So, you’ve heard the whispers, felt the rumble of a distant horde, and now the Days Gone PS5 Remastered is roaring onto the scene. But is this merely a fresh coat of paint on a beloved PS4 classic, or is it a genuine upgrade that makes Deacon St. John’s harrowing journey through a post-apocalyptic Oregon an entirely new beast on the PS5?
We’re diving deep into this remaster, scrutinizing everything from the transformative lighting and enhanced graphical fidelity on PS5 consoles (including a look at the PS5 Pro benefits) to the brutal new gameplay modes like horde assault and the nail-biting permadeath mode.
Sony and Bend Studio promise an enhanced Days Gone experience, and we’re here to see if they deliver, transforming the original game into something that feels fresh, dangerous, and utterly compelling on the PlayStation 5.
Get ready to kickstart your bike and face the Freakers all over again, or perhaps for the very first time, in what aims to be the definitive version of this open-world epic.
01
of 06The Allure of the Broken Road: Why Days Gone Demanded a PS5 Remaster
Let’s be frank. The original Days Gone was a title that, for many, grew in stature over time. It was an ambitious open-world adventure that threw you, as biker Deacon St. John, into a beautifully desolate Oregon teeming with Freakers – not just your run-of-the-mill zombie enemies, but a terrifying, swarming ecosystem.
The promise of navigating this dangerous world on your trusty drifter bike, battling not just the infected but desperate human factions, and uncovering a compelling story was immense.
However, the PS4, bless its silicon heart, had its limits. While Bend Studio pushed the hardware hard, delivering those incredible horde encounters, there was always a sense that the full vision was perhaps constrained.
Now, with the power of the PS5 and even the upcoming PS5 Pro, the opportunity to truly enhance the Days Gone experience was too good to pass up.
This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about unlocking the game’s inherent potential, refining its strengths, and addressing areas where the original could be elevated.
A remaster allows for more than just a visual touch-up; it’s a chance to revisit the core gameplay, improve performance, and add content that deepens the post-apocalyptic immersion for both returning players and newcomers eager to see what all the fuss is about on their shiny PS5 consoles. The call for a Days Gone remastered version was strong, and Sony listened.
02
of 06Beyond a Resolution Bump: Unpacking the Days Gone Remastered Visual Enhancements on PS5
When you hear “remaster,” it’s easy to think of a simple resolution increase and a smoother framerate. But let me tell you, the Days Gone PS5 Remastered goes significantly further, aiming to transform the very atmosphere of the gameplay.
The most striking change? The overhauled lighting. The original game, particularly its nighttime scenes, often felt brighter than you’d expect in a world plunged into darkness. This PS5 remaster takes a bold step towards realism.
Night now feels like night. Deep, oppressive blacks contrast sharply with the piercing beam of your bike’s headlight, making those rides through Freaker territory significantly more menacing. This improved lighting quality isn’t just for show; it fundamentally enhances the horror aspect of the Days Gone experience.
Shadows are deeper, more defined, and the overall graphical presentation feels more “filmic”1. Safe zones, despite artificial lights, appear darker, and the night sky boasts more visible stars, really selling that post-apocalyptic vibe.
While the original game looked good, this remaster pushes the lighting system to new heights, making the already beautiful open world of Oregon even more immersive on your PS5. You’ll also notice improved foliage and texture resolution, adding another layer of detail to Deacon’s world.
03
of 06New Ways to Die (and Survive!): Exploring Fresh Gameplay Modes – Horde Assault, Permadeath, and Speedrun
Beyond the impressive visual upgrade, Days Gone Remastered for the PS5 injects a serious dose of new gameplay challenges that will test even seasoned veterans.
Bend Studio hasn’t just polished the original game; they’ve expanded it with modes designed to push your survival skills to the absolute limit. First up is the exhilarating Horde Assault mode.
This isn’t just about facing a horde; it’s a survival arcade mode where you battle ever-escalating waves of Freakers, Breakers, Reachers, and even Rager bears, with increased horde sizes to truly make you sweat. Think of it as an endless gameplay mode designed to showcase the terrifying core of Days Gone – those massive, swarming enemies.
Then, for the truly hardcore drifter, there’s the Permadeath mode. Yes, you read that right. One death as Deacon, and it’s back to the beginning of the game or chapter, depending on your initial choice.
This mode transforms the already tense Days Gone experience into a truly nerve-wracking fight for survival, where every decision, every bullet, and every encounter with a Freaker carries immense weight.
And if speed is your game, the new Speedrun mode lets you blast through the campaign as quickly as possible, competing for the best time on a final rating. These new gameplay modes significantly enhance replayability, offering fresh ways to engage with the post-apocalyptic open world long after the main story is complete. This means more reasons to hop on your motorcycle and brave the dangers of Oregon.
04
of 06The PS5 Advantage: How Sony’s Hardware Elevates the Days Gone Experience
The leap to the PlayStation 5 isn’t just about prettier pictures and new modes for Days Gone Remastered; it’s about how Sony’s powerful console fundamentally enhances the moment-to-moment gameplay and overall Days Gone experience.
One of the most immediate benefits you’ll notice is the performance. While the PS4 version running on PS5 via backward compatibility offered a taste of smoother framerates, the native PS5 code aims for a consistently locked 60fps during open-world traversal, ironing out those little hitches that could occasionally mar the original release.
This means a smoother, more responsive feel as you navigate the treacherous roads on your bike or engage in frantic combat with a horde.
Loading times have also seen improvement. While perhaps not the “lightning-quick storage-to-pixels response” of some current-gen exclusives, getting into the game is notably faster than the PS4 version, shaving off precious seconds.
Once you’re in, the open-world experience is largely free of loading, barring fast travel or cutscene transitions. Furthermore, the PS5 remaster leverages the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, allowing you to feel the rumble of your bike’s engine or the tension of your bowstring, adding another layer of immersion to Deacon’s struggle.
Add to this support for Tempest 3D Audio, which can provide crucial audio cues for approaching Freakers, and new accessibility features like an FOV slider, and it’s clear the PS5 consoles deliver a more refined and engaging way to play Days Gone.
05
of 06Is This PS5 Remaster the Sequel We Never Got? Weighing the Value for Veterans and Newcomers
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? With no official sequel on the horizon, many fans are looking to Days Gone Remastered on the PS5 to scratch that itch for more from Bend Studio’s post-apocalyptic open world.
While it’s not a Days Gone 2, this remaster does offer a significantly enhanced package that might just feel like the next best thing for some, and an incredible entry point for others.
For veterans of the original game, the overhauled lighting, new gameplay modes like Horde Assault and Permadeath mode, and smoother performance offer compelling reasons to revisit Oregon. The improved shadow and lighting quality alone can make familiar areas feel new and more dangerous.
For newcomers, this PS5 remaster presents the definitive version of Days Gone.
You’re getting the complete Days Gone experience with all the technical enhancements and additional content from day one.
The improved graphical fidelity, including options for a performance mode (aiming for 60fps) and a quality mode (prioritizing visuals, though potentially at 30fps or with a 40fps target in future patches), allows players to tailor their playing experience.
The core gameplay loop of scavenging, crafting, fighting Freakers and hostile humans, and upgrading your bike remains as addictive as ever. While some might lament that resources weren’t spent on a full remake or a direct sequel, the $10 asking price for owners of the PS4 version makes this upgrade an incredibly attractive proposition1. It’s a chance to re-experience a great game at its best or discover its grim beauty for the first time on the PlayStation 5.
06
of 06The Nitty-Gritty: PS5 Pro Enhancements, Performance, and That $10 Upgrade Path
Alright, let’s talk specifics because, as any discerning gamer knows, the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to a remaster like Days Gone PS5 Remastered.
For those rocking a standard PS5, you’re looking at a significant visual and performance upgrade over the PS4 original game. The overhauled lighting is a game-changer, and the target of a smoother 60fps in performance mode makes gameplay feel incredibly fluid.
However, it’s worth noting that on the base PS5, the remaster might run at 1440p without upscaling, while the original PS4 code on PS5 used checkerboard rendering to hit 4K, leading to some debate about ultimate image clarity.
Now, for those eyeing the PS5 Pro, Days Gone Remastered promises even more. The PS5 Pro version aims for a higher resolution, potentially around 1800p, offering a crisper image than the base PS5 while still benefiting from the new lighting system and performance enhancements.
Both PS5 consoles will benefit from VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) if your display supports it, smoothing out any potential frame drops, especially during those intense horde encounters.
And let’s not forget one of the most compelling arguments for this upgrade: the price. For existing owners of Days Gone on PS4 (and even PC players for the Broken Road DLC which includes the new modes), the remastered features or new modes often come at a very reasonable $10 asking price.
This makes jumping back on your drifter bike for an enhanced Days Gone experience, with its improved lighting quality, new gameplay modes like the new horde assault mode or survival arcade mode, and better overall performance, an incredibly tempting offer from Sony and Bend Studio.
The value proposition, especially for returning players, is hard to beat. You get a significantly polished post-apocalyptic open-world adventure for a fraction of a new game’s cost.
The remaster also includes an updated photo mode with more customization, perfect for capturing those stunning, if terrifying, screenshots of the Freaker-infested wilderness or your souped-up motorcycle.
While it’s not a full-blown sequel, the Days Gone PS5 remaster packs enough improvements and new content to feel like a substantial evolution of the original game.
The journey through the wasteland of Days Gone PS5 Remastered is more than just a re-tread; it’s a testament to how a remaster, when done with care and attention to what made the original game special, can breathe new life into a deserving title.
The overhauled lighting doesn’t just make the game look better; it fundamentally alters the mood, leaning into the horror that was always lurking beneath the surface.
The improved shadow and lighting quality work in tandem with the PS5’s power to deliver a more immersive and believable post-apocalyptic setting. Whether you’re a seasoned biker who knows every backroad of Oregon or a fresh face ready to take on the Freaker menace for the first time, this PS5 remaster offers the most complete and compelling version of the Days Gone experience.
The addition of challenging new modes like the Permadeath mode and the relentless Horde Assault mode provide significant replay value, ensuring that even after the credits roll, the fight for survival continues.
Considering the enhanced graphical fidelity, the smoother gameplay targeting 60fps, the faster (though not instant) loading times, and the thoughtful upgrade path for existing owners, Bend Studio and Sony have crafted a PS5 release that respects the original game while pushing it forward.
The PS5 consoles, including the anticipated benefits for the PS5 Pro, provide the ideal platform for Deacon St. John’s gritty tale.
While it may not be the full-fledged sequel many hoped for, Days Gone Remastered stands tall as a shining example of how to revisit a beloved game, making it an essential addition to any PlayStation 5 library, especially for fans of open-world adventures and gripping zombie (or rather, Freaker) narratives.
So, gear up, check your fuel, and prepare to ride into a beautifully dangerous world, enhanced and revitalized for a new generation of survival. The lighting alone is worth the price of admission.
