REVIEW – Sony’s strategy here is baffling: they previously claimed the game wasn’t a blockbuster success, leading to the immediate cancellation of its sequel (prompting the director to depart). Yet, they’ve now released it on PlayStation 5—though calling it a “remaster” is a stretch for a title originally developed for the previous console generation. Good luck finding any logic in this…

Even more perplexing is that Days Gone Remastered is exclusive to PS5, while PC players receive only a $10 DLC and a minor update—makes perfect sense, right?

The “Remaster”: Sony’s Take on Re-releasing a Game

When a game is re-released for a newer console generation with minimal changes, it’s not truly a remaster—it’s just a reissue. Given the lack of significant technological leaps nowadays (unlike the transitions from PS1 to PS2 to PS3), Days Gone Remastered feels more like a visually enhanced repackaging. At least this time, it arrives without bugs, and the visuals have been notably improved, elevating the Cascade region’s appearance to match the quality of the 2021 PC version. Brighter colors and deeper contrasts make it genuinely more appealing. However, this alone is unlikely to entice previous players to return. The storyline remains identical, complete with those irritating fade-to-black scene transitions. Gameplay follows the same monotonous pattern. Technically, there’s a significant change: the new lighting engine is substantially upgraded over the original. Everything appears darker, more dramatic, and more realistic. Compared to the sterile atmosphere of the original PS4 version, this is a definite improvement. Frame rate performance is solid, maintaining a steady 60 FPS with minor hiccups. A future VRR support update will introduce a 40 FPS mode as well.

In summary: the graphics have improved, but the story and gameplay remain unchanged—Sony isn’t banking on these elements to drive re-sales. PC users don’t receive a remaster; instead, they get the $10 Broken Road DLC, offering the same additional content to enhance the PS5 version’s appeal. On PlayStation 5, players benefit from DualSense support and numerous quality-of-life features: high contrast mode, adjustable field of view (FOV), and more.

The Game Itself—Without the DLC

The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where our protagonist, Deacon St. John, searches for his missing wife, Sarah. This quest takes place on a motorcycle, whose handling is, to put it mildly, less than perfect, yet the entire gameplay experience revolves around it—continuous upgrades aim to optimize the vehicle. Riding in the rain makes handling slipperier but also quieter, facilitating stealth. Players must master smart turning and staying on the road while constantly monitoring fuel levels, as new gasoline production has ceased. The narrative centers on ownership and survival, with the world filled with information and backstory worth reading, revealing intriguing, dramatic, and human elements. While riding, players must avoid crashing into trees or plowing into a horde of freakers (the local zombies) in pursuit of a single, miserable part. When not on the bike, the game offers third-person shooter action at Sony-exclusive quality levels. Previously, BadSector wrote a review of the game, which you can read here.

The DLC: Attempting to Make It Appealing Again

The standout addition is the Horde Assault mode, a classic horde mode where players aim for high scores in areas like Cascade, Belknap, Lost Lake, or Crater Lake. New characters are introduced, along with injectors that modify gameplay (both positively and negatively). This mode can indeed be enjoyable. The Permadeath mode, however, is a tough challenge, requiring players to complete the story without dying. Depending on settings, death means restarting from the beginning or from the second chapter. It’s recommended only for those who know the game inside out. In Speedrun mode, the goal is to race through the story as quickly as possible, appealing mainly to hardcore fans. A photo mode is also included, now a standard feature.

Only If You Missed It Before!

If you haven’t played Days Gone yet, this version is worth considering. However, for those who already own it on PS4 or PC, it’s only worth investing in if the new modes pique your interest. This remaster/DLC package feels like a tentative move from Sony. If they’re using it to gauge interest in a sequel, it’s a rather weak attempt. Technically and visually, it’s solid, but it doesn’t offer new content.

-V-

Developer: Bend Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Open-world survival-action re-release
Release Dates: April 26, 2019 (PS4), May 18, 2021 (PC), April 25, 2025 (PS5/PC: Broken Road DLC)

-V- (2025)