Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has prompted analysis of its performance across PlayStation’s current hardware. While both PS5 and PS5 Pro versions maintain similar core settings, the Pro’s enhanced capabilities deliver noticeable, though not revolutionary, improvements over the base console.
On both platforms, Death Stranding 2 offers two graphical modes: Quality Mode and Performance Mode. In Quality Mode, the game operates at a dynamic 2160p resolution capped at 30 frames per second. On the base PS5, resolution commonly ranges between 1800p and 2160p, while the PS5 Pro sustains closer to native 2160p more consistently. The difference, however, is not overly obvious in moment-to-moment gameplay. The primary visual distinction is evident in the form of higher-quality reflections on the PS5 Pro. However, this enhancement is subtle enough that some players may not notice it during normal gameplay.
Switching to Performance Mode, both consoles render at a dynamic 1440p resolution that is upscaled to 2160p, targeting 60 frames per second. In this mode, the PS5 Pro maintains slightly better image quality thanks to improved level-of-detail rendering, better reflections, extended draw distances, and more refined shadow quality. Despite these technical boosts, the visual differences between the two consoles remain minor enough that most players would be hard-pressed to see a significant change without close inspection.
Interestingly, the PS5 Pro’s transition between Quality and Performance Modes is less pronounced compared to the base PS5, suggesting that the Pro version maintains more consistent asset quality regardless of mode. This results in fewer sacrifices when opting for smoother performance, particularly useful when paired with a 120 Hz display and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) enabled, allowing the PS5 Pro to surpass 60 frames per second in some scenarios.
Loading times on both consoles are nearly identical, with only marginally faster results on the PS5 Pro when offline. According to technical impressions, the Decima Engine—the technology behind Death Stranding 2—continues to demonstrate its strengths as one of the most capable engines for open-world rendering in the industry.
Earlier reports suggested that Death Stranding 2 could be one of the first titles to make the PS5 Pro a justified purchase for players seeking visual or performance gains. Indeed, the PS5 Pro’s improvements in distant terrain detail, texture clarity, and reflection quality do offer an advantage, particularly for players sensitive to such elements. The higher geometry and texture LODs on the Pro provide far-off landscapes with richer detail compared to the base PS5, though this will matter most to discerning eyes or those using large, high-resolution displays.
That said, the original PS5 version holds up remarkably well. Its reconstruction techniques—likely based on Guerrilla Games’ temporal upscaling—ensure that even in Performance Mode, visual fidelity remains strong despite the lower internal resolution. The difference in Quality Mode resolution between the two platforms also leans in the Pro’s favor, but again, the practical effect during gameplay is modest.
Ultimately, Death Stranding 2 on PS5 Pro delivers the anticipated technical improvements—sharper visuals, smoother high-refresh performance, and subtle graphical upgrades—yet the base PS5 version remains impressive in its own right. For average players without a 120Hz VRR display, the differences may not justify an upgrade. However, for dedicated enthusiasts, the Pro’s enhancements present a worthwhile, if not mandatory, reason to consider the mid-gen console.
