Metal Gear Solid Delta: The PS5 Pro Performance Problem

 The highly anticipated remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, has been met with widespread critical acclaim for its stunning visuals and faithful recreation of the classic story. However, an unexpected and significant problem has emerged just before its launch on August 28, 2025: the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, particularly on the new PlayStation 5 Pro. Surprisingly, technical analyses from outlets like Digital Foundry have revealed that in many cases, the PS5 Pro version of the game actually performs worse than the standard PS5, a baffling issue for a console designed to offer a superior gaming experience. This revelation has left many players, especially those who upgraded to the PS5 Pro for a more polished experience, feeling frustrated and disappointed.

The core of the issue stems from the game’s optimization on Unreal Engine 5. While the engine’s graphical capabilities, such as advanced lighting and highly detailed environments, are on full display, the performance in both the “Quality” and “Performance” modes is inconsistent on the base PS5. The game wavers between 40-60 frames per second (FPS), with drops as low as 30 FPS in graphically intensive areas. However, on the more powerful PS5 Pro, the problem is compounded. Konami opted for a single-mode approach that combines the PS5’s Quality mode settings with a 60 FPS target, relying on Sony’s new PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaler. The result is a game that often fails to hit its target, with frame rates that can be up to 7 FPS lower than on the base PS5 in certain jungle segments.

The Technical Breakdown of the PS5 Pro’s Issues

The technical analysis by Digital Foundry provides a clear picture of what’s going wrong. The PS5 Pro version’s reliance on PSSR, while intended to deliver a sharp image, seems to be a major source of the performance problems. The upscaler, in its current implementation, introduces shimmering and other visual artifacts in areas with complex lighting, while also failing to consistently deliver a locked 60 FPS. The single-mode approach on the PS5 Pro also removes a choice for players who might have preferred a more stable frame rate over the enhanced graphical settings. This leaves PS5 Pro owners without a true “Performance Mode” that prioritizes a solid 60 FPS experience, a standard feature on many other games.

This is not an isolated problem for Unreal Engine 5 games. The community has pointed to similar performance issues in other recent titles like the Silent Hill 2 remake, raising questions about the engine’s optimization on the PS5 Pro. While UE5 is capable of stunning visuals, it appears to be a challenging engine for developers to fully optimize, and in this case, the lack of a proper performance mode on the PS5 Pro has led to a less-than-ideal experience. For a game that promises to be the definitive way to play a beloved classic, these performance issues are a serious concern, especially for a premium console.

The Impact and What’s Next

The news has sparked a wave of disappointment among players on social media platforms like Reddit. Many are now reconsidering their day-one purchase of the game, opting to wait for a potential patch that could address these issues. The sentiment is clear: players expect a flagship title on a premium console to deliver a consistently smooth experience, and in its current state, Metal Gear Solid Delta is falling short. While the game’s faithful recreation of the original is a triumph, the technical problems on the PS5 Pro are a major stain on its launch.

The hope for many is that a day-one patch will be released to address these performance discrepancies. While this is a common practice in the modern gaming industry, it’s a frustrating one, as it means players are often paying full price for an unfinished product. The situation highlights a growing trend of games launching with technical issues, and it puts the pressure on Konami to deliver a fix that will make the game worthy of its iconic name. For now, players who were hoping to experience Naked Snake’s journey in its most polished form might be better off waiting for a future update or opting for the base PS5 version, which, in a bizarre twist, seems to offer a more stable experience for now.