The Last of Us Part II Remastered's PC release on April 3, 2025, necessitates a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, sparking controversy among PC gamers. This requirement, also present in previous PC ports of PlayStation exclusives, forces players to create or link a PSN account to access the game, a move criticized by many.
While the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC is exciting, particularly given its previous PS5 exclusivity, the PSN account requirement dampens enthusiasm. The official Steam page explicitly states this need, allowing players to link existing PSN accounts. This detail, easily overlooked, is generating significant backlash, mirroring the negative response to similar requirements in past PlayStation PC ports. Last year, Sony even backtracked on a planned PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 due to strong player opposition.
Sony's rationale for this requirement remains unclear. While PSN accounts are justifiable for multiplayer games like Ghost of Tsushima (for online features and overlays), The Last of Us Part II is a single-player experience. The necessity of a PSN account for a single-player game is perplexing and suggests a strategic move to encourage PSN adoption among PC gamers, a decision that risks alienating potential buyers.
Although a basic PSN account is free, the added step of account creation or linking is inconvenient. Further, PSN's unavailability in certain regions creates a barrier to entry for some fans, contradicting the accessibility often associated with the Last of Us franchise. This restriction may prove particularly frustrating for players eager to immediately begin their gaming experience.
