If you’ve played Red Dead Redemption 2, you may already appreciate why it’s widely seen as a masterpiece. Experiencing it on PS5 Pro with an LG C2 4K OLED TV, however, elevates the visuals to a level that clearly sets this setup apart from previous generations. After testing the game on PS5 Pro today, I found the improvements not just noticeable, but transformative. In this review, I’ll clearly explain what makes this experience exceptional, what holds it back, and why the game should be considered a must-play, especially on this hardware configuration.
Setup: PS5 Pro + LG C2 4K OLED
First, let’s discuss the setup. I’m using a PS5 Pro paired with a 42-inch LG C2 4K OLED TV. Thanks to OLED technology, the display delivers deep blacks, vibrant colors, and crystal-clear visuals. I’m playing the latest version 1.00 of Red Dead Redemption 2, a PS4 title that runs smoothly on the PS5 Pro using the Game Boost feature.
Visuals Overview
Upon launching Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PS5 Pro, the improvements in visual fidelity are immediately noticeable. The image clarity has improved, eliminating much of the checkerboard blur previously present on PS4 and base PS5. Details, from individual blades of grass to distant mountains, are more clearly defined. The HDR mode on the LG C2 4K OLED TV produces vibrant colors, contributing to a convincingly immersive game world.
Ground Vegetation
Grass, small plants, and other ground details look incredibly lifelike. In first-person mode, there’s no blur or pixelation, enhancing immersion.
Distant Objects
Some minor pixelation remains on trees and distant mountains, especially at night, but overall, daytime visuals are stunning.
Character Models
Arthur Morgan and NPC textures are remarkably clean. There’s no fuzzy or blurry appearance, making every character look realistic.
Lighting and Shadows
Night scenes feature realistic lighting and shadow effects. While there’s slight pixelation around the moon, it doesn’t detract from the experience. Daytime is even more impressive, with textures, mud, and the wooden buildings of Valentine Town rich in detail, creating a fully immersive world.
Performance: 30FPS, but Feels Smooth
Red Dead Redemption 2 remains capped at 30FPS, as Rockstar has yet to release a 60FPS patch. However, the extra power of PS5 Pro makes motion noticeably smoother. Combined with the LG C2 4K OLED TV’s 120Hz mode and Low Frame Rate Compensation (LFC), gameplay feels fluid with no jerks or stutters. This effectively smooths motion on-screen, making the experience highly enjoyable.
If Rockstar releases a 60FPS patch with native 4K support, the game could reach a whole new level. The PS5 Pro has sufficient power to potentially deliver 4K at 40–60 FPS with minor optimization. Currently, it runs in checkerboard 4K (1920×2160 upscaled to 3840×2160), but even this setup looks impressive and visually stunning.
Loading Times Analysis
A major improvement with the PS5 Pro is the significantly reduced loading times. Loading durations that previously reached up to 90 seconds on PS4 now take around 30 seconds. This allows for faster exploration of Red Dead Redemption 2’s open world, streamlining the overall experience.
Gameplay: Amazing Now Too
Red Dead Redemption 2’s gameplay is already celebrated, but on the PS5 Pro setup, its immersion and realism are clearly enhanced. Whether you’re exploring, interacting, or experiencing the environment, the upgraded visuals supported by the LG C2 4K OLED TV make the world more vivid, delivering a gaming experience that reinforces the core appeal of the game on this hardware.
Weak Points: What is Missing?
- 30FPS Lock: The 30FPS cap feels outdated, as it limits the smoothness and responsiveness of gameplay. If the game supported 60FPS, animations and camera movements would feel more fluid and modern.
- Distant Pixelation: Some distant objects, such as trees and mountains, appear slightly pixelated, especially in nighttime scenes. This can break immersion when observing the landscape or exploring at night.
- No Native 4K: The game runs in checkerboard 4K, not native 4K. As a result, fine details may appear slightly softer, especially when compared to consoles like the Xbox Series X, which offer native 4K output.
- No PSSR Support: Since this is a PS4 title, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) is not available. Without PSSR, textures and visuals don’t benefit from Sony’s latest upscaling techniques, resulting in somewhat less sharp image quality.
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Checkerboard 4K (1920×2160 upscaled to 3840×2160) |
| Frame Rate | 30FPS (locked) |
| HDR | Supported, great on LG C2 OLED |
| Loading Time | ~30 seconds (PS5 Pro SSD) |
| Game Boost | Slight improvement in resolution and image quality |
| Display | LG C2 4K OLED, 120Hz, HDR |
| Console | PS5 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
What visual improvements does Red Dead Redemption 2 get on PS5 Pro?
Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5 Pro features sharper graphics, improved HDR, and enhanced textures, making the game world more immersive than on PS4.
Does PS5 Pro run Red Dead Redemption 2 at 4K?
Yes, it runs in checkerboard 4K (upscaled to 3840×2160), providing highly detailed visuals, though not native 4K.
Is Red Dead Redemption 2 smoother on PS5 Pro?
While still capped at 30 FPS, the extra power of the PS5 Pro and features like Game Boost make motion appear smoother.
How does the game look on OLED TVs like the LG C2?
On a 4K OLED TV, colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and HDR enhances overall image quality, making the game feel lifelike.
Are character models improved on PS5 Pro?
Yes, Arthur Morgan and NPCs appear cleaner with sharper textures and minimal blurring.
Does PS5 Pro reduce loading times for Red Dead Redemption 2?
Absolutely. Loading times drop from around 90 seconds on PS4 to roughly 30 seconds, allowing quicker access to the open world.
Does Red Dead Redemption 2 support 60FPS on PS5 Pro?
Currently, the game is capped at 30 FPS. A future patch could enable higher frame rates.
Conclusion
Playing Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5 Pro elevates the game to a whole new level. With sharper graphics, enhanced HDR, reduced loading times, and smoother motion, the open world feels more immersive and alive than ever. While the game remains locked at 30FPS and runs in checkerboard 4K, the visual improvements, especially on a 4K OLED TV like the LG C2, are stunning. For fans of Arthur Morgan and the rich, expansive world of Red Dead Redemption 2, the PS5 Pro version delivers an unforgettable experience that’s well worth exploring.