Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered requirements have been announced recently, and PC users can expect a rather familiar tune (that’s likely starting to get old). The Remastered version will require a mandatory PSN (PlayStation Network) account. That is even if you’re playing it on the PC (Steam or Epic Games). For many, this is a huge dealbreaker. It might even be something that warrants a seething reaction, such as the classic review bombing protest.
If anything, the pattern of PC user behavior toward Sony’s PSN requirements is a telltale sign of what’s to come for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Previously, there was the Helldivers 2 fiasco where the forced PSN requirement was met with review bombing. The same happened to the PC/Steam version of God of War: Ragnarok. In both cases, the PSN account requirement was announced beforehand.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered isn’t set to arrive until October 31, 2024, on the PC. Still, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to expect the same Steam user reaction. After all, one of the valid reasons that fueled the backlash to the PSN account requirement is how PSN isn’t even available in other countries therefore denying those countries access to the PC version of the game.
Sony’s Not Backing Down
Sony remains adamant in its decision, however. PSN accounts and PSN logins are now mandatory for the PC versions of their games. And you can expect this for any PC port of a Sony game in the near future.
It is also worth noting that Horizon Zero Dawn already has a PC/Steam version that was released back in 2020. This non-remastered version doesn’t require a PSN account, but the $10 Remastered upgrade requires a PSN account.
It remains to be seen how Sony or Steam will handle countries that have no PSN but own a non-remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn. The best-case scenario is that the Remastered upgrade won’t be available for those countries and users.
