The much-anticipated remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn, which first made waves with its leak in September, is set to launch at the end of October. However, this excitement comes with a caveat: players will need a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to access the game. For those considering purchasing the original PC version as an alternative, that option has been eliminated, as it has been removed from sale.
PSN Requirement and Market Reactions
According to reports from IGN, both the Steam and Epic Games Store pages for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered clearly state that a PSN account is mandatory for PC gameplay. While the Complete Edition remains listed, it is no longer available for purchase. On Steam, users are redirected to the remaster, while Epic Games Store simply marks the original as “unavailable.”
This situation echoes the earlier controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, where Sony’s introduction of a PSN requirement sparked significant backlash, resulting in over 221,000 negative reviews on Steam. This overwhelming response ultimately compelled Sony to retract the requirement. Nevertheless, the company seems undeterred in its strategy to link PC gamers to the PlayStation Network for its titles.
As Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered approaches its release on October 31, speculation arises about whether it will face a similar wave of negative reviews. Unlike Helldivers 2, which boasted a massive player base upon launch, Horizon Zero Dawn, while a beloved title, is several years old. This raises questions about the rationale behind its remastering.
Interestingly, God of War: Ragnarok, which debuted on PC on September 19, also imposes a PSN requirement but has managed to maintain a “mostly positive” rating on Steam. Although it faced an initial review bombing, the overall reception remains relatively strong.
Currently, the Steam page for Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition has seen a slight uptick in negative reviews, with 39 recorded in the past two days against 62 positive ones. While this indicates some dissatisfaction, it does not yet signal a widespread revolt.
As the release date for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered draws near, the gaming community awaits to see how players will respond. While some may express their discontent, it remains uncertain whether this will escalate to the level of outrage witnessed with Helldivers 2. History suggests that what may seem like a significant issue today often fades into the background of gaming culture, as echoed in the words of Bruce Springsteen: “You get used to anything. Sooner or later, it just becomes your life.”
