Days Gone Remastered Review

In the gaming industry, second chances don’t come too often. Releasing a game that doesn’t hit certain targets faces an uphill battle. However, some studios refuse to give up, working tirelessly to improve their product in the hopes of turning public perception around. One such case is Days Gone, a game that initially struggled but has since found its audience, turning into a beloved title with fans clamoring for a sequel.

Days Gone, an open-world zombie apocalypse title, entered the market at a tough time. It faced several obstacles, including game-breaking bugs, criticism for its story pacing, and competition from other titles that launched around the same time. Despite this, a redemption arc for Bend Studio was in the cards. It gradually improved thanks to extensive patches and updates, proving persistence can pay off.

Enter Days Gone Remastered for the PS5, the definitive way to experience Deek’s adventure as it packages the game with the Broken Road DLC and introduces new features to enhance the experience. If you’ve been waiting for a time to finally try out the game, this is it.

A Hell of a Ride

Days Gone tells the story of Deacon St. John, a motorcycle drifter navigating a zombie-infested Oregon while taking odd jobs and searching for his missing wife. Despite its initial reception, the game remains an underrated gem that deserves a second look.

While Days Gone is not without flaws, such as character inconsistencies, minor endgame issues, and limited utilization of the PS5’s haptic feedback, it still delivers a decent gaming experience set during a zombie apocalypse.

Aside from the main story missions, camps will have jobs for you to do, and the rewards will be increased trust and access to their respective features. One camp offers motorcycle upgrades, while another provides various weapons to buy. So, it’s up to you which one you want to prioritize first to give you a fighting chance against what’s out there.

The Freakers, Days Gone’s version of zombies, are unpredictable and aggressive. Unlike traditional slow-moving undead, they run and swarm in large numbers, and their behavior is influenced by the time of day—they are more manageable during daylight but deadlier in massive hordes at night. The game also features stronger variations as the story unfolds.

The Oregon landscape is visually stunning, providing numerous breathtaking sights to explore. Deacon’s motorcycle is his most valuable asset, requiring constant maintenance, upgrades, and refueling for survival. Players also develop combat and survival skills that enhance long-range and melee attacks, ensuring they can withstand the dangers posed by hostile factions, Freakers, and unpredictable wildlife.

A New Level of Freakiness

Days Gone Remastered fully leverages the power of the PlayStation 5, delivering significant gameplay enhancements. Faster loading times are welcome, and most of all, the upgrade to visual fidelity is immediately noticeable. Character models are smoother and more fluid, and the improved lighting system brings Oregon to life—sunny and vibrant by day, dreary when it snows, and hauntingly dark at night. Even the ruined landscapes, littered with abandoned cars and decaying structures, possess a certain rugged beauty, perfect for taking a few snaps here and there.

The enhanced Photo Mode in Days Gone Remastered offers an array of options for players to document Oregon’s wilderness or the many encounters against Freakers and other hostiles. Customization tools allow adjustments to angles, quality, time of day, and even character expressions, enabling players to capture every mile through the broken road.

The DualSense controller is also fully utilized in Days Gone Remastered, putting adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to good use. Revving up the motorcycle mimics the resistance of a real throttle, while environmental details, such as bumpy roads, train tracks, and even the threat of danger during nighttime encounters, are felt through the haptics.

Newcomers will certainly experience Days Gone Remastered at its best, but returning players can also enjoy fresh challenges that make the jump worth it. While enhanced graphics and smoother performance are par for the course, the Days Gone Remastered introduces two new modes that increase replayability: Permadeath Mode and Speedrun Mode.

For those seeking the ultimate test of survival, Days Gone Remastered’s Permadeath Mode offers a high-stakes experience. Players can either attempt the campaign with only one life or opt to restart after each major Act, but the risk remains significant. A zombie infested Oregon is unforgiving, and one mistake could mean losing hours of progress.

On the other hand, Speedrun Mode allows players to push their limits and complete Deacon’s story as quickly as possible. An internal timer tracks progress, but cutscenes are automatically paused, allowing players moments to strategize their next move. Speedrunners must carefully balance speed and survival, making critical choices about which missions to prioritize.

Hordes are undoubtedly one of Days Gone’s pillar features, and it’s no different in Days Gone Remastered. While Freakers are already formidable foes, encountering them in massive swarms presents a new challenge, testing players’ survival instincts and combat strategies. These encounters were initially limited to select campaign areas, but the new Horde Assault mode allows players to take on the challenge anytime. Players must face relentless waves of Freaks, searching for supplies to prepare for each escalating round. The deeper you progress, the tougher the Freaks become, but survival rewards include unlocking additional Horde locations and new playable characters like Boozer.

Horde Assault also introduces unlockable Injectors, which can enhance or hinder your abilities. Some Injectors bring debuffs such as reducing the effectiveness of healing items, creating a high-risk, high-reward challenge. While these debuffs make survival significantly harder, they also boost your final score, adding a layer of challenge for those willing to take the ultimate test.

Days Gone Remastered is the game’s definitive edition, which includes all previously released patches. Though minor issues remain, such as occasional visual glitches requiring a save restart and the disjointed mission structure, these do little to diminish the overall experience. Days Gone Remastered successfully refines and enhances the core gameplay, offering the best possible version of the game.

Verdict: Buy it!

Days Gone’s initial release faced challenges that kept it from joining the ranks of PlayStation’s most celebrated exclusives. While Bend Studio has no confirmed plans for a sequel, their commitment to refining and improving the game has resulted in a more polished and definitive experience, making it a must-play this time.

With enhanced gameplay mechanics and new modes, Days Gone Remastered is the most complete version of the game, making it a worthwhile experience for newcomers and longtime fans. Perhaps its revival could spark interest in a sequel, proving that some stories deserve a second chance.

*Days Gone Remastered was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.