When The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered hits PC on April 3, 2025, players will need a PlayStation Network account to dive into the experience. Sony's decision to require a PSN account for its PC ports of previously exclusive titles has stirred controversy in recent years. While bringing fan-favorite games like The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered to Steam is a welcome move, the necessity of a PSN account has left some players feeling less than thrilled.
The original The Last of Us was remastered and released on PC as The Last of Us Part 1 back in 2022, and it was well-received. Now, Sony is set to follow up with The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, a game that was previously exclusive to PlayStation users and required a PS5 to play its remastered version. This move is exciting for many, but the PSN account requirement might dampen the enthusiasm for some.
The official Steam page for The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered clearly states that a PlayStation Network account is required to play the game, and players can link their existing PSN accounts to their Steam profiles. This detail, though easy to overlook, has been a point of contention. Fans have expressed dissatisfaction with similar requirements for other PlayStation games ported to PC. For instance, the backlash against the PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 was so significant that Sony removed it before implementing the update.
Sony's insistence on requiring a PSN account for PC ports seems to be a strategy to encourage more players to engage with their services. While this makes sense for games like Ghost of Tsushima, which require a PSN profile for multiplayer and the PlayStation overlay, it's less clear for a single-player game like The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. The game doesn't rely on network features or cross-play, making the requirement seem unusual. From a business perspective, it's a move to draw in players who don't yet own a PlayStation, but it's a bold choice given the past reactions to similar requirements.
Creating a PSN account is free, but the process of setting up or linking another profile can be a hassle for gamers eager to jump straight into the game. Additionally, the PlayStation Network isn't available in all countries, which could render the PC port inaccessible to some fans. Given that The Last of Us series is renowned for its commitment to gaming accessibility, this restriction might not sit well with everyone.