The wave of Android ports and recompilation projects has just reached a level that seemed impossible only a few months ago. Bloodborne, one of the best-known PlayStation 4 games, already has an experimental version running directly on Android smartphones.
The project, called Bloodborne-Android, is based on the bbport project originally developed for computers and adapts the game to ARM64 processors used in phones.
There is one important technical detail: this is not a completely native port. The runtime and renderer run natively on ARM64, while Bloodborne’s original x86-64 code is translated in real time through FEXCore.
Bloodborne already runs on Android
The current version uses files from Bloodborne updated to version 1.09 and can already boot into the game, load saves, explore Yharnam and fight enemies.
The project has been officially tested on devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Elite, using Adreno 740 and Adreno 830 GPUs.
Compatibility is still limited. Other Adreno 6xx, 7xx and 8xx chips are considered untested officially, while Mali GPU devices continue to present issues.
FSR 3.1 and frame generation
One of the most interesting aspects of this version is the amount of graphics technology already available.
Bloodborne-Android supports FSR 3.1 for image reconstruction and frame generation.
There is also support for Lossless Scaling, which can generate additional frames at 2x, 3x or 4x ratios.
The project itself warns that FSR 3.1 frame generation still has image-quality issues and recommends Lossless Scaling as an alternative.
From 30 to 60 FPS depending on settings
In early tests, Bloodborne already runs around 30 FPS with more conservative settings.
On more powerful devices, with adjustments to resolution, FSR and graphics quality, demonstrations reach around 40, 50 and even 60 FPS.
That does not mean the game is fully stable at 60 FPS.
The version still suffers from crashes, graphical glitches and other issues depending on the selected settings.
Features such as shadows, reflections and higher resolutions significantly increase the load, so lowering graphics quality remains essential for better performance.
Gameplay from the TRC Games channel:
Touch controls and gamepad support
The project already includes complete on-screen controls inspired by the DualShock.
Buttons can be repositioned and edited directly from the side menu.
Players can also connect a Bluetooth or USB controller and completely disable the virtual buttons.
For Bloodborne, which relies heavily on dodges, parries and quick inputs, a physical controller still appears to be the best option.
Cheats are also available
The app menu includes several curious extra options.
These include the ability to skip online connection screens, skip startup intros and even enable a free camera.
Built-in cheats are also available, including infinite health and infinite blood vials.
These options can be activated directly through the side menu while playing.
Original Bloodborne files are still required
As with other projects of this kind, the APK does not include the game.
Users need to provide files extracted from their own copy of Bloodborne with update 1.09 installed.
According to the developers, different commercial editions use the same updated executable and may work.
Android 9 and plenty of RAM
Requirements are not yet completely defined, but the project currently requires Android 9 or newer and 4 KB memory pages.
Official tests were carried out on devices with 16 GB of RAM, showing that this project is still aimed mainly at high-performance smartphones and handhelds.
It is still far from perfect
The developer describes Bloodborne-Android as experimental.
There are reports of crashes, graphical glitches and instability, especially when trying to use higher frame rates.
Even so, seeing Bloodborne running directly on a smartphone with touch controls and FSR is already impressive.
After GTA 4, Need for Speed Carbon, Devil May Cry 4 and several other projects appeared on Android, even one of the PS4’s most famous games has joined this new wave.
Source: Bloodborne-Android on GitHub.
Post Relacionados:
