The PS5 Pro is the most powerful PlayStation console to date, and this device has raised a few eyebrows within the gaming community. Some are unsure about its purpose, especially since a regular PS5 isn’t that hard to find nowadays, unlike in 2020. However, the leaps I have seen from my PS4 Slim to this console are a testament to how far technology in gaming has come.
While the previous models of the PlayStation 5 are all capable of running the latest games, this version offers a few extra features that make the ‘Pro’ moniker worth the extra bucks.
The only downside is that you will need to buy a disc drive to play your physical games, but the extra features can make up for it. This console comes with PSSR, which stands for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. This is Sony’s AI upscaling tech for every game that can run on the console.
You get faster load times, improved performance, clearer visuals, 2 terabytes of internal storage, and much more. With that said, you can get the most out of your PlayStation 5 Pro with these select titles.
10
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Tomorrow Is In Your Hands
Hideo Kojima struck gold with an original tale of reconnecting the world after it ended through the Death Stranding series. The first game was a slow burn and takes a lot of getting used to, especially about avoiding BTs, rebuilding structures, taking orders, and whatnot, but the storytelling and world design were always on point.
In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, you are back in the saddle as Sam Porter Bridges with another job to reconnect Mexico and then Australia. Kojima utilized an upgraded version of the Decima engine, courtesy of Guerrilla Games, and made one of the most photorealistic games ever.
The core gameplay loop remains the same from the first game, but this time, I often pause to do other things. For the most part, I pick up sub-orders to maximize gear and to restore connection levels and repair broken structures while doing main orders. Why? Because this is how Kojima designed the Death Stranding franchise to be. The world is broken, but all it takes is one porter to help others and hope for them to pay it forward.
The best part about each trip is prepping your gear and cargo. There are occasional combat encounters, and the game didn’t stutter once. There is more to this sequel than just repeating the same thing, and it is much more streamlined than the first game.
While Death Stranding 2: On the Beach runs on the base model without any fuss, the Pro offers clearer visuals and is an overall superior way to play. Feel free to reconnect stations to the Chiral network, fight BTs, accept new orders, shed a few tears, and enjoy the realistic views.
9
Red Dead Redemption 2
These Outlaws Could Use a Boost
This feels like cheating, especially since this is a native PS4 game, but it can be played via the backwards compatibility feature on all PS5s.
While Rockstar Games is still radio silent about the rumored next-gen update this game deserved, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the few games to take advantage of the Game Boost feature on the PS5 Pro. This feature was designed for older games to give them improved resolution and run at a much more stable frame rate.
Admittedly, it was a slow start, but then the gang starts making their way down to work around towns for heists, large cities, and the swamps. Rockstar Games spared no expense in creating its most detailed world yet. Some would argue that the base game is already perfect, but it could be better, and the Game Boost functionality is the closest we can get to a native PS5 port.
Aside from the improved performance, the load times are a massive upgrade coming from the PS4. It would take a few seconds to a full minute, but thanks to the Pro’s SSD, the wait is almost non-existent. If you are looking for the best way to experience Red Dead Redemption 2, this console can do the job.
8
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The Unknown Journey Continues
If you already played the original version of Final Fantasy 7 years ago, then you should know where this sequel will go next. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth not only carried over the best parts of Remake but also made significant improvements. From combat to the open-world design, this game of this scale should be played on a Pro console.
Most sequels tend to go bigger and larger, and this is Rebirth in spades. Exploring the Grasslands was therapeutic and was a perfect way to remember the controls. Fortunately, I had a blast in Remake, and getting back in the sequel was like fitting into an old glove.
Square Enix might have gone a bit overboard with the side content, but there is no better way to get the full experience on the PS5 Pro. The fun of using the hybrid combat system and watching all the particle effects on screen while slowing down time is a glimpse of the party’s intensity to hunt down Sephiroth.
The original PS5 and slim versions can run this game without any hitches; however, the Pro model offers the Versatility Mode, which I recommend using immediately. This graphics option combines the best of both worlds from the available modes on the base model, and you can enjoy a smooth performance without compromising resolution and vice versa.
7
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Trust only in the Force, and in the improved Performance Mode
Out of all the current-gen games on the market, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor needed this beast of a console to get the most out of it. There are only two graphics modes available on the base PS5: Quality mode prioritizes a sharper image quality, and Performance mode offers a somewhat consistent 60 FPS.
Thanks to the extra horsepower of the PS5 Pro, Performance mode can now deliver on the promise of a buttery smooth 60 FPS combined with better image quality. This game is playable on any PS5 model, but there is nothing wrong with opting for the much more stable experience that the Pro can offer.
There were occasional stutters on the original PS5 version, which often occurred when I was running from the Mantis to Pyloon’s Saloon, causing assets to become murky. However, going on a second run with the Pro version, those murky assets were replaced with clean details. It wasn’t game-breaking, but as a pixel-peeper, it can be an eye sore.
The new and improved Performance mode is the definitive way to hop into Cal’s next journey. A tale of finding a new home while evading the Empire is something you should play on a console with this much power.
6
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
One Last Trip in Better Resolution
This game will be 10 years old in a few months, but it holds up well, especially with some current-gen improvements. Naughty Dog went back to polish and gave Nathan Drake an explosive farewell with this remaster on the PS5 Pro.
The developers have released a native PS5 version alongside Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, but we will be focusing on Drake’s journey to Libertalia, considering Chloe’s adventure was originally planned as DLC. Similar to previous Uncharted games, you will visit different countries and drive around regions to search for clues and treasure.
One chapter in the game that made me giddy with excitement was Chapter 11’s chase sequence, where Nate hops from one car to another. Firing a handgun while being dragged through mud running on the Pro made me think of how Naughty Dog pushed the tech on the PS4 back in 2016. It was thrilling from start to end, and beating on Shoreline mercs felt glorious.
The PS5 Pro offers better image quality and performance even without an official patch, which is a must-have for the high-octane action sequences the Uncharted franchise is renowned for.
Naughty Dog went all out for Nate’s last adventure, and after playing it on this console, I would say do yourself a favor and try it at least once.
5
Ghost of Yōtei
Hunt the Yotei Six while taking in the views
This entry is a fresh release and a massive triumph for Sucker Punch Productions. The first game was a breath of fresh air, especially with all the different gameplay activities, the open-world sandbox, and combat mechanics.
Ghost of Yōtei follows the story of Atsu as she embarks on a quest to hunt down those who wronged her. You will visit different parts of Ezo, climb tall peaks, and mingle with the townsfolk to gather new information about your next target
While some players came in to enjoy the revenge tale, most were immediately captivated by how beautiful the world looked. Sucker Punch Productions was in a unique position to work on the last few PS4 games and transitioned immediately to this new hardware, and the improvements are much more visible in this title.
Riding through fields on horseback or swinging from branch to another without any stuttering or hitches justifies buying a PS5 Pro. This game also has different cinematic modes to honor iconic Japanese filmmakers and gives your hunt for blood a bit more color.
4
Horizon Forbidden West
Hunt Machines and Take Some Shots
The first game of the Horizon series was a technological marvel. The PlayStation 4 handled it well, and Guerrilla Games made improvements to the Decima engine for Forbidden West. Similar to most PlayStation sequels, the gameplay mechanics were significantly improved. I spent hours zipping to points and gliding to get an upper hand against lurking machines for a clean shot.
Horizon Forbidden West is one of the few PlayStation games branded as cross-gen, and you can see the differences as clear as night and day.
The base PS5 version is a solid experience with excellent options for graphics. It is also one of the PS5 Pro enhanced games, and you can guess it features an exclusive new option called Performance Pro mode.
This option removes the decision-making process of picking between graphics or visuals, since it combines them into one mode. Horizon Forbidden West was among the first few games Sony featured when the Pro model was released, and the gameplay speaks for itself.
3
Grand Theft Auto V
Drive through Los Santos with a consistent frame rate
You can’t go wrong with GTA V, even if Rockstar Games has released this entry multiple times across different console generations. We have all hung out with Franklin, Michael, and Trevor in the past decade, and it would be fitting to play their story one more time on this Pro console.
After playing it on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PC, I thought I had my fill of this game. The Pro, for lack of a better word, literally enhanced the experience. From driving to shootouts, this is the definitive way to play GTA V.
To no one’s surprise, GTA V is one of the first games announced for the PlayStation 5, and it has all the bells and whistles, such as DualSense controller integration and improved graphics. Cut to a few years after the release of the PS5 Pro, and many would say that this is a sizable upgrade and the best way to explore Los Santos.
Driving different cars is your main way to traverse the whole map, and to do it on the highest fidelity and frame rate is a sight to behold. Perhaps this Pro console is a good place to restart the main campaign, GTA Online, and even pick up the highly anticipated GTA 6.
This console can make older games look good and stand the test of time. This Pro model is designed for the best experience, and it is a good idea to future-proof your gaming setup.
2
God of War Ragnarök
Explore the Nine Realms with PSSR
It is not too surprising for first-party studios, such as Santa Monica Interactive, to make the most out of the PS5 Pro hardware. God of War Ragnarök is the finale of the Norse Saga and brings Kratos’ story from god-killer to the savior of the Nine Realms in the most heartwarming way.
The first game of the Norse Saga was more grounded and focused on a handful of realms, but the sequel dialed it to a new level. You can visit all the Nine Realms and explore unique biomes and regions. After getting the platinum on PS4, I went ahead and started fresh on PS5, and it was worth it.
While on the subject of God of War, replaying the first part of the Norse Saga on this console was a different experience. The PS4 Pro may seem like a subtle upgrade from the PS4 when I had it in 2019, but the leaps here are far more obvious, and Santa Monica Studio knew how to get the most out of it for Ragnarok.
One other improvement aside from visuals is the gameplay. Speed and accuracy mean everything in this title. Trust me when I say you need to be on point to take on those pesky Berserkers across the realms. and to have the benefit of the Pro Enhanced mode, which takes advantage of PSSR, is a godsend.
1
The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 Remastered
Endure and Survive… Again
This entry may seem controversial, especially since one is a remake of a PS3 game released in 2013 and the other is a remaster of a PS4 game released in 2020. Nevertheless, Naughty Dog spent more time working on remasters and remakes for this generation, and it was a worthwhile endeavor.
The Last of Us Part I uses the same engine as the sequel and is considered the definitive way to experience the story. The first game was remastered on PS4, and while it was good, the leap to the remake is mesmerizing. The sequel, on the other hand, received a mixed reaction from the gaming community and critics alike, but one cannot deny the graphical improvements and attention to detail.
After hours of replays on the PS4 Pro, it was a no-brainer move to carry over my save file to the Remastered version on the PS5 Pro. Better visuals and utilization of the DualSense controller are perks that Pro owners should not miss out on. Both games also feature a Pro Mode that fuses Fidelity and Performance modes on the base versions.
Despite personal opinions about The Last of Us as a franchise, it is a hallmark for PlayStation, and playing both games in a streamlined fashion is a good reason to boot up the PS5 Pro.
