Days Gone Remastered – Everything You Need to Know

Approximately six years have passed since Bend Studio’s “Days Gone” was released for the PS4. Initially, critical reviews weren’t favorable, but the action-adventure game has gone on to sell millions of copies and garner a dedicated fanbase. Although PC players were able to play it in 2021, there is still a strong demand from fans for a sequel, despite slim chances.

Looking at the positive aspect, it’s now moving the game to PS5 with Days Gone Remastered. This release is scheduled for April 25th and brings new modes, enhancements, exclusive features for PS5, and a lot more. For PC gamers, they can access the content through a separate paid DLC called Broken Roads, which will be available on the same day. Let’s dive into 15 key points about the remaster, whether you’re playing Days Gone for the first time or upgrading from PS4.

Setting

In Oregon, following a zombie apocalypse (which later came to be known as Freakers), the story of Days Gone primarily unfolds two years after the outbreak. The main character, Deacon St. John, has transformed into a mercenary in this post-apocalyptic world. Amidst various factions, some hostile like the Rippers, Deacon’s tasks are not only about surviving but also finding his missing wife, Sarah, who might still be alive.

Open World Design

The expansive world of Days Gone is captivating due to its familiar elements such as enemy encampments, rewards for bounties, NERO checkpoints, Freaker hideouts, faction assignments, and many other features. What sets it apart is the stunning Pacific Northwest landscape, filled with broad vistas and vast road networks. Luckily, Deacon, a former biker gang member, has his motorbike to explore this untamed wilderness.

Bike Management and Other Survival Elements

In the gameplay, keeping your bike in good condition is another key aspect. This involves regular repairs and refueling, as well as making improvements that enhance durability, lower noise, boost ammo capacity, and even offer a speed advantage through nitrous.

Freaker Types and Other Enemies

The Freakers stand out due to their massive numbers, as they can swarm you like a tide, even piling on top of each other during an attack. Besides standard Freakers, there are Swarmers that hunt in packs at night, Newts with predatory instincts, Screamers who signal the horde, the robust Breakers, and many more variations.

In addition to regular types such as Bleachers and Reachers, you may also come across tougher versions of these, boasting higher health and dishing out more damage. To make matters worse, contaminated animals and other people increase the overall peril.

Combat

There are numerous ways to protect yourself, such as utilizing firearms like submachine guns, pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, machine guns, assault rifles, and others. Additionally, you can arm yourself with melee weapons such as axes, bats, or machetes, which conserve ammunition and generate less noise. You may carry up to four weapons at once, although other options like Molotov cocktails, proximity mines, pipe bombs, and the like are also accessible.

As a stealthy gamer, I often find myself weighing the options between going loud and attracting attention or slipping past unaware enemies silently. One tactic that’s proven effective is using a knife to carry out quiet assassinations. Later on, you’ll have access to suppressors for firearms and even crossbows, making it possible to engage in even stealthier combat.

Post-Launch Updates

Initially when Days Gone was first released, it had room for improvement in terms of polish and technical aspects. However, fortunately for fans, Bend Studio continued to support the game post-launch extensively. These updates are incorporated into the remastered version, offering features such as the ability to reset Ambush Camps, Hordes, and Infestation Zones; weekly DLC challenges; New Game Plus; Survival difficulty level, followed by Hard 2 and Survival 2, among other additional content.

Horde Assault

In Days Gone Remastered, the major novelty is a mode called Horde Assault. This is labeled as a “survival arcade mode,” where players engage in battles across an evolving environment filled with larger hordes and tougher adversaries. The longer you manage to survive, the more difficult opponents you’ll face, but as you level up, you’ll receive better equipment as rewards. This new experience offers unique challenges for veteran gamers, and it also brings perks like new playable characters, Injectors, and updates.

Speedrun Mode

Have you taken on Story Mode in Days Gone numerous times? But have you ever tried completing it as quickly as possible? That’s where Speedrun Mode comes into play, testing your skills by requiring you to finish the story in record time. If the Speedrun Mode from The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 Remastered is any indication, there should be a built-in timer within the game and a means to verify legitimate times.

Permadeath

Instead of skipping the game entirely, why not give it a shot and strive to finish it without losing a life using Permadeath mode? For an extra tough test (and a dose of intense frustration), opt for playing at Hard 2 or Survival 2 levels. There may not be any actual prizes for completing it, but the pride in boasting about your achievement is its own reward.

Enhanced Photo Mode

Instead of facing the challenges of surviving during a zombie apocalypse, wouldn’t it be more captivating to snap stunning photos of breathtaking Oregon landscapes? Whether it’s the vast forests, towering mountain peaks, or the chilling swarms of Freakers hungry for your blood, this remastered version brings some improvements to the Photo Mode. Although adding new logos may not seem thrilling, you can now adjust the time of day and utilize a three-point lighting system to perfectly capture the desired ambiance.

Reduced Loading Times

Due to the PS5’s solid-state drive, you’ll experience shorter load times, which translates to less time wasted on fast traveling, respawning, or booting up the game. Compared to the PS4, it promises a significant improvement. Additionally, it’s expected to outperform the loading times associated with backwards compatibility, reducing wait times almost by half (approximately 30 seconds).

Graphical Improvements

Enthusiasts will delight in enhanced visuals, noticeably better shadow and lighting effects, extended foliage distances, and making full use of the additional power at their disposal. For those utilizing compatible screens, Variable Refresh Rate is an option to explore. The game offers Quality Mode and Performance Mode, sparking interest in how this remaster measures up against the original PC version’s graphics. While PlayStation 5 Pro support has been confirmed, Bend Studio has not yet disclosed any exclusive enhancements for it.

DualSense Support

In simple terms, both the Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback on the DualSense controller are compatible. They each contribute uniquely to enhancing immersion in the game. The Adaptive Triggers offer varying sensations and resistance based on the weapon you’re using, while the Haptic Feedback mimics various in-game occurrences like engine sounds or different road textures by vibrating.

Pricing and Pre-order Bonuses

In “Days Gone Remastered,” priced at $49.99, you can get additional benefits if you pre-order. These perks include eight custom PSN avatars, along with early access to various items, upgrades, and skills. Here’s a breakdown:

1. The Drifter Crossbow, which enhances your combat capabilities.
2. Shroud Upgrade 1, boosting your bike’s overall resilience.
3. Nitrous Upgrade 1, for enhanced speed and increased durability.
4. Gas Tank Upgrade 1, providing a slight increase in fuel capacity.
5. The Monkey Wrench Skill, improving the efficiency of scrap used for bike repairs.

Pre-ordering simply allows you to unlock these perks early, making your initial playthrough a bit smoother and more enjoyable.

$10 Upgrade for PS4 Owners

Just like other remakes from Sony, if you already own the original version on PlayStation 4, you can upgrade to the remaster for only $10. Given the addition of new game modes, it’s quite a reasonable offer, particularly if you are a fan of Days Gone.

2025-04-04 14:16

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