Summary
- Playing The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC requires a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, a decision causing some player frustration.
- The game's PC release is set for April 3, 2025.
When The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrives on PC later this year, a PlayStation Network account will be mandatory. This continues a trend from Sony, sparking controversy surrounding their PC ports of previously PlayStation-exclusive titles. While making beloved games like The Last of Us Part II Remastered accessible to Steam users is a positive step, the PSN account requirement has drawn criticism.
The Last of Us Part I, remastered and released as The Last of Us Part I, launched on PC in 2022. Following this successful release, Sony brings The Last of Us Part II to PC on April 3, 2025. This is exciting news for fans, as the award-winning sequel was previously exclusive to PlayStation consoles and its remaster required a PS5. However, the PSN account requirement dampens enthusiasm for some.
The official Steam page for The Last of Us Part II Remastered clearly states the need for a PSN account. Players can link existing PSN accounts to their Steam profiles. While seemingly a small detail, this requirement is controversial. Negative player reactions to similar requirements in previous PlayStation PC ports are well-documented. Last year, the backlash against a PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 was so significant that Sony removed it before the update even launched.
Sony's Continued Push for PSN Account Creation Among PC Gamers
Requiring a PSN account is understandable in some contexts. For instance, the PC port of Ghost of Tsushima requires a PSN profile for multiplayer or to use the PlayStation overlay. However, The Last of Us Part II is a single-player game. Network features and cross-play aren't relevant, making the PSN requirement seem unusual. It's likely a strategy to encourage players without a PlayStation to utilize Sony's services. While a sound business decision, this approach is risky given past player responses.
While a basic PSN account is free, creating or linking an additional profile adds inconvenience. The PlayStation Network isn't available globally, potentially preventing some fans from playing the PC port. Considering The Last of Us franchise's focus on accessibility, this restriction is particularly jarring to some players.
