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- The PS5 Pro comes with PS4 Image Enhancement, a feature that enhances last-gen games for better, clearer results.
- It distorts image quality, interferes with post-processing effects, and emphasizes issues like TAA.
- While the feature works for older games, it doesn’t justify the PS5 Pro’s $700 price tag, leaving its appeal questionable.
Sony hasn’t seemed to catch a break with the PS5 Pro since it was revealed. Now, with the console finally available to consumers, it’s worse than we ever expected, not just in terms of its power but also in terms of its half-baked ‘exclusive features’ that are excuses to sell the consoles.
Aside from the PSSR, one of the worst image upscaling options, the PS5 Pro has another major feature intended only for last-gen games. Sony’s new Image Enhancement feature is somewhat complicated, as are my feelings towards it.
Why It Matters: Sony didn’t reveal much about the PS4 Image Enhancement feature before we got our hands on the console. Consumers need to realize the downsides and upsides of PS4 Image Enhancement before they buy PS5 Pro.
What Does The PS4 Image Enhancement Do?
Judging by the looks and the way that PS4 Image Enhancement works, we can conclude that the feature is somewhat of a post-processing filter. The PS4 Image Enhancement is a smart upscale that refines jagged edges and makes the final image more crisp, resulting in better quality.
With the PS4 Image Enhancement, everything from the rendered footage, cutscenes, and even the UI is being upscaled to higher resolutions. Older PS4 games running on 1080p seem to benefit quite largely from this feature.
Games like Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Order 1886, and Nier Replicant look phenomenal with the image upscaled, and I don’t see much noticeable graphical downgrade after playing current-gen games as opposed to before this feature was enabled.
Here’s Where It Falls Short
All said, though, the PS4 Image Enhancement does fall short on quite a few aspects. First and foremost, the feature works only well for games rendered at a 1080p resolution; anything higher than that, and you won’t see a difference.
With the mode turned on, some games seem to be affected in the performance department, with FPS starting to drop. This isn’t surprising to me, considering the PS5 Pro’s hardware.
Secondly, since this is a post-processing effect, we can conclude that it has its own issues or enhances other issues as well. I’ve already talked in detailed about how TAA really messes up video games nowadays.
The PS4 Image Enhancement has the same problem, but this time around, it emphasizes it much more. Aliased games with crisper image quality look worse than the original, in my opinion.
Other than that, the PS4 Image Enhancement also interferes with other post-processing effects, such as film grain, lighting, and others. This feature will result in a distorted image quality.
Here’s Why I Think This Mode Is A Scam
Don’t get me wrong here. The slightly upscaled and better image quality doesn’t hurt despite the drawbacks. The lack of aliasing brings out the jagged edges and makes them more prominent, for my liking. Not to mention that it can also ruin some 2D art styles.
In my opinion, this feature should already be standard with the PS5’s base model. This is surprising considering that the Xbox Series X already has a similar feature where it natively upscales games from past generations with improved textures and FPS.
To summarize, the PS4 Image Enhancement is an okayish feature, but it is not something that I’ll happily spend $700 on. It works well on older PS4 games, but don’t expect a major result in the games released during the second half of the PS4 run.
That said, if you plan to play those games again, they’ll most likely be remastered soon, following the same pattern as other Sony first-party games.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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