Days Gone Remastered Review – Reinvigorated at Last

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Initially released in 2019, the game “Days Gone” didn’t garner the usual critical acclaim that Sony’s first-party games typically receive. Controversial within PlayStation’s recent lineup, the reviews for “Days Gone” were mixed, highlighting technical glitches, pacing problems, and a world that seemed too similar to its contemporaries. However, it had an allure that drew in numerous players who appreciated what it offered. Remarkably, by February 2022, “Days Gone” had sold over 7.32 million units, surpassing the sales of some of Sony’s more popular first-party exclusives. In a quiet fashion, it transformed into a cult classic, cherished for its captivating world setting, a moderately likable protagonist, and an engaging storyline that culminated in a thought-provoking yet largely unresolved climax.

Although the game has enjoyed impressive sales and received adoration from players, Sony’s handling of the intellectual property has left many questioning their approach. Apart from releasing a high-quality PC version in 2021 and now a PS5 remaster, there have been few updates regarding a possible sequel from Sony, the tech giant based in Japan. It seems as though Sony is uncertain about how to proceed with this series, despite the obvious desire among fans for Deacon’s return to conclude the storyline.

With the game receiving a new look on Sony’s latest and upgraded consoles, the PS5 and PS5 Pro, we wonder if Days Gone Remastered lives up to expectations after all this time. Can it truly shine at its best now? Let’s explore.

If you’re not completely isolated, it’s likely that you’ve heard about the story of Days Gone by this point.

If you haven’t been isolated in some remote location, it’s widely known that the tale of Days Gone has become quite public knowledge. However, for those who might be out of the loop, I’ll provide a brief summary. You assume the role of Deacon, a nomadic biker who has survived the Freaker infestation but unfortunately lost touch with his wife, Sarah, during the initial outbreak chaos. Being the resilient character he is, Deacon clings to hope that she isn’t deceased. His quest to find her takes him through numerous obstacles, treacherous landscapes, and encounters a diverse array of individuals – from intriguing to downright dull.

What immediately catches your attention is Deacon’s tendency to speak aloud, which can sometimes enhance the eerie atmosphere while riding a bike, yet at other times feels excessively repetitive. While Deacon’s soliloquies may not necessarily be the issue, the real concern lies with the inconsistent tempo of the storyline. The beginning of the narrative moves at an almost glacial pace, meticulously establishing the foundations, and it isn’t until halfway through that the plot really picks up speed, providing the dramatic moments and crucial plot points we were eagerly anticipating.

Regrettably, Days Gone Remastered fails to resolve the pacing issues found in its original version, but the underlying narrative structure remains unaltered. If you can endure the initial stages, the reward is indeed commendable. However, upon reaching the conclusion, the game may leave you with more questions than answers, suggesting that there’s potential for a sequel yet to be explored.

As a fan myself, I can confidently say that just as in the original game, it’s the freaker hordes that truly shine in Days Gone Remastered. With numerous colossal hordes to confront, each encounter requires meticulous planning, concentration, arming myself with top-tier weapons, concocting explosives, and strategically setting traps and mines. Even six years after its release, the adrenaline rush of battling these massive swarms in 2025 remains just as exhilarating and never grows old. Although wildlife and human adversaries add a touch of variety and complexity to the gameplay, their AI could still use some improvement, making the freaker hordes the undeniable centerpiece of the experience.

One standout aspect of this game is its captivating world, which boasts haunting forests, decaying homes, and deserted industrial sites.

In Days Gone Remastered, the fight scenes maintain their appeal surprisingly effectively. Given its inspiration from The Last of Us, it’s expected that it would hold up well even after several years. Most firearms in this game offer a strong impact, providing a sense of fulfillment with each enemy confrontation. However, the melee combat, although workable, seems to lack that satisfying ‘crunch’. To clarify, it performs its function adequately but fails to convey much weight. Nevertheless, the third-person combat remains robust, and the diverse array of weapons makes exploration enjoyable. Whether you’re unleashing a hail of bullets on the horde from afar with an assault rifle or getting up close and personal with a handgun, there’s enough diversity to keep combat engaging throughout your playthrough.

One key aspect that sets this game apart is its compelling world design, marked by haunting forests, decayed homes, and deserted factories. The diverse terrains are skillfully crafted to reinforce the eerie ambiance of a post-apocalyptic setting. Deacon’s motorbike serves as a pivotal element in this universe, functioning as your primary weapon. Fortunately, there’s a wealth of customization choices available to transform it into a formidable machine. Balancing fuel levels, upgrading various components, and maintaining its peak performance are all integral parts of the game’s engaging survival mechanics.

As I, the player, journey through the game, Deacon’s abilities evolve too, granting me essential upgrades that become pivotal, particularly when confronting the massive swarms of enemies towards the latter stages.

In addition to improved frame rates and higher resolution, the PlayStation 5 edition subtly yet significantly improves the original game’s graphics as well.

After covering the fundamentals, let’s discuss the enhanced version of Days Gone – the remastered edition. The updated version showcases significant enhancements in terms of technology and graphics. We tested the game on the standard PS5, and it provides two visual settings: Performance, aiming for a resolution of 1440p at 60 frames per second, and Quality, running the game natively in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. Both modes run smoothly, but I found myself preferring the Performance Mode because of its consistent 60FPS, which made traversing the game’s open world and fighting hordes feel more fluid. For reference, the PS4 Pro utilized checkerboarded 4K at 30FPS, while the standard PS4 ran at native 1080p and 30FPS. Upgrading to a clearer, visually stunning experience on PS5 is a definite improvement in my opinion.

In addition to higher frame rates and sharper resolution, the PS5 edition offers refined visual enhancements that subtly yet significantly improve the original’s appearance. This includes a revamped atmospheric and sky simulation for a more authentic sun and sky look, superior lighting and shadow effects, enhanced ambient occlusion, and extended draw distance for foliage. Although these changes might seem insignificant individually, they collectively give the game a more vibrant and lifelike visual appeal.

The load times in this game are quicker than the original version, yet they don’t vanish completely like some contemporary games from the last few years. This game leverages the DualSense controller of the PS5, offering haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that are particularly distinct when you switch weapons. The integration is satisfactory, with variations between different weapons, but it’s an added bonus that enhances the overall gaming experience.

In this remaster, the Horde Assault mode stands out as a fantastic innovation that significantly enhances the enjoyment provided by the game, Days Gone.

On PlayStation 5, the remastered version of “Days Gone” offers three fresh gaming experiences: Speedrun, Permadeath, and Horde Assault. In Speedrun mode, players aim to finish the story as quickly as possible, with the game clock halting during cutscenes for a level playing field. The Permadeath mode ramps up the difficulty significantly; if you meet your end once, it’s game over. Given the challenging nature of “Days Gone,” especially in its later stages when larger hordes and tougher encounters emerge, these modes provide an authentic test for players seeking a rigorous trial of perseverance and patience.

Undeniably, the standout novelty is Horde Assault, a mode that amplifies what made Days Gone captivating – gigantic hordes of freakers. This mode takes things to another level with even bigger swarms. As you navigate through various maps, waves of progressively larger hordes assault you. The longer you survive, the more XP you earn, which in turn unlocks unique “Injectors”. Some Injectors can aid or impede your gameplay; for instance, one causes freakers to explode upon death, offering an advantage but also posing a risk if you’re nearby, while others, like the maximum enemy aggression option, make the game even more challenging. As you advance, you’ll unlock cosmetics and additional Injectors to tailor your experience. Horde Assault is an intense mode where you’re perpetually on the move, with no time for respite as you mow down hordes of freakers. This exciting new feature significantly enhances the Days Gone experience.

In the revamped version, familiar obstacles from the original game resurface, placing players in diverse situations such as stealth attacks, time-limited bike chases, or eliminating a specified number of adversaries – all reminiscent of specific narrative sequences. These challenges offer an exhilarating gaming experience that cater particularly well to those seeking thrilling missions post-story completion.

At present, it has solidified its position as one of the top-tier games in Sony’s PlayStation collection.

Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s clear that “Days Gone” has certain problems that even a remaster can’t entirely resolve. Issues such as inconsistent storytelling, uninteresting NPCs, and AI that doesn’t always behave consistently still persist. Yet, there’s an abundance of reasons to appreciate this game in 2025. The enhanced visuals, coupled with exciting new modes like Speedrun, Permadeath, and Horde Assault, offer a thrilling challenge for those who relish a tough playthrough. Whether the remaster was essential or if Sony could have merely added fresh content to the PS4 and PC versions is a debate for another time. However, it’s undeniable that this remastered edition offers an exceptional gaming experience overall.

The enhanced version of Days Gone, titled Days Gone Remastered, showcases a game that initially had a rocky debut but significantly improved over time through post-launch patches and updates, excelled further with an exceptional PC port, and now gleams even more on the PS5. Currently, it stands as one of PlayStation’s finest titles. Regrettably, Sony appears uninterested in exploring much more with the IP at present. Could a Days Gone 2 be in our future? We’ll have to wait and see.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-04-27 16:42