PlayStation 5 Pro support is finally arriving for Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2, resulting in one of the most valuable updates we've seen on Sony's mid-generation console to date. Starting with patch 1.5, PS5 Pro increases performance in its 60fps speed mode and fixes (sometimes) blurry image quality in that same mode. Speed and Quality modes use PSSR instead of the original FSR2 method to improve image quality, while also increasing the internal resolution in each mode and aiming for 4K output resolution. In summary: in quality mode we now get a range of 1080p to 4K as input resolution, while in speed mode that range is adjusted to 1080p-1440p.
The big question then is whether the transition to PSSR is enough to make a noticeable difference in the clarity of each mode. Especially on the move, what is the advantage over the basic PS5? And looking at the 60fps speed mode in particular, does the PS5 Pro finally offer the smooth experience that wasn't available for the base PS5?
Before we begin, a quick word about the current state of the game on the base PS5. The fact is that the 30fps quality mode always worked quite well on the base hardware, but the speed mode struggled with a hesitant frame rate reading of 35-60fps. Comparing patch 1.2 (the version we tested in the original review three months ago) to today's patch 1.5, there's a respectable difference. The good news is that we're seeing a 5-10fps improvement on the base PS5, and sometimes even more. Due to the variable nature of combat, it's a real challenge to sync gameplay on each, but the comparison still paints a clear picture overall: Saber Interactive has worked hard since launch to squeeze the PS5 for better performance.
The net result is that those with a VRR-compatible display will benefit from the new patch, although frame rates can still sometimes dip below the 48fps limit for VRR on PS5. Additionally, there's no real improvement in the game's obvious CPU bottleneck areas. The battle with the swimming ripper at the end of mission two, for example, still hovers around the 40fps mark, and even dips into the 30s at times. Finally, despite the overall increase in performance elsewhere, the base PS5 doesn't match the Xbox Series X's level of performance in Speed mode, which we also retested in Patch 1.5. In the opening scene, the PS5 falls short by up to 10 fps, although in-game that margin is considerably reduced. The Series X remains the console to beat when it comes to hitting 60fps.
So as we begin our PS5 Pro testing, 60fps is the obvious starting point, with a lot to gain from the new hardware and PSSR. Space Marine 2's use of PSSR is successful on a similar level to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, allowing this 60fps mode to look much cleaner and clearer. In terms of raw resolution metrics, it was upscaled from 720p-1080p with FSR2 on the base PS5 to 1080p-1440p rebuilt at 4K with PSSR. Although the main visual settings remain unchanged, the higher resolution and improved machine learning produce a large improvement in the moving image.
Even in static shots, where a buildup of frames helps both sides resolve a 4K image, the PS5 Pro ends up with a sharper image. The base PS5 holds up reasonably well while standing still, but the PS5 Pro still manages to resolve the details of distant plants more accurately. The Pro's biggest advantage, however, is in the actual movement: PSSR's handling of the dense jungle areas in Mission One is truly outstanding, replacing FSR2's often soft and blurry resolution with a sharper outline of every part. from the stage. The PS5 Pro's ability to output more pixels (minimum 1080p, compared to a nadir of 720p on the base console) and upscale it more intelligently allows for a huge improvement. From the grass, mud, and mulch on the ground to the reflective details and metal grates of a battle barge, every element benefits from the switch to PSSR.
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However, it is not perfect. The downside is that the image is too sharp in some spots, especially the foliage, and also the reflected elements in the puddles. Elements with a lot of subpixel movement, such as swaying blades of grass, sometimes still produce noise: aliasing. Similarly, you will also be able to detect flickering on hard, high-contrast surfaces. There is a trade-off, but overall, it's still a net benefit for the PS5 Pro in this mode.
Looking at the actual speed mode performance below, PS5 Pro brings the reading even closer to the 60fps target. This isn't an absolute lock on that top number by any means, especially once you get into a battle with multiple Tyranids, but it is a boost in most respects over the base PS5 reading. Comparing the two machines, both updated to patch 1.5, we're seeing up to a 5fps gain during the opening cutscene when we land on the battlefield. From here on out, the delta widens further to show a 10fps advantage on PS5 Pro in battle. Sometimes it's even higher, although the game becomes increasingly difficult to time exactly. Unfortunately, it's also hard to ignore the persistent drops in Pro: we're still seeing jerkiness at 45fps, just as enemies emerge from their pods on the initial jungle planet. Additionally, while we've improved, we're still generally operating in the 50-60 fps range during scenes involving swarms of enemies. In short, all of this makes the PS5 Pro hit 60fps more often than the base PS5, and ensures the frame rate stays within the 48-60 VRR window more often, but it's not a lock.
There is one more caveat to talk about. It's a rare moment, but handling the infamous Ripper swarm in Mission Two still has issues on PS5 Pro. Unfortunately, Space Marine 2 places demands on the PS5 Pro that aren't solved by a 45 percent increase in power. the GPU, nor with the PSSR offer as a scaler. When facing a huge swarm of enemies, similar to the rats in A Plague Tale: Requiem, the PS5 Pro only makes a small performance gain over the base PS5. The frame rate hovers between 40 and 60 fps, which is an improvement over the drops below 40 we had before, but it's not enough. This is far from an optimal 60fps experience and perhaps highlights the limits of each console's similar CPU profiles.
A frame rate comparison with the Series X also shows mixed luck. With each console updated to patch 1.5, the Series Overall, Speed Mode clearly benefits from Sony's new hardware – it's smoother in its overall frame rate and with a sharper image – but it still has some tough spots to address.
When switching to 30fps quality mode, image quality improvements are less profound on the PS5 Pro, but still evident in side-by-side shots. Frankly, the exclusive FSR2 on the base PS5 already produces a clear, sharp image here, rendering a dynamic range of 1080p to 1440p that provides plenty of pixel data to work with. By contrast, the PS5 Pro's push toward 1080p dynamic range at 4K with PSSR is a great but less essential upgrade.
As for the quality mode frame rate, everything works as usual on the Pro hardware. We get a locked 30fps readout regardless of the situation, just like with the base PS5. Surprisingly, this includes the demanding Ripper Swarm segment, which has enough performance overhead (at 40fps minimum in speed mode) to remain stable with a 30fps cap set. Overall, offering a 30fps quality option makes sense on PS5 Pro, for two reasons. Firstly, it gives us a tight 30fps lock, just like with the base PS5 console, meaning those unhappy with the framerate drops in speed mode have a fallback option. And secondly, by having a rendering budget of 33.3 ms per frame, Quality mode has the ability to drive higher resolution on average, within its highest dynamic resolution range. The result is greater temporal stability: less glare on grass elements and less flicker on the battle barge's metal meshes than in speed mode.
Overall, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 looks and runs better on PS5 Pro, and developer Saber Interactive's use of PSSR pays off in a more attractive-looking game. In practice, it's the image quality improvement in 60fps speed mode that stands out the most with cleaner resolution and higher frame rates, even if a locked 60fps is still off the table. The advantage will be felt most clearly among VRR display owners, who now have more frames to work with on average, although drops to 40fps remain an issue. In theory, a 40fps capped option would have been perfect for Pro owners running 120Hz displays in this case, given that the game runs capably above that line. Instead, what we have in Patch 1.5 is still a solid upgrade on 60Hz displays, and even for owners of a base PS5, it's good to see Saber continuing to optimize performance during the launch build.