Sony’s surprise announcement of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has left many scratching their heads. This isn’t a simple visual upgrade for an older game, especially considering the original Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition still holds up well visually. In fact, the Complete Edition was one of the first major PlayStation exclusives to make its way to PC, boasting enhanced graphics and detail compared to the PS4 version. But now, Sony has chosen to pull the Complete Edition from digital stores, leaving players with a choice: buy the new Remastered version, which comes with a hefty price tag, or miss out entirely.
While the Remastered edition does offer visual enhancements that bring it in line with its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, including re-recorded voice acting, revamped character models, and numerous graphical improvements, the decision to make it PSN-dependent has sparked controversy. This isn’t the first time Sony has implemented a PSN requirement for a PC port, as the popular multiplayer game Helldivers also faced similar restrictions. The move has left many gamers in regions without PSN access feeling excluded.
The fact that the original Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition is no longer available for purchase makes this situation even more perplexing. Players who enjoyed the original game on PC are now faced with either buying the new, more expensive Remastered version or missing out entirely.
While existing owners of the Complete Edition can upgrade to the Remastered version for a discounted price of $10, the PSN requirement remains a hurdle for many. The question remains: is Sony’s strategy of making their PC ports dependent on a PlayStation account a sign of things to come? Only time will tell, but the move has definitely caused ripples in the gaming community.
