The PC version of The Last of Us Part II draws closer to its April 3rd release date. Players who missed out on Ellie and Joel’s climactic sequel can finally experience the story with mouse and keyboard controls.
The game features the same features and improvements as the PlayStation 5 remaster, including enhanced visual fidelity, better performance, and the roguelike mode No Return.
While these additions are welcome, many players may be surprised—and frustrated—to learn that The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC requires a PlayStation Network (PSN) account despite being a single-player game. While this may not be an issue for players in countries where PSN is supported, it is undoubtedly bad news for those in regions that lack access to Sony’s services.
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This strange requirement isn’t new for Sony. Two months after its release, the company faced backlash after retroactively implementing the same policy in HELLDIVERS 2 despite initially promising that a PSN account would not be necessary. The move sparked widespread controversy, leading to review bombing and a sharp decline in the game's player base, especially in regions without PSN support.
Importantly, this decision wasn't the fault of HELLDIVERS 2 developer Arrowhead, nor is it Naughty Dog’s responsibility in this case. The requirement comes from Sony, which cites the need to ensure “safety and security” on both ends by mandating PSN sign-ins.
This explanation, however, has not satisfied affected players, particularly those in countries like the Philippines, Argentina, and parts of Europe, including France, where PSN remains unavailable. Sony attributes the lack of PSN access to legal and regulatory issues in these regions, but this will not be a quick fix.
Curiously, while many of PlayStation’s other PC ports on Steam and Epic Games Store also require a PSN login — such as God of War: Ragnarok, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered — some recent titles, like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part I, do not. This inconsistency has left players puzzled and frustrated.
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Unfortunately, there is no immediate solution for players in countries without PSN support. While using a VPN can bypass the restriction, it carries significant risk, as it may result in account bans from Sony and Valve.