The First Descendant
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 ProExpanded ray tracing for realistic lighting and shadows; PSSR provides higher resolution and image quality.
Fidelity Mode
PS5 ProDynamic 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Balanced Mode
PS5 ProDynamic 2080x1170 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Performance Mode
PS5 ProDynamic 720p to 1440p internal resolution reconstructing to a maximum 1440p container rescaled to 4K.
Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5 ProFixed 2240x1260 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Balanced Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5 ProFixed 1080p internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Performance Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5 ProFixed 1494x840 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
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.
Fidelity Mode
PS5Dynamic 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Balanced Mode
PS5Dynamic 2080x1170 to 3840x2160 internal resolution reconstructed with FSR 3 to 4K.
Performance Mode
PS5Dynamic 720p to 1440p internal resolution reconstructing to a maximum 1440p container rescaled to 4K.
Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5Fixed 2240x1260 internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Ray Tracing Mode
PS5Offers minor improvements to ambient occlusion around characters.
Balanced Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5Fixed 1080p internal resolution with FSR 3 frame generation.
Performance Mode (Frame Generation)
PS5Fixed 1494x840 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 87Great | 62Fair |
| Recommended mode | Balanced Mode | Enhanced Mode |
| Modes available | 7 | 7 |
| Peak target FPS | 90 | 90 |
| PSSR | No | Yes |
| Ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | Yes | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- Performance Score
- 87Great
- Recommended mode
- Balanced Mode
- Modes available
- 7
- Peak target FPS
- 90
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- Yes
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- Performance Score
- 62Fair
- Recommended mode
- Enhanced Mode
- Modes available
- 7
- Peak target FPS
- 90
- 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!
External links open in a new tab. PSFoundry is not affiliated with the linked publications.
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 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; Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 3840x2160; Performance Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 2560x1440.
What frame rate does The First Descendant run at on PS5?
On PS5, The First Descendant offers 7 graphics modes: 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; Performance Mode (Frame Generation) targets 90 FPS at 2560x1440.
Does The First Descendant support 120 Hz on PlayStation?
Yes. Balanced Mode on PS5 Pro, 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, Fidelity Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5, Balanced Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5, Performance Mode (Frame Generation) on PS5 run with 120 Hz output on a compatible display.
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 PSFoundry Performance Score of The First Descendant?
The First Descendant scores 87/100 on PS5. 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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