The Last of Us Part 2 PC Release Requires PSN Account

The Last of Us Part II Remastered's PC release on April 3rd, 2025, necessitates a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, sparking controversy among potential players. This requirement, also present in previous PC ports of PlayStation exclusives, forces users to create or link a PSN account to play, a decision met with past backlash.

While Sony's move to bring acclaimed titles like The Last of Us Part II to PC via Steam is welcomed, the PSN requirement is a sticking point. The original Last of Us Part I, released on PC in 2022, shared this requirement. Although the sequel's remaster is exciting for PC gamers, the PSN mandate may dampen enthusiasm.

The Steam page explicitly states the PSN account necessity, allowing for account linking. This easily overlooked detail has fueled discontent, mirroring the strong negative reaction to similar requirements in past PC ports. Last year, Sony even backtracked, removing the PSN requirement from Helldivers 2 after significant player pushback.

Sony's Strategy: Expanding PSN Reach

While PSN accounts are justifiable for games with multiplayer or PlayStation overlay features (like Ghost of Tsushima), their necessity for a single-player game like The Last of Us Part II is questionable. This likely reflects Sony's strategy to expand PSN usage among PC gamers, a commercially sound decision but a risky one given past negative experiences.

Although creating a basic PSN account is free, the added step is inconvenient for players eager to start gaming. Further, PSN's global unavailability creates additional barriers for some fans, contradicting the accessibility often associated with the Last of Us franchise. This restriction could alienate a segment of the player base.