ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER M∀RS ShadPS4 Compatibility Report CUSA10631
Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the compatibility of ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS (CUSA10631) with the ShadPS4 emulator. This classic title has a special place in many gamers' hearts, and we're here to break down how it runs on this exciting PS4 emulator. Let's get started!
Introduction to ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS
ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS is a visually stunning, high-speed mech action game developed by Konami. Originally released for the PlayStation 2, this enhanced version brings the game to the PlayStation 4 with improved graphics, audio, and VR support. Players step into the cockpit of the Orbital Frame Jehuty, engaging in intense battles against hordes of enemies and colossal bosses. The game is celebrated for its fast-paced combat, intricate storyline, and memorable characters. For emulation enthusiasts, getting this game to run smoothly is a top priority.
Game Information
- Game Name: ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS
- Game Serial: CUSA10631
- Game Version: 1.00
- Emulator Version Tested: 0.10.0
- Operating System: Linux
Initial Setup and Testing
Before diving into the gameplay experience, it's crucial to ensure that the emulator is set up correctly. Here's a breakdown of the steps taken to test the game:
Checklist Verification
The first step in any compatibility test is to ensure that the testing environment meets the required standards. This involves confirming several critical aspects of the setup. Before launching ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS, the following checklist items were verified:
- Emulator Version: The test was conducted on the latest major release, version 0.10.0, to ensure stability and access to the most recent improvements and fixes. Nightly builds were avoided to maintain a consistent testing environment.
- Official Game: The game tested is an officially released PlayStation 4 title. This ensures that the focus is on the emulator’s ability to handle standard retail games.
- Unique Issue: A thorough check was performed to confirm that no other issues had been opened for this specific game and operating system combination. This prevents duplication of effort and helps consolidate information.
- Game Ownership: The game dump used for testing was created from a legally owned copy of ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS. This respects copyright and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
- Unmodified Game Dump: The game dump was verified to be unmodified, with no game patches enabled and no repackaging into a FPKG format. This ensures that the test results accurately reflect the emulator’s performance on a clean, standard game image.
- Firmware Libraries: All necessary PlayStation 4 firmware libraries, as specified in the compatibility list description, were dumped and placed in the shadPS4 'sys_modules' folder. These libraries are crucial for the emulator to function correctly.
- Logging Type: The logging type was set to "sync" to ensure that all emulation activity is accurately recorded, aiding in debugging and analysis.
- Default Settings: No manual settings were enabled that would alter emulation behavior. This includes options like "Vulkan Validation," "readbacks," "directMemoryAccess," and "isPS4Pro." Maintaining default settings provides a baseline for performance evaluation.
Initial Boot and VR Option
Upon launching the game, the first prompt asks whether to enable VR mode. For this test, the VR option was set to “no” to focus on the standard gameplay experience.
In-Game Experience
Let's dive into how the game actually performs once you get past the initial setup. Here’s what was observed during gameplay:
Intro Video
The game boots successfully, and the intro video plays without any major issues. This is a positive sign, indicating that the emulator can handle the initial video playback.
Gameplay Issues
Once the actual gameplay begins, things get a bit rocky. The primary issues encountered include:
- Missing Textures: A significant number of textures are missing, which severely impacts the visual quality of the game. This makes it difficult to appreciate the intricate details and vibrant environments that ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS is known for.
- Navigation Difficulties: The missing textures and potential graphical glitches make it very challenging to navigate the game world. Players may find themselves disoriented and unable to progress smoothly.
Screenshots
To illustrate the issues, here are some screenshots taken during gameplay:
These images clearly show the extent of the texture issues, with large portions of the environment appearing blank or distorted. This not only detracts from the visual experience but also affects gameplay by making it harder to identify pathways and obstacles.
Log File Analysis
A crucial part of any compatibility test is the log file. These files contain detailed information about the emulator's operations, including any errors or warnings that may indicate underlying issues. Analyzing the log file can provide valuable insights into why certain problems are occurring.
The log file for this test, CUSA10631.log, has been included for further investigation. Developers and experienced users can review this file to identify specific error messages or patterns that may shed light on the texture and navigation problems.
Current Status: Ingame with Major Issues
Based on the testing, ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS is currently classified as Ingame on ShadPS4. This means that the game boots and progresses beyond the initial loading screens. However, the experience is significantly hampered by the missing textures and navigation difficulties. While the game is technically playable, these issues make it far from an ideal experience.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, while ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS manages to get in-game on ShadPS4 emulator version 0.10.0, the missing textures and navigation problems prevent a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience. The intro video plays fine, indicating that the core emulation is functioning, but there are significant graphical issues that need to be addressed.
Areas for Improvement
- Texture Rendering: The primary focus should be on resolving the missing texture issues. This may involve investigating the emulator’s rendering pipeline and identifying any compatibility issues with the game’s texture formats or shaders.
- Graphical Glitches: Addressing any other graphical anomalies that contribute to navigation difficulties is crucial. This could involve debugging the emulator’s handling of specific graphical effects or post-processing techniques.
Call to Action
If you're a developer or an experienced user, your insights could be invaluable in improving the emulation of ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS on ShadPS4. Here’s how you can help:
- Review the Log File: Take a look at the provided CUSA10631.log and see if you can identify any error messages or patterns that correlate with the observed issues.
- Experiment with Settings: If you’re familiar with emulator settings, try experimenting with different configurations to see if any specific settings improve the game’s performance or resolve the texture issues. Remember to document your findings so that others can benefit from your discoveries.
- Share Your Insights: If you have any ideas, suggestions, or potential solutions, please share them with the ShadPS4 community. Collaboration is key to making progress in emulation.
Final Thoughts
Emulating PlayStation 4 games is a complex and ongoing endeavor. While ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS isn't fully playable on ShadPS4 just yet, each compatibility test brings us one step closer to achieving accurate and enjoyable emulation. Stay tuned for future updates, and let’s work together to make ShadPS4 the best PS4 emulator it can be! Thanks for reading, and happy gaming!