Akuji the Heartless Recompiled

Name: Akuji the Heartless Recompiled
Author: fuzzybark

Akuji the Heartless Recompiled is a native Windows recompilation of Akuji the Heartless for PlayStation with high-resolution rendering and PGXP support.

Type: PC port
Game: Akuji the Heartless
Runs on Windows
By fuzzybark
Latest release v0.1.0, 2026-11-07
Source: https://github.com/fuzzybark/AkujiTheHeartlessRecomp

README

Akuji the Heartless Recompiled

A native 64-bit Windows static recompilation project for the 1998 PlayStation classic Akuji the Heartless (SLUS-00715), built on the psxrecomp runtime and recomp-ui launcher.

Overview

Unlike emulators that interpret or dynamically recompile MIPS instructions at runtime, static recompilation translates PlayStation binaries ahead of time into native C code. When compiled for modern 64-bit platforms, the game executes natively with zero emulation overhead, and modern PC enhancements.

Note

This static recompilation was tested and verified with the SLUS-00715 version of the game (USA, NTSC-U). Ensure your disc dump matches the USA retail release in multi-track CUE/BIN format.

Key Enhancements

Arbitrary High-Resolution Rendering: Internal rendering up to 4K+ UHD with windowed, borderless, and exclusive fullscreen modes.
PGXP Sub-Pixel Precision: Eliminates characteristic PlayStation 3D polygon jitter, vertex wobble, and polygon seam tearing.
Perspective-Correct Texturing: Corrects affine UV interpolation on 3D geometry.
Presentation Decoupling: Smooth frame presentation pacing at 60, 120, 144, 200, 240 FPS or monitor refresh sync without altering the fixed 30 Hz game physics.
Clean-Room OpenBIOS: Bundled with open-source OpenBIOS (MIT). No proprietary Sony retail BIOS dump is required.
Controller & Keyboard Support: Full native support for Xbox (XInput), PlayStation (DualShock 4 / DualSense), Switch Pro, and DirectInput controllers, plus customizable keyboard mappings.
Standard Memory Cards: Full compatibility with standard .mcd memory card files in saves/card1.mcd.

Clean-Room Legal Architecture

Important

Zero Copyrighted Assets Distributed: In strict compliance with copyright law and clean-room development principles, this repository distributes zero commercial game assets, level data, textures, audio tracks, models, or proprietary BIOS ROMs.

Furthermore, mechanically translated game code (generated/) is excluded from this repository to avoid copyright liability as an unauthorized derivative work. Contributors and players generate the game C locally from their own legally owned retail copy of the game disc (SLUS-00715) using the provided static recompiler toolchain.

Getting Started

For Contributors & Builders

Clone this repository with submodules:

git clone https://github.com/<organization>/AkujiTheHeartlessRecomp.git --recursive

Place your legally dumped Akuji the Heartless (USA).cue and .bin tracks into disc/.

Generate the local game C:

python psxrecomp/psxrecomp_cli.py generate --config game.toml --project-root . --disc "disc/Akuji the Heartless (USA).cue"

Build the Release binary:

cmake -S . -B build-release -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
cmake --build build-release --config Release

See BUILDING.md for full instructions.

For Players (Windows x64 Release Package)

Download akuji-recomp-v0.1.0-windows-x64.zip from the project release page.
Extract the archive into a folder on your computer.
Place your legally dumped Akuji the Heartless (USA).cue and .bin files into the disc/ folder (or select them via the launcher).
Run AkujiTheHeartless_Recompiled.exe.
Select your preferred display preset and click Launch.
See INSTALLATION.md for disc dumping and configuration steps.

Documentation Index

Building from Source: Toolchain setup, local C generation, and compilation instructions.
Installation Guide: How to dump your disc and configure game files.
User Guide: Graphics presets, display options, keyboard shortcuts, and gamepad bindings.
Contributing Guidelines: Clean-room rules, issue workflow, and pull request guidelines.
Security Policy: Vulnerability reporting procedures.
Copyright & License Audit: In-depth legal analysis of code, assets, and frameworks.
Copyright Blockers Analysis: Detailed assessment of open-source vs. binary distribution legal blockers.
Third-Party Licenses: Full license texts for all upstream dependencies.

Licensing & Disclaimers

Repository Adapter Code: Licensed under the MIT License.
psxrecomp Engine: Licensed under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. Commercial use is strictly prohibited.
recomp-ui Launcher: Licensed under the MIT License.
OpenBIOS: Licensed under the MIT License.

Akuji the Heartless is © 1998 Crystal Dynamics / Eidos Interactive / Embracer Group. This fan-made project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Interactive, Embracer Group, or Sony Interactive Entertainment.

This project was developed with assistance from Google's Gemini AI models, the project is maintained as an open-source community effort, and contributions from other developers are welcome.