Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is getting closer to becoming playable natively on Android. FromSoftware’s award-winning game, originally released in 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, has received an unofficial mobile port that some players are already testing.
It is not yet possible to say for certain whether this is a recompiled port or an adapted version that uses an APK and compatibility layers to run the PC game.
The project has attracted attention from the mobile gaming community by running such a demanding game with surprisingly good performance. In one published test, Sekiro runs at close to 60 FPS, with touchscreen controls and several graphics options.
The adaptation is based on the PC version and is being developed independently. It is therefore not an official release from FromSoftware or Activision.
Sekiro for Android impresses with performance of up to 60 FPS
A recently released gameplay video shows an experimental Android build of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in action.
When the application starts, it detects the smartphone’s specifications and indicates whether the device is ready to run the game. Sekiro then loads normally, showing 3D environments, characters, and combat similar to the PC version.
Performance is the highlight. During the test, the game reaches approximately 60 frames per second, an impressive result considering how demanding the original title is.
However, the build still has some graphical issues, especially minor rendering glitches near certain parts of the screen. A watermark is also visible, indicating that this is a test version.
Despite these problems, the demonstration shows exploration and combat sequences running quite smoothly on the device used.
Gameplay:
Sekiro’s Android version includes resolution and graphics settings
Another interesting feature is the port’s own settings menu, allowing players to customize various graphics and performance options.
Available settings include:
- Resolution adjustable between 480p and 720p;
- Frame-rate limits of 60 or 120 FPS;
- An option to enable or disable shadows;
- Customizable on-screen controls;
- Support for physical controllers in certain test builds.
It is worth noting that choosing a 120 FPS cap does not necessarily mean the game can reach that frame rate. Actual performance depends on the smartphone’s power and the settings being used.
The build shown also has no AI frame-generation feature.
During testing, the touchscreen controls responded well. That matters particularly in a game like Sekiro, where precise movement, dodges, and especially well-timed deflections are essential.
The port promises better performance than PC emulation
The project’s technical approach is also drawing attention. According to the developer, the adaptation uses code recompilation for smartphones’ ARM64 architecture instead of simply running the game through conventional Windows emulation tools.
The aim is to reduce some of the additional processing required to run PC games on Android, potentially improving both performance and resource consumption.
However, there are not yet enough comparative tests to determine how much more efficient the adaptation is than solutions such as Winlator and other Windows-game compatibility applications.
Heat is another important consideration. In the video, the tester says the phone becomes warm while running Sekiro, but that the temperature seems more manageable than in some previous emulation experiences.
Results may vary significantly between devices.
When will Sekiro be released for Android?
For now, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for Android has no official release date. The project remains in development, and some community members are already testing experimental builds.
In a Reddit post, the developer known as eliteMV said work is continuing on optimizing the game, especially for mid-range smartphones.
The project’s earliest tests were carried out on RedMagic gaming phones, which feature high-performance processors.
The developer also said the goal is to improve performance before making a more complete version available to the public.
Compatibility with all Android processors has not been confirmed, and the results seen on powerful gaming phones should not be taken as a guarantee of similar performance on other devices.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019 and has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
If the project continues to advance, it could become another example of modern smartphones managing to run increasingly complex games that were previously confined to PCs and consoles.
Updates about the project can be followed through the developer’s Reddit post.
