Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster Has Controversial Requirement on PC

Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster Has Controversial Requirement on PC

Key Takeaways

  • Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered needs a PSN account to play on Steam – causing inconvenience for some users.
  • Despite backlash over the PSN requirement, Sony is adamant about enforcing it for all its games, including single-player ones.
  • Concerns over pricing and the PSN requirement have affected the reception of the remastered before launch.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast with roots deeply embedded in the PlayStation universe, I must confess my excitement for the upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered was dampened by the recent revelation of its PSN account requirement on Steam. Having grown up with Sony consoles and amassing an extensive library of digital games over the years, this new development has added a layer of inconvenience to my gaming experience that I hadn’t anticipated.


To enjoy the forthcoming remastered version of “Horizon Zero Dawn”, Steam users will necessitate a PlayStation Network account. The recently announced remastered edition of “Horizon Zero Dawn” was unveiled during the latest PlayStation State of Play event, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to revisit Aloy’s initial adventure with improved graphics that optimally utilize contemporary hardware.

Despite Horizon Zero Dawn being seven years old now, it remains one of the most visually impressive video games ever made, leaving some to wonder if a remaster is necessary. However, Sony has chosen to proceed with the release of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for both PC and PlayStation 5 on October 31, regardless of these questions.

The remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn has faced criticism as unnecessary, and now it’s drawing flak for necessitating a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. Similar to other Sony games launched on PC, the Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered demands users to log in with a PSN account. While this may not be problematic for some, others find the requirement bothersome, and it can lead to significant issues for residents of specific regions. Nonetheless, Sony remains firm on implementing the PSN requirement across its games, even single-player ones such as Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Requires a PSN Account on PC

It appears that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered hasn’t been fortunate in terms of public reception, mainly due to its pricing strategy and PSN requirement. The announcement that those who already own the original Horizon Zero Dawn can upgrade for $10 seems reasonable, but the subsequent increase in the price of the original game from $19.99 to $39.99 has caused some controversy. On Steam, Sony chose to sell the original Horizon Zero Dawn only as part of a bundle with the remaster for $49.99, which has added fuel to the dissatisfaction among fans.

Sony has faced significant criticism for requiring PSN on its Steam releases, which has influenced the response towards their games. The game Helldivers 2 was targeted in a review bombing campaign that led to Sony relaxing the requirement, but all subsequent PlayStation-published Steam titles have adhered to this contentious policy. It appears that PSN requirements will be standard for Sony’s Steam releases from now on. Players must decide whether to accept this or avoid PlayStation’s Steam games if they strongly oppose it. The impact of these requirements on the sales of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, set to launch later this month, will certainly be intriguing to observe.

Read More

2024-10-05 22:44