The Last of Us Part II Remastered's PC release on April 3, 2025, will necessitate a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, sparking controversy among potential players. This requirement, also present in previous PC ports of PlayStation exclusives, forces users to create or link a PSN account to play, a move that has faced significant backlash in the past.
While the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC is exciting news for fans who previously needed a PlayStation 5 to experience the award-winning sequel, the PSN requirement is a significant point of contention. The Steam page explicitly states this necessity, allowing players to link existing accounts to their Steam profiles. However, this detail, easily overlooked, has ignited frustration among gamers who remember the strong negative reaction to similar requirements in past PC ports, such as Helldivers 2, where the requirement was ultimately removed due to player outcry.
Sony's rationale for this requirement remains unclear, especially considering the game's single-player nature. While PSN accounts are justifiable for games with multiplayer components or PlayStation overlays (like Ghost of Tsushima), their necessity for a single-player experience like The Last of Us Part II is questionable. The move is likely a strategic effort to encourage broader engagement with Sony's services, but this business decision risks alienating a portion of the PC gaming audience.
The inconvenience extends beyond simply creating an account. The PSN is not globally available, potentially excluding players in certain regions. This restriction clashes with the accessibility typically associated with the Last of Us franchise, further fueling the negative reaction from some players. While a basic PSN account is free, the added step of account creation or linking adds friction to the gaming experience.