- SharpEmu, the open-source PS5 emulator, manages to load the Demon's Souls Remake character creator on PC.
- The project has also started Astro Bot, Ghost of Yotei and several 2D games, although none are playable yet.
- The advance comes amid growing interest in digital preservation following Sony's announcement that it will discontinue physical discs by 2028.
- Developed in C#, SharpEmu is still in its early stages but shows rapid progress comparable to that of ShadPS4 with Bloodborne.
The gaming community in Spain and Europe is closely following the steps of SharpEmu, the PlayStation 5 emulator that's causing surprises Week after week. What seemed like science fiction a few months ago—running Sony console games on a computer—is starting to take shape, although there's still a long way to go. The open-source project, written in C#, has recently achieved a milestone that many considered crucial: reaching the character creator of Demon's Souls Remake.
This achievement, documented by the YouTube channel BrutalSam, doesn't mean it's playable, but it does mean that The emulator is capable of loading 3D resources, textures, and part of the system kernel.In the world of emulation, getting past the loading screen and accessing an interactive menu is a huge step. And it's not the only advance: SharpEmu has also managed to boot Astro Bot, Ghost of Yotei (although it freezes after the initial screen) and several 2D titles such as Dreaming sarah o Dead Cells.
Demon's Souls' leap: from crash to character creator
Just a week ago, SharpEmu could barely display a few seconds of Demon's Souls before hanging. Now, The emulator is capable of loading the eboot.bin file, executing native CPU instructions, and partially managing kernel functions. until reaching the character customization screen. According to BrutalSam's video, the session lasted more than thirteen minutes without interruption, something unthinkable just days before.
The remake by Bluepoint Games and FromSoftware is the most demanding title to have passed this stage. The developers have confirmed that the game is identified as PPSA01341 and that the shaders must be converted to SPIR-V and Vulkan, a process that is still underway. Even so, The comparison with ShadPS4 is inevitable: that emulator went from starting Bloodborne to running it stably in a matter of months after reaching a similar point.
SharpEmu doesn't focus solely on Demon's SoulsIt is also being tested with Void Terrarium, Dreaming sarah y Dead CellsThese titles, being 2D, are less complex to emulate and could offer the first playable results. In fact, Dead Cells is already showing signs of partial functionality, bringing the possibility of a real game in the not-too-distant future closer..
Beyond Demon's Souls: Astro Bot, Ghost of Yotei and the context of emulation
The emulator has also managed to start up Astro Bot, one of the most beloved PS5 exclusives, although for now it only reaches the loading screen. Ghost of Yotei, the Sucker Punch title released in October 2025, has also started, but it freezes after the title screenThese advances, although limited, demonstrate that SharpEmu is steadily expanding its compatibility with commercial games.
The interest in these advances is not accidental. Sony has announced that it will stop manufacturing games in physical format starting in 2028.This decision has sparked concerns about digital preservation. In Europe, where the second-hand market and game rentals have a long tradition, emulation is emerging as an alternative for preserving the PS5 catalog. Furthermore, the company has been criticized for its dynamic pricing policies and the cancellation of PC ports, such as that of Marvel's Wolverinewhich fuels interest in independent solutions.
SharpEmu isn't alone on this path. There are other projects like KytyPS5, which has managed to load the main menu of GTA V in its PS5 version, or RPCSX, which handles PS4 and PS5 emulation. However, SharpEmu has become the focus of attention due to its speed of development and its focus on accuracy.Its repository on GitHub has over 2400 stars and 225 commits, and the latest version was released on July 15, 2026.
Despite the progress, developers are cautious. Critical components such as full kernel implementation, shader management, and performance optimization are missing.Currently, no PS5 game is fully playable on SharpEmu. The community hopes that, following the success of ShadPS4, the first titles will be running stably within a few months, but there are no specific timelines.
The road to full PS5 emulation on PC is long, but each new milestone brings that goal a little closer. SharpEmu has demonstrated that, with open-source work and community collaboration, it is possible to overcome the technical barriers of a current console.While Sony redefines its strategy and players seek alternatives, this emulator is establishing itself as one of the most promising initiatives to preserve and enjoy the PlayStation 5 catalog outside of its original ecosystem.