To celebrate its fourth anniversary, Returnal has received a free upgrade for PlayStation 5 Pro, offering a significant resolution and performance boost. Developed by Housemarque, this update enhances one of PS5’s best exclusives by fully leveraging the new Pro hardware.
On base PS5, Returnal runs at a fixed 1080p resolution, reconstructed to 1440p and upscaled to 4K via checkerboarding. While visually impressive, this setup results in some graininess and flickering, particularly in high-detail scenes.
The PS5 Pro upgrade changes this with dynamic resolution scaling (DRS), peaking at 3072×1728 and dipping as low as 2400×1350 during intensive moments like boss battles. The upgrade promises “up to 2.5x” higher resolution, but actually achieves closer to 2.56x in optimal scenarios. Thanks to DRS, image quality remains superior to the base PS5, even at lower resolutions. 
Visual enhancements are otherwise unchanged—textures, shadows, and effects remain identical to the original. Notably absent are options like ray traced reflections or 120Hz support, which could have further utilized the Pro’s power. Unlike the PC version, no advanced graphical presets are available here.
In terms of performance, the PS5 Pro version smooths out previously known frame drops. Challenging scenes, like early boss fights and segments in the Tower of Sisyphus, now hold a solid 60fps. DRS helps keep performance stable without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.
However, there are some minor drawbacks. Traversal hitches still exist, and occasional 50ms frame-time spikes appear during enemy attacks. These issues may be tied to real-time resolution adjustments. Also, due to the roguelike nature of the game, performance can vary based on level configurations.
Despite these small issues, the update is a win overall. The sharper visuals and improved frame consistency make this the definitive console version of Returnal. Though not a complete overhaul, the PS5 Pro patch delivers where it counts most—offering players a cleaner, smoother, and more immersive return to Atropos.
For fans or newcomers alike, this upgrade is an excellent reason to revisit one of the most acclaimed shooters of the generation.
