The post-apocalyptic Oregon wilderness will be brought to vivid life once again as Sony officially announces the long-awaited Days Gone Remastered for PlayStation 5. After gaining a dedicated following that has grown steadily since its original 2021 release, Deacon St. John’s zombie-infested journey is being reimagined with cutting-edge graphics and substantial new content. Despite initial mixed reviews, the original Days Gone defied expectations by selling over 9 million copies worldwide, eventually earning cult classic status among PlayStation fans.
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This remastered edition represents Sony’s recognition of the game’s enduring appeal and the passionate community that has championed it through word-of-mouth and social media enthusiasm. The announcement comes during an already packed season for PS5 owners, with several high-profile titles scheduled for April 2025. For both newcomers and returning riders, the enhanced version promises to deliver the definitive Days Gone experience with technical improvements that fully leverage the PlayStation 5’s capabilities.
Days Gone Remastered: Complete PS5 Release Details and Exciting New Features
Sony’s Bend Studio is bringing their post-apocalyptic adventure back with significant enhancements as Days Gone Remastered arrives on PlayStation 5 on April 25, 2025. This definitive edition of the open-world zombie survival game will retail for $49.99, with owners of the original PS4 version eligible for a $9.99 upgrade path. The remaster breathes new life into Deacon St. John’s journey through zombie-infested Oregon with both technical improvements and substantial new content.
The original Days Gone developed a devoted following despite initial critical reception, eventually selling over 9 million copies worldwide. Players connected with the emotional story of Deacon searching for his wife Sarah amidst the ruins of civilization while navigating relationships with surviving factions and battling the ever-present threat of zombie “freakers.” This remastered version builds upon that foundation with enhanced graphics that showcase the game’s atmospheric open world with improved lighting, extended draw distances, and higher-resolution textures that take full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities.
Perhaps most exciting for fans are the new gameplay modes being introduced. The adrenaline-pumping “Horde Assault” dramatically increases enemy density throughout the world, with evolved freakers and hostile survivors spawning in relentless waves. Players can earn experience to unlock new playable characters, weapons, environmental traps, and unique consumables. For those seeking the ultimate challenge, the new permadeath mode features a one-life-only restriction where a single fatal mistake sends players back to the beginning, with global leaderboards tracking survival times.
Feature | Original Days Gone | Days Gone Remastered |
---|---|---|
Graphics | PS4-era visuals | Enhanced lighting, textures, draw distance |
Control Integration | Standard DualShock 4 | Full DualSense support with haptic feedback |
Game Modes | Standard campaign | Original + Horde Assault, Permadeath, Speedrun |
Story Content | Base narrative | Original + New story content |
Photo Mode | Basic functionality | Enhanced with new options |
Price | Varies (often discounted) | $49.99 (New) / $9.99 (Upgrade) |
Speed demons can test their skills in the new Speedrun mode, challenging players to complete the campaign in record time. This option caters to the growing speedrunning community and adds replay value for those who have already experienced Deacon’s story. All these modes are complemented by full DualSense controller integration, allowing players to feel every motorcycle rev and gunshot through the controller’s advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
Pre-orders are already available on the PlayStation Store, with early purchasers receiving special bonuses including exclusive motorcycle skins, weapon customizations, and early access to certain gameplay features. Sony’s decision to offer a $9.99 upgrade path for existing owners demonstrates goodwill toward the dedicated community that has supported the game since its original release.
While Sony hasn’t officially announced plans for a Days Gone sequel, this remastered edition with new story content suggests continued interest in the franchise. The original game’s creative director, Jeff Ross, has previously expressed disappointment that a sequel wasn’t greenlit despite strong sales, but this remaster may indicate Sony is reassessing the franchise’s future potential.
April 2025 is shaping up to be an exceptional month for PlayStation 5 owners. In addition to Days Gone Remastered, players can look forward to major releases including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 5, marking a significant moment for the platform as it enters its mature phase in the console lifecycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new gameplay features does Days Gone Remastered include compared to the original?
Days Gone Remastered introduces three significant new gameplay modes that substantially expand the original experience. The most intense addition is “Horde Assault,” which dramatically increases the frequency and size of freaker encounters throughout the open world, with evolved variants and human enemies appearing in endless waves. This mode features a progression system where players earn experience to unlock new playable characters, weapons, environmental traps, and consumables not available in the standard campaign.
For challenge seekers, the new permadeath mode implements a one-life restriction where death results in starting the entire game over, with global leaderboards tracking survival times. Speedrun mode caters to players who enjoy optimizing their gameplay, with timer systems and checkpoints designed for completing the story as quickly as possible. Beyond these modes, the remaster features comprehensive DualSense controller integration utilizing haptic feedback for motorcycle handling and adaptive triggers for weapons, creating a more immersive experience. The photo mode has also been enhanced with additional filters, poses, and environmental controls for capturing the beautifully rendered post-apocalyptic Oregon landscape.
Is the $9.99 upgrade path worth it for owners of the original Days Gone?
The $9.99 upgrade path represents exceptional value for existing Days Gone owners considering the extensive improvements and additions in the remastered version. Beyond the obvious graphical enhancements (improved lighting, extended draw distances, and higher-resolution textures), the upgrade includes three entirely new gameplay modes that substantially extend the game’s lifespan.
The addition of previously unreleased story content provides narrative insights that longtime fans will appreciate, while full DualSense implementation transforms the gameplay feel, particularly for motorcycle mechanics which form a core part of the experience. Performance improvements include stable 60fps gameplay and significantly reduced loading times compared to even the backward compatible version running on PS5. Unlike some remasters that offer merely cosmetic improvements, Days Gone Remastered delivers meaningful content and quality-of-life enhancements that justify the upgrade price.
Additionally, pre-ordering the upgrade provides exclusive cosmetic items and early access features not available through other means. For players who enjoyed the original game, the comprehensive nature of this remaster makes the $9.99 upgrade one of the more compelling remasters of this console generation.