The Last of Us Part II Remastered's PC release on April 3rd, 2025, necessitates a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, sparking controversy among potential players. This requirement, mirroring Sony's approach with other PC ports of formerly PlayStation-exclusive titles, has drawn criticism. While making beloved games like The Last of Us Part II accessible to Steam users is a positive step, the mandatory PSN account is proving unpopular.
The Last of Us Part I's successful PC port in 2022 paved the way for this sequel's arrival. The remastered Part II, previously exclusive to PlayStation consoles (requiring a PS5 for the remaster), is now coming to PC. However, the PSN account requirement, clearly stated on the Steam page, is a potential deal-breaker for many. Previous instances of this requirement in other PlayStation PC ports have resulted in significant backlash, notably leading Sony to remove the PSN requirement from Helldivers 2 before launch.
Sony's Strategy: Expanding PSN Reach
While a PSN account is understandable for games with multiplayer or PlayStation overlay features (like Ghost of Tsushima), its necessity for a single-player game like The Last of Us Part II is questionable. This likely reflects Sony's strategy to encourage PC gamers to engage with their services, a reasonable business goal, but a risky one given past negative reactions.
Although a basic PSN account is free, the added step of account creation or linking is inconvenient. Furthermore, PSN's unavailability in certain regions creates a barrier for some players, contradicting the accessibility often associated with the Last of Us franchise. This restriction could alienate a segment of the fanbase.
