Looking back, Days Gone might have gotten a little more hate than it deserved when it released in 2019. But with all the zombie fatigue lately from various shows, movies and even other games, it’s a really fine line to walk.
There are a few things in Days Gone Remastered to enjoy and appreciate, though. For one, it looks incredible. Even on the base PS5, it’s brimming with detail and with full DualSense support, a new Permadeath difficulty and a Horde Assault mode, it’s ultimately the best way to experience the game all these years later.
We’re not going to dive as deeply into the core experience, but focus more on the newer features and updates. You can check out our original Days Gone review here.
Ride or Die
Days Gone is ultimately the same game you played back in 2019. Now I don’t say that to write it off, but you’ll find the same story, open-world and general mechanics again here.
Players take on the role of Deacon St. John, a former biker gang member, who is fighting for his life in a new world overrun by what the game refers to as ‘Freakers’. Deacon has unfortunately lost his wife, Sarah, and must continue on in this new world with his remaining friends and allegiances. However, a series of events soon put him on a larger, grander path to discovering the origins of the virus that changed the state of the world.
Aside from a fantastic performance from actor Sam Witwer, Days Gone does rely on a bunch of existing tropes that take the emotional resonance and weight out of the story. When paired up with repetitive missions that involve hunting for supplies and taking out camps of enemies, things do feel a little stale before the credits roll. It’s not to say the story is bad, but in 2025, it certainly feels worn out.
Fight Back
Deacon can use a bunch of melee and ranged weapons to get the job done, fending off a range of Freaker and human enemies alike. Combat is relatively straightforward, but with a very limited amount of ammunition, you’ll find yourself whacking enemies with whatever you can find, for most of the time. Deacon can even collect scraps and resources to craft a range of helpful items, from bandages to Molotov cocktails.
Deacon must also manage his bike, which can be upgraded throughout the narrative. Regardless of your upgrades, you’ll need to keep it in good condition, repair it when damaged and even keep it topped up with fuel, a task which is easier said than done.
It all comes together to create a gameplay experience that feels competent and diverse, even if the repetitive mission structure lets it down a little, as you’ll begin to rely on the same weapons and tactics.
New Modes
Thankfully, Days Gone Remastered adds a few features to sweeten the deal. Firstly, players can jump into a new Permadeath playthrough, which essentially rolls the credits when you die. There’s even a new Horde Assault mode, which feels like a straightforward arcade-inspired survival mode where you have to fend off increasingly larger waves of enemies. If you’re just interested in playing through the main story, however, you can even bring across your old PS4 save if you want to pick up where you left off.
Regardless of the mode and difficulty setting, Days Gone Remastered provides full DualSense support with adaptive triggers and unique rumble prompts that only add to the immersion.
There’s even a bunch of customisable accessibility settings, which is always a welcome addition. Visually impaired players can adjust their overall game speed, turn on menu narration, and certain audio cues that prompt players when collectibles are nearby.
Look the Part
Days Gone Remastered simply looks fantastic. It’s about as good as I’ve seen a remastered game look visually, and even on the base PS5, things look sharp, detailed and vibrant. Things as minimal as facial hair now look dense and detailed, while lighting effects and draw distances have been given a huge boost to help with overall textures and prettier environments.
Players will also be able to choose from two gameplay modes: Quality mode and Performance mode. Quality mode essentially brings that 4K resolution for added detail, but drops the experience to 30 FPS.
Performance Mode bumps that frame rate to a solid 60 FPS, and while things feel much better gameplay-wise, it dips the resolution to 1440p. This is generally the way to go, as crazier action setpieces and encounters with hordes can cause the frame rate to dip, even in Quality mode, so you’re better off with those higher frame rates.
PS5 Pro users will get access to an Enhanced mode, which essentially bolsters the fancy lighting features, boosts the resolution and maintains a smoother frame rate. It’s the best way to play, but it’s not a dealbreaker to be playing this on a base console.
Final Thoughts
At its core, not much has changed elsewhere. Missions are still quite repetitive, and the story is, at times, a little weak, lacking the intended emotional punch.
But despite its flaws, Days Gone Remastered stands as the best way to play this game. Thanks to the new Permadeath difficulty and Horde Assault mode, there’s simply more to enjoy, and it just looks that much better on either a base PS5 or PS5 Pro.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Visually stunning; Deacon is a well-rounded and well-acted protagonist; New Horde Assault and Permadetah modes; Plenty of accessibility settings
Lowlights: Unoriginal and lacklustre story, and repetitive mission structure remain
Developer: SIE Bend Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 with a pre-release code provided by the publisher.
