One of the biggest questions surrounding GTA 6 is how Rockstar’s ambitious open-world title will fare on the base PS5. Sony’s ninth-generation console was released all the way back in 2020, and since then, it has played host to some genuine visual spectacles. But given the sheer graphical fidelity showcased in GTA 6’s trailers, coupled with Rockstar’s penchant for crafting breathtaking open worlds, it’s fair to wonder if the PS5 is capable of keeping up.
Death Stranding 2’s PS5 Overheating Issues Are Concerning
A major reason behind my concern has to do with the performance of Death Stranding 2 on the standard PS5. The console exclusive is arguably one of the best-looking titles we’ve seen in this generation, with meticulously detailed textures, pristine environments, and unfathomable draw distances.
To the base PS5’s credit, the console does a commendable job of maintaining steady framerates across the quality and performance modes. But it does suffer from a fatal shortcoming that can potentially harm the system.
As reported by several PS5 owners on X and Reddit, DS2 is causing consoles to overheat, with the game’s map screen being the main culprit. Pulling up the menu reportedly sends the system’s fans into overdrive, leading the ominous overheating message to flash on the screen. And before you chalk it up to dust-clogged vents, several users noted their consoles were recently cleaned, and one even said their PS5 was brand new.
The overheating issue isn’t just limited to the map screen either, with several users also reporting problems during general gameplay. These aren’t as widespread as the menu-related troubles, but still worth considering in the larger context.
Death Stranding 2 isn’t the only recent video game title that has caused the PS5 to sweat either, as Black Myth: Wukong and Final Fantasy XVI were notoriously heavy on the console, with the former causing overheating issues on my console as well. These examples serve as the foundation for my concerns, and I can’t help but feel that GTA 6 could really struggle on the PS5.
GTA 6 Could Be the PS5’s Biggest Technical Challenge Yet
Given the vast amount of gameplay systems, dense NPC populations, the simulation-heavy world design, and of course, the graphical fidelity itself, GTA 6 will likely be the toughest customer the PS5 has dealt with so far.
Rockstar’s upcoming title isn’t the only one that had similar ambitions — Cyberpunk 2077 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are two great examples. But it’s safe to assume that GTA 6’s visual presentation will be on an entirely different level.
Historically, every console iteration of GTA has pushed hardware to its limits, often sacrificing framerate in the process. Grand Theft Auto IV launched on PS3 with frequent dips into the low 20s FPS. GTA V found better footing on PS4 and Xbox One, but even then, it remained locked at 30 FPS. Red Dead Redemption 2, which is GTA-esque in scope, also sticks to the 30 FPS mark, even on current-gen machines. These examples paint a clear pattern of console performance, so GTA 6 hitting anywhere close to 60 FPS on the PS5 is a pipe dream.
Even the PS5 Pro, with its modest CPU clock boost, will likely struggle to achieve buttery-smooth gameplay. Don’t take it from me, here’s what Digital Foundry’s Technical Lead Richard Leadbetter had to say on the subject: “Grand Theft Auto games have always run complex simulations that push the CPU hard, which is why every GTA game has initially launched on their target platforms at 30 FPS. The PS5 Pro uses the same CPU as the PS5, and it would be extremely challenging to hit 60 FPS if the base PS5 version is targeting 30 FPS. This isn’t a GPU problem, it’s a CPU problem.”
30 FPS on either console isn’t a dealbreaker, of course, but grainy textures, low resolutions, and blurry visuals will be much harder to stomach. Admittedly, there’s a certain degree of comprise that console users simply have to contend with. But after seeing Death Stranding 2 push the PS5 to its limits — literally overheating systems just by opening the map — it’s hard not to worry about what GTA 6 might demand.
With that said, do you agree with my concerns? What are your expectations for GTA 6 on Sony’s console? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
