Days Gone Remastered [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Days Gone launched in 2019 to a mix of praise and disappointment, largely due to technical issues and a slow-burning narrative, but over time, it gathered a loyal fanbase and found its footing – through patches, updates, and a growing appreciation for its ambitious design. Now, Days Gone Remastered on the PlayStation 5 arrives as a definitive edition, not just fixing what once held it back, but celebrating what made it special in the first place.

Check out some screenshots down below:

This remaster doesn’t try to reinvent Days Gone in any shape or form, but polishes it to a fine sheen to ensure that it’s the best way to experience Bend Studio’s open-world adventure. Visually, the game looks superb, with the enhanced textures, longer draw distances, and improved lighting helping bring this post-apocalyptic Oregon to life in ways that finally match the ambition of its world design. The original release on the PlayStation 4 looked great, but everything looks better and plays smoother than ever here.

DualSense integration is also part of the package, though the results are admittedly a little bit mixed. Haptic feedback adds a nice layer of immersion – especially while riding Deacon’s motorcycle through bumpy terrain, which was some of my favourite use of the controller since Astro Bot. However, the adaptive triggers, particularly when accelerating on the bike, can feel a little jarring at times, especially on those longer journeys across Oregon where you might stop-and-start on the regular to soak in the sights of the world or scavenge for goodies.

At its core, Days Gone Remastered is still the same tale of survival, loss, and loyalty that players might have experienced back in 2019. You play as Deacon St. John, a biker-turned-drifter navigating the collapse of society while haunted by the death of his wife. It’s a slow burn, no doubt – the opening hours can drag with seemingly little in the way of attention-grabbing progress – but those who stick with it are rewarded with a story that deepens in emotional complexity and continually ups the stakes. Strong performances from Sam Witwer and the supporting cast (especially Boozer who still stands out as my favourite character) all add to the cinematic presence of the storytelling and make each interaction all the more engaging. If we’re being honest, thematically, Days Gone doesn’t break new ground in the post-apocalyptic genre of storytelling, but its commitment to its characters and world give it a unique charm that makes it easy to invest in.

“Days Gone Remastered doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it absolutely gives this once-overlooked open-world adventure the upgrade it’s always deserved.”

Mechanically, Days Gone Remastered feels as solid as ever, and in many ways, more refined than before – even if it doesn’t change up the core mechanics in any substantial manner. Combat is a satisfying mix of stealth, ranged shooting, and melee brawls, with plenty of variety to ensure it remains engaging across the meaty adventure. Switching weapons and crafting items on the fly is intuitive and quick, whilst the sense of unease as you navigate a world full of unpredictable threats remains one of the game’s strongest features. One moment you’re looting an abandoned gas station, and the next, you’re being hunted by a freaker (this game’s take on zombies) horde that fills the screen with overwhelming force.

Those hordes remain the absolute standout feature of Days Gone – terrifying, dynamic, and, at times, simply exhilarating. They’re not just obstacles but full-blown set pieces that force you to think fast and use the environment to survive, with each putting you into drastic scenarios where your fight-or-flight instincts are continually tested (and often punished if you make the wrong choice). With the remaster’s improved visuals and frame rate, these encounters are more intense and cinematic than ever before, and honestly? They make for some of the most hectic and intense experiences I’ve had in any game… they’re THAT cool.

Deacon’s motorcycle plays a crucial role in exploration and survival too, with fuel management and bike maintenance introducing a layer of tension that few other open-world games match. It’s more than just transport – it’s your lifeline, and if you don’t look after your motorcycle, you’ll find that things can go wayward fast. It might sound like it can be tedious, but honestly, it all fits in naturally within the world and adds a sense of realism to your journey that up the stakes in a satisfying manner.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Days Gone Remastered isn’t just a prettier version of the same game – it also brings new modes and features that extend its replayability. Horde Assault is the most notable addition, dropping players into increasingly chaotic battles against massive freaker hordes and forcing players to fight for survival. It’s a pure survival challenge that leans into the game’s most thrilling combat mechanic, pushing players to hone their tactics and aim for high scores. It’s a smart and engaging use of the game’s strengths and a welcome bit of arcade-style fun (and, if I’m being honest, a bit of a surprise omission from the original game).

There’s also Permadeath mode for those seeking the ultimate test, offering a nerve-wracking one-life-only journey through the campaign. I NEVER play game modes like this, but I’m sure there are some masochistic gamers out there who enjoy the challenge, right? The updated photo mode and added Speedrun option give even more incentive to revisit the game from new angles, whilst  accessibility settings have been introduced to tailor the experience to different needs – it’s something a lot of gamers will probably never look at, but it’s easy to appreciate the effort that has been made to ensure that Days Gone Remastered is accessible to more players than ever before.

Despite the improvements, not everything in the remaster has been fully polished. One of the lingering issues is the inconsistent audio mix, with conversations with other characters sometimes seemingly quiet, only to be followed by Deacon shouting over them unexpectedly. It’s a small but noticeable flaw that detracts from the otherwise immersive storytelling (and something I constantly found myself fooled by when tinkering with the in-game audio settings). AI inconsistencies also persist – enemies sometimes react too slowly or unpredictably – whilst the showdowns with human enemies can also feel a little unbalanced in the other direction. None of these are game-breaking issues by any stretch of the imagination, but rather minor problems that haven’t been ironed out since the original game’s release.

Developer: Bend Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed)
Website: https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/games/days-gone/