Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster Faces Controversial PC Requirement
The upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has stirred controversy among PC gamers due to a newly announced requirement: players must have a PSN account to access the game on Steam. The remaster was revealed during the recent PlayStation State of Play event, allowing fans to revisit Aloy's original journey with enhanced visuals optimized for modern hardware.
Although the original Horizon Zero Dawn is now seven years old, it's still regarded as one of the most visually stunning games ever made. This has led many to question the necessity of a remaster. Nonetheless, Sony has moved forward with Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, which is slated for release on PC and PlayStation 5 on October 31.
Criticism Surrounding PSN Requirement
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has already faced criticism from fans, who argue that the remaster is largely unnecessary. The backlash has intensified with the announcement that a PSN account will be required for the PC version, a policy Sony has implemented for all of its recent PC releases. While this requirement may not be a major issue for some, it has caused frustration for others, especially those living in regions where accessing a PSN account can be difficult or inconvenient. Despite the complaints, Sony remains firm on its decision to enforce the PSN login requirement, even for single-player games like Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Pricing Controversy
In addition to the PSN requirement, pricing for the remaster has also drawn criticism. Sony announced that owners of the original Horizon Zero Dawn could upgrade to the remastered version for $10. However, the price of the original game was doubled from $19.99 to $39.99, making the upgrade offer less appealing. Furthermore, on Steam, the original game is now only available as part of a $49.99 bundle that includes the remaster, which has further irritated fans.
Sony’s Approach to PSN Requirements on Steam
Sony has faced significant backlash for enforcing PSN account requirements on its Steam releases, which has negatively impacted the reception of several of its games. Helldivers 2 was notably review-bombed due to the same requirement, leading Sony to reconsider its stance temporarily. However, since then, all PlayStation-published titles on Steam have continued to require PSN accounts.
It seems likely that PSN integration is here to stay for future Sony releases on Steam. Gamers who strongly oppose this policy may either have to accept it or boycott PlayStation titles on PC. With Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered launching later this month, it will be interesting to see how this controversial requirement impacts the game's sales and overall reception.
