RedC
Gold Member
Now in its in more advanced 2024 release, Microsoft Flight Simulator lands on PS5 and PS5 Pro with almost every feature in tact from the Xbox version. The ability to download city and airport data packs to a local SSD is seemingly not available at launch on PlayStation - but that doesn't stop this from being a stellar experience overall. It remains a 30fps experience, even on PS5 Pro, and with scope to run at an unlocked frame-rate if you've a 120Hz VRR display connected. Tom runs through all the details today, including the nature of the game's PS5 Pro enhancements.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (PS5 / PS5 Pro / Series X) – Breakdown
Overview
Microsoft Flight Simulator has traditionally been PC-focused, later expanding to Xbox Series X|S, and now finally arriving on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
Key points examined:
- Feature parity between PS5 and Series X
- What PS5 Pro actually adds
- 120Hz / unlocked framerate behavior
Installation & Data Streaming
- Base install on PS5: ~28GB
- Most world data (terrain, buildings, airports) is streamed.
- Bandwidth allocation can be adjusted in settings.
- Streaming generally works well, but:
- Pop-in varies depending on connection quality.
- Draw distance comparisons can be inconsistent.
PS5 Limitation
- PS5 cannot download world data locally.
- Xbox Series X|S can, with a full install reaching ~480GB.
- Local installs significantly reduce pop-in and improve consistency.
- This remains one of PS5's biggest drawbacks.
World Detail & Streaming Performance
- Example: Auckland
- Series X with local data shows slightly better terrain stability.
- PS5 still looks good with a strong internet connection.
- All platforms experience some level of pop-in.
Visual Quality & Rendering
Screen-Space Reflections (SSR)
- Same SSR quality on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
- Expected artifacts (reflection gaps, disocclusion).
- No ray-traced reflections on console.
- Even PC struggles without RT enabled.
Resolution & Image Quality
- PS5 Pro: 1800p → reconstructed to 4K
- PS5 / Series X: 1440p → reconstructed to 4K
- PS5 Pro is slightly sharper.
- Distant shimmer still present across all platforms.
Draw Distance
- Improved on PS5 Pro vs base PS5.
- Still dependent on streaming bandwidth.
Graphics Options
- No visual toggles on PS5 Pro.
- Extra GPU power mainly goes toward resolution.
Lighting, Shadows & AO
- SSAO identical across PS5 and PS5 Pro.
- AO fades near screen edges.
- Shadows:
- Rasterized only.
- Noticeable aliasing in cockpit.
- No ray-traced shadows.
- PC with RT still looks far superior here.
Performance & Frame Rate
Standard Performance
- Target: 30fps at 60Hz
- All consoles struggle to maintain it consistently.
- Dense cities (Barcelona, Rio):
- Drops into the low 20s.
- Occasional screen tearing.
- Less demanding areas perform better.
120Hz / VRR Mode
- Available on PS5, PS5 Pro, and Series X.
- Frame rate typically sits at 30–40fps.
- Rarely approaches 60fps.
- Best results seen in low-demand areas (e.g., Himalayas).
Platform Comparison
PS5 Pro vs Series X
- Performance is extremely close.
- Series X often leads by ~1fps.
- PS5 Pro occasionally leads (e.g., Rome).
- Base PS5 trails by ~3–4fps in heavy scenes.
- PS5 Pro gains mainly come from higher resolution, not performance.
Performance Summary
- True 60fps is not achievable on any console.
- 30fps remains the realistic target.
- VRR helps but doesn't solve CPU bottlenecks.
- Xbox benefits slightly from:
- VRR + LFC support
- Local world data installation
Final Verdict
- PS5 and PS5 Pro deliver the full Flight Simulator experience.
- PS5 Pro improvements are modest:
- Higher resolution
- Slightly better draw distance
- No meaningful performance leap.
- Missing local world data on PS5 remains the biggest downside.
- Despite limitations, the experience remains impressive and immersive.
- For newcomers, Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation is still very much worth playing.