Red Dead Redemption 2 Runs Faster on PS5 But Lacks Next-Gen Visuals…For Now

To answer the question directly – yes, Red Dead Redemption 2 definitively runs better on PS5 compared to PS4 Pro due to improved performance and drastically faster loading times. However, without a proper next-gen upgrade patch, visual enhancements are minimal with no 4K resolution or 60fps support. RDR2 on PS5 features the same 30fps frame rate cap at 2160p as the PS4 Pro version. So PS5 offers an improved experience, but the game is still held back from achieving its full potential.

Just How Much Better is RDR2‘s Performance on PS5?

While the frame rate target remains locked at 30fps, Digital Foundry discovered that Red Dead Redemption 2 maintains this refresh rate more successfully on PS5. Utilizing the console‘s Game Boost, fluctuations and dips are reduced resulting in over 15% higher average frame rates during benchmarked scenes like the demanding Saint Denis area.

This table compares average frame rates across several scenes on both consoles:

Furthermore, videos captured show fewer visible stutters when quickly panning the camera or traversing Saint Denis by horseback on PS5. The city‘s visual detail and crowds previously stressed the PS4 Pro‘s processing power.

Overall, gameplay flows smoother despite targeting the same 30fps. The PS5‘s custom 16GB GDDR6 RAM and boosted CPU/GPU provide enough headroom to iron out dips while maintaining 2160p resolution.

Fully Immersive Open World Thanks to SSD

On the technical side, by far the most substantial gains come from the PS5‘s ultra-fast solid state drive slashing loading times by over 80% across the board! Fast traveling from Lemoyne to West Elizabeth takes just 14 seconds instead of a grueling 1 minute and 5 seconds on PS4. And booting up the game sees similar improvements, going from 1 and a half minutes to under 30 seconds from launch to playing the story mode.

Gamers no longer face tedious minute-long wait times when retrying missions or entering buildings like saloons. Arthur can now walk through doors and emerge on the other side instantly as environments load seamlessly around him. These rapid fire transitions finally bring Red Dead‘s immersion to the next level where the open world flows uninterrupted. No more pacing issues to sour the player‘s enjoyment.

Here are several examples of exact loading time savings:

Still No True Next-Gen Upgrade After 2+ Years

Unfortunately, outside of improved stability and load times, Red Dead Redemption 2 remains a last-gen title at heart on PlayStation 5. Visually it offers no noticeable boost over the PS4 Pro version tested by Digital Foundry, maintaining the same 2160p resolution and graphical settings.

Of course, PS5‘s Game Boost mode helps texture streaming thanks to the SSD. But make no mistake – this is simply the PS4 Pro code running smoother, not a built-for-next-gen release. There are unfortunately no visual enhancements like 4K textures, upgraded lighting, ray tracing effects, or increased environment/character detail.

This stands in contrast to Rockstar‘s treatment of Grand Theft Auto V, which received a major remaster on PS5 adding a range of graphical upgrades and three graphics modes targeting up to 60fps. So why hasn‘t RDR2 seen similar PS5 love? It took over 2 years post-release for GTA V‘s makeover which substantially boosted sales, a strategy that clearly works for Rockstar.

Given Red Dead Redemption 2‘s over 45 million copies sold already, a graphical overhaul paired with another round of promotion could likely turn even more high profits for Rockstar…