Is Call of Duty: Vanguard PS4 free upgrade to PS5?

As an avid Call of Duty player and gaming content creator, this question comes up a lot – "Is upgrading Vanguard from PS4 to PS5 worth it?"

Well, first things first – the upgrade is not free. There is a $10 fee to upgrade to the PS5 version if you originally purchased the last-gen PS4 edition.

But is that $10 charge worth paying for enhanced next-gen performance and visuals? Let‘s dive deeper…

Vanguard PS5 vs PS4 – What‘s Improved?

Here‘s a high-level look at some of the key areas the PS5 edition improves over the PS4 predecessor:

It‘s clear the PS5 edition provides a meaningful upgrade – delivering higher resolution, faster load times, and improved graphical fidelity compared to PS4.

But how exactly does this translate into actual gameplay? Let‘s analyze further…

Higher Resolution Showcases More Detail

In Digital Foundry‘s breakdown, Vanguard on PS5 renders at a native 4K versus 1080p on the standard PS4. This makes the image crisper and clearer. You can see finer details in textures, weapons, uniforms that get blurred on PS4.

This enhances the level of immersion and visual quality – letting you appreciate intricate map environments and particle effects more.

Gameplay Feels More Responsive

The ps5 consistently maintains 60 FPS even during heavy action with less of the frame pacing issues and drops PS4 suffers from.

This achieves an added level of smoothness and responsiveness for your aiming, movement and ability to react quickly in heated gunfights.

As a competitive player, higher sustained framerates give a real competitive edge.

Faster Load Times Keep You Playing

On PS5, loading into multiplayer maps or campaign levels takes under 5 seconds – a massive improvement over the 30+ second wait times on PS4.

This might not seem like much, but that additional 25+ seconds adds up each play session. Less waiting to load means more time actually playing matches and having fun!

Upgraded Visuals Increase Immersion

While core gameplay mechanics remain the same, the visual enhancements PS5 provides make for a more immersive experience.

HDR lighting showcases vivid colors that make effects like muzzle flashes and explosions pop. Enriched environment details better support a gritty, realistic WWII aesthetic.

These graphical improvements create a greater sense of atmosphere that pulls you deeper into gameplay.

Is the $10 PS5 Upgrade Worth it?

Based on the performance and visual upgrades highlighted, the $10 upgrade fee seems well worth it for Vanguard players who use PS5 as their main console.

The higher framerates yield better response times for competitive players. Faster load times let you play matches quicker with less waiting in lobbies. And the visual enrichments enhance immersion.

However, more casual players who focus on single player or play on PS4 may be fine saving the $10. While nice to have, the upgrades may not be as necessary if Vanguard is not your main multiplayer game.

The Verdict?

Given over 25% of Call of Duty players are now on PS5, the $10 upgrade cost seems like a smart investment to enjoy Vanguard the way it was meant to be played.

Especially for Multiplayer – where higher FPS delivers a real competitive advantage. Faster load times get you into matches quicker. And visual details make for added immersion.

For Zombies or Campaign-only players, I‘d still recommend upgrading for the snappier response and enhanced graphics. But weighing cost vs rewards, sticking with the PS4 edition could be reasonable.

At the end of the day – assess your personal preference, budget, and primary platform to decide if upgrading suits you. But for dedicated COD MP console gamers, the PS5 edition of Vanguard is the definitive way to play.

Let me know what you think of the analysis! And for more Call of Duty insights be sure to subscribe to my channel.