro, Performance Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5, Balanced Mode on PS5, Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5, Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5 run 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 The First Descendant use PSSR on PS5 Pro?
Yes. At least one PS5 Pro graphics mode of The First Descendant uses PSSR, Sony's machine-learning upscaler, according to the sources cited in our analysis.
Is The First Descendant worth playing on PS5 Pro?
The First Descendant on PS5 Pro brings expanded ray-traced lighting and shadows along with PSSR image upscaling, with FSR 3.1 Frame Generation planned for future performance improvements.
What is the best graphics mode for The First Descendant on PS5 Pro?
Best overall balance: Enhanced Mode — Enhanced Mode. Highest frame rate: Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 3840x2160.
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.