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 previous PC ports of PlayStation exclusives, has drawn criticism. While making beloved titles accessible to Steam users is positive, the mandatory PSN account is a point of contention.
The Last of Us Part I's successful PC launch in 2022 paved the way for this sequel's arrival. The award-winning Part II, previously exclusive to PlayStation consoles (requiring a PS5 for the remaster), is now coming to PC. However, the PSN account mandate could dampen enthusiasm for some.
The Steam page clearly states the PSN account requirement, allowing players to link existing accounts. This easily overlooked detail is generating backlash, similar to the reaction to previous PlayStation PC ports. Last year, Sony even backtracked on a similar requirement for Helldivers 2 due to intense negative feedback.
Sony's Strategy: Expanding PSN Reach
While PSN accounts are understandable for games with multiplayer or PlayStation overlay features (like Ghost of Tsushima), their necessity for the single-player Last of Us Part II is questionable. The likely motive is to encourage PSN adoption among PC gamers, a business-driven decision that risks alienating players given past negative experiences.
Although a basic PSN account is free, the added step of account creation or linking is inconvenient. Furthermore, PSN's unavailability in certain regions could prevent some fans from playing the PC port. This restriction clashes with the accessibility focus often associated with the Last of Us franchise, potentially causing further frustration.
