As one of the most anticipated first-person shooters of the year, DOOM: The Dark Ages has finally landed, and experts at Digital Foundry wasted no time breaking down its technical performance across platforms. Unfortunately, their early analysis has raised red flags for PlayStation 5 users—especially those who invested in the higher-end PS5 Pro.
Frame Rate Drops Plague PS5 and PS5 Pro
Both PS5 and PS5 Pro models are reportedly facing noticeable frame rate drops, particularly during chaotic combat sequences. According to Digital Foundry, the frame rate can dip below 60 FPS, resulting in a less fluid experience in action-heavy scenes.
Xbox Series X Delivers a More Stable Experience
In stark contrast, the Xbox Series X version of the game runs far more consistently. Frame rate stability is significantly better on Microsoft’s flagship console, suggesting that id Software may have prioritized development and optimization for Xbox over PlayStation.
Minimal Gains for PS5 Pro Owners
One would expect the PS5 Pro, with its enhanced specs, to deliver a major performance upgrade. However, aside from supporting up to 1800p resolution, the improvements are marginal. Disappointingly, DOOM: The Dark Ages doesn’t take advantage of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), Sony’s own AI-driven upscaling tool, which could have helped improve image quality without sacrificing performance.
Digital Foundry Calls It a Lackluster Upgrade
In their video breakdown, Digital Foundry described the PS5 Pro version of DOOM: The Dark Ages as one of the “least exciting Pro upgrades among recent AAA releases.” Their analysis implies that the added power of the Pro console has not been fully utilized, raising questions about developer priorities and optimization strategies.
Focus Appears to Be on Xbox Series X
It’s becoming increasingly evident that id Software poured most of their resources into the Xbox Series X version of the game. While PlayStation versions are still functional and playable, they lack the polish and consistency that Xbox players are currently enjoying.
Hopes for Future Patches and Performance Fixes
The gaming community now looks toward future patches and updates that could help close the performance gap and allow PS5 Pro to shine. There is still hope that id Software will release optimizations and fixes to better harness the extra horsepower of Sony’s premium console.
A Promising Campaign Overshadowed by Technical Issues
DOOM: The Dark Ages boasts a robust 22-mission campaign, combining brutal combat with a medieval-inspired world. The game launched on May 14, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and is also available day one via Xbox Game Pass. While the gameplay remains as thrilling as ever, the current technical concerns are dampening the excitement—at least for PlayStation users.
