ShadPS4 Bloodborne emulator shows dramatic PC performance gains over PS5, with no remaster in sight

In an age when rereleases are routine, the lack of a Bloodborne remaster continues to puzzle fans. Without an upgrade patch, the FromSoftware PS4 game exhibits choppy visuals on the PS5. After a recent update, the ShadPS4 emulator delivers the performance boost that PC and PlayStation users have been craving.

How has Bloodborne PC emulation evolved?

Improvements from previous builds of the program were already evident in other videos. However, ElAnalistaDeBits has now compared graphics on various gaming PCs to those of the PS5. The most significant improvements are with frame rates, where it’s possible to achieve over 60 fps. Gamers can also exceed the 1080p resolution limit on Sony’s latest consoles.

On a rig with an RTX 4060 Ti, the footage shows frame rates in the 80-100 range. When bumping up the resolution to 1440p, an RTX 5070 produced similar results. Finally, ShadPS4 supports 4K visuals in Bloodborne PC tests, maintaining 60 fps or higher. It’s also expected that the PS4 emulator could be further tweaked for even more impressive performance.

The latest round of enhancements includes revamped lighting effects. Bushes and trees benefit from more authentic-looking Screen Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO). The developers also opted to turn off the blurry chromatic aberration native to the PS4 game.

Despite PS5 compatibility, the game doesn’t take advantage of the console's faster loading times. Particularly on gaming PCs with SSDs, quicker scene changes are obvious.

Only a Bloodborne remaster may satisfy some critics

Mods are possible with the PS4 emulator, but players may have to wait for a Bloodborne remaster to see overhauled gameplay. One request is for more flexible fast travel and rest options, offered in FromSoftware's souls-like titles like Elden Ring.

Unfortunately, ShadPS4 is not the most user-friendly application. It only boots certain titles, and setup can be challenging for novice users. Nevertheless, without an official remaster or Bloodborne 2 on the horizon, some diehard fans are taking the plunge.