Days Gone vs. Days Gone Remastered

Sony seems intent on improving some of its most popular games through remasters. Some of the most notable titles that have already been remastered include Horizon Zero Dawn, Until Dawn, and The Last of Us Part 1 and 2. Next on the list is Days Gone, a game that enjoyed strong sales and immense popularity despite earning mixed reviews.

While Days Gone has its shortcomings, it has become somewhat of a cult classic among fans. As such, many fans are eager to see what’s in store in the remastered version. While the remastered version hasn’t launched yet, Sony has been generous with information. Here is a detailed comparison of Days Gone versus Days Gone Remastered.

What is Days Gone?

Days Gone is an open-world zombie survival game from the Sony-owned Bend Studio. It is popular for its intense action and innovative horde mechanics. Players fight zombie-like creatures and other hostile survivors to survive in a harsh, post-pandemic world. Moreover, it delivers a compelling, immersive storytelling experience, which has been instrumental in unexpected popularity. The game launched in 2019 and received mixed reviews from critics. However, it sold numerous copies and has gained a loyal fan base over the past six years.

What is Days Gone Remastered?

Days Gone Remastered is an upcoming remastered version of Days Gone. Sony recently announced the new version at its recent State of Play event to the surprise of many players. The announcement has already sparked a heated debate among fans and critics. Some argue that a remaster is not worth it and instead advocate for a sequel. However, some are eager to see what changes will come with the remaster.

Sony has already confirmed that the remaster will introduce a few new features and content. Moreover, it promises better visuals, audio, and accessibility. However, it has also been noted that the gameplay will not change much.

Story

Days Gone is a story-driven game, and its intriguing story is one of the reasons behind its incredible popularity. The story is emotional and thought-provoking, covering themes like love and betrayal. Notably, the story doesn’t change in any way in Days Gone Remastered.

The world is still reeling from a global pandemic that turned most people into zombie-like creatures called Freakers. The remaining survivors must scavenge and fight to survive, even if it is at the expense of other survivors.

Deacon St. John, a former outlaw biker, is one of the few remaining people trying to survive in the harsh world. He is accompanied by his friend, Boozer, as they explore the world in search of resources and refuge. More importantly, Deacon is on a desperate quest to find his lost wife, Sarah, after the two are separated during an evacuation.

Character

The protagonist and major characters in Days Gone are the same as in Days Gone Remastered. However, the remastered version features never-before-playable characters that players can unlock as rewards for completing its new modes. Deacon St. John is the protagonist. He works as a bounty hunter and mercenary alongside his best friend, Boozer, who is one of the major characters. Major characters also include Deacon’s wife, Sarah Whitaker, who is one of the prominent aspects of the game’s story. Other major characters are Mark Copeland, James O’Brien, and Ada Tucker.

Gameplay

Critics claim not to see any differences between Days Gone and the remaster from the latter’s trailer. However, Sony promises that the remaster features better visuals through increased foliage draw distance, improved graphical fidelity, and better lighting and shadow quality. It also features VRR support, Tempest 3D audio, and full haptic feedback.

The reason why players cannot notice the technical improvements now is that they only come out during gameplay. It is also worth noting that these technical improvements may not be as noticeable on PC as they will be on the PS console.

Besides the better visuals and other technical improvements, Days Gone Remastered also introduces new features and content. Most notably, it features three new modes and an exciting range of new rewards. Moreover, it offers new accessibility features, making it more accommodative of players’ unique needs. For example, it features UI narration, a high contrast mode, a field of view slider, collectible audio cues, and controller remapping.

The three new modes in the remaster include Horde Assault, Permadeath Mode, and Speedrun Mode. Horde Assault Mode challenges players to last as long as possible against endless hordes of Freakers. The hordes become bigger and fiercer over time, challenging players skills’ in aiming, strategic thinking, and resource management.

Permadeath Mode raises the stakes by challenging players to complete the entire game in one run. Of course, this is difficult in a post-apocalyptic world where monsters lurk around every other corner. Players have only one life, and they must start all over again from the beginning or at the start of the second act when they die.

Speedrun Mode cranks up the pressure by throwing a timer into the mix. It challenges players to complete objectives as fast as possible. Playing this mode can be a great way for players to sharpen their skills.

However, it is worth noting that the gameplay design doesn’t change in any way despite the new content and technical improvements. The action is as intense as ever, and players have access to the same weapons in Days Gone. Moreover, the storytelling experience is as intriguing as the adventure in the original game.

Platforms

Sony decided to remaster Days Gone with the PS console in mind. The game is available on PlayStation 5 as a digital-only title. Moreover, players who bought it on PlayStation 4 can upgrade to the remastered version for $10. However, players using PlayStation Plus to play the survival game must buy the remaster for a full $49.99. It is also worth noting that the remaster is available on PC as a DLC.

Verdict

Days Gone Remastered promises to improve players’ gameplay experience. Players can look forward to better visuals and audio. Moreover, it introduces new features and content to expand the gameplay experience. However, only time will tell whether the decision to remaster the cult classic is worth it, considering the ongoing criticism.