Bloodborne, the critically acclaimed action RPG developed by FromSoftware, might soon unofficially make its way to PC through a PlayStation 4 emulator. Since its 2015 release, fans have clamored for a remastered PC version, but Sony, the game’s publisher, has not greenlit such a port despite numerous requests. Now, enthusiasts are taking matters into their own hands, teasing an emulator that could bring Bloodborne to desktops.
Bloodborne has been hailed as a masterful example of the Soulslike genre, with many fans considering it on par with, or even superior to, subsequent FromSoftware titles. Its exclusivity to PlayStation has limited its audience compared to multi-platform games, much to the dismay of fans. Despite reports from insiders indicating that neither FromSoftware nor Sony has plans to port Bloodborne to PC, director Hidetaka Miyazaki has expressed that he is not opposed to the idea.
While an official port seems unlikely in the near future, the possibility of playing Bloodborne on PC is becoming more tangible through the use of an unofficial emulator. ShadPS4, a relatively new PlayStation 4 emulator, has shown promise. Developers recently posted a brief video showcasing Bloodborne running on a PC. The clip, less than a minute long, displays the game’s boot sequence, title menu, and a somewhat buggy character creation screen.
Although this marks significant progress in PlayStation 4 emulation, the unofficial port is far from complete. Attempts to progress past the character creation screen currently result in errors. The developers of ShadPS4 have acknowledged that this is just the beginning and that much work remains before a stable version is released. They did not provide a specific release window for a functional version, but fans are hopeful that it won’t be long before they can explore the Victorian-style streets of Yharnam on their PCs.
While fans are excited about the potential of unofficial emulators, there are concerns that Sony might intervene to protect its intellectual property. The legality of unofficial emulators has always been contentious. Major video game developers have previously shut down fan-made programs, as seen in the recent case of Nintendo and the Yuzu emulator.
Bloodborne is set in Yharnam, a Lovecraftian Gothic hellscape, and features fast-paced, aggressive gameplay. The game blends challenging combat with exploration, build variety, and rich lore, making it a beloved title in the Soulslike genre.
System: PlayStation
Platform(s): PS4
Released: March 24, 2015
Developer(s): FromSoftware
Publisher(s): Sony
How Long To Beat: 33 Hours
PS Plus Availability: Extra & Premium
