Days Gone, developed by Bend Studio—an esteemed branch of Sony, renowned for its work on the Siphon Filter series—marked the studio’s return to original intellectual properties after over ten years. The studio, based in Oregon, devoted six years to crafting this expansive open-world action-adventure game, significantly increasing its workforce to meet the project demands. Prior to its launch, both fan and developer enthusiasm reached a fever pitch, with Sony demonstrating its confidence by showcasing the game during the iconic E3 2016 event on two occasions.
However, upon its debut in April 2019, the excitement surrounding Days Gone quickly waned. The game received a lukewarm critical response, achieving a score of just 72 on OpenCritic, which was quite a contrast to many of Sony’s other AAA releases that were garnering scores in the 80s and 90s. This mixed reception left fans surprised, especially considering the game’s promising trailers. Despite this initial downturn, Days Gone cultivated a dedicated following within the gaming community. It has sold millions of units on PS4 and PC, and is set for a revival on PS5, further solidifying its place in gaming culture.
Days Gone Receives a Revitalizing PS5 Remaster
New Content in Days Gone’s PS5 Re-Release
In a recent PlayStation State of Play presentation, Sony unveiled plans for a remaster of Days Gone, scheduled for release on April 25, 2025. This upgraded version promises various graphical improvements and introduces exciting new gameplay modes.Days Gone Remastered will include a permadeath mode, an arcade-style horde assault mode where players confront relentless waves of Freakers, and a challenging speedrun mode. Similar to other recent remasters, current owners will have the opportunity to upgrade for just $10, while new players can purchase it for $50.
Fan Sentiment: A Desire for a Sequel Over a Remaster
While the remaster is an exciting development and includes a wealth of new features, many fans express disappointment over the absence of a full-fledged sequel. Despite being released six years ago, the original Days Gone remains visually appealing and performs admirably on PS5, particularly after a significant patch in 2020 optimized it for 60 FPS and dynamic 4K resolution. Many players argue that, rather than a remaster, the studio should have focused on creating a sequel to expand upon the original story and gameplay.
Days Gone 2: Scrapped but Not Forgotten
Reports indicate that Bend Studio initially had plans for a sequel, with a pitch for Days Gone 2 submitted shortly after the original game’s release. However, according to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Sony ultimately rejected the proposal, viewing the original as a commercial disappointment despite decent sales figures. Factors such as the game’s mixed reviews and lengthy development cycle contributed to this decision. After the cancellation of the sequel, Bend Studio briefly shifted focus to a live-service multiplayer project, which was also scrapped earlier this year.
While it’s heartening to see Days Gone receive renewed attention with the upcoming remaster, many fans hope for a sequel instead. Should Days Gone Remastered achieve strong sales, there remains a possibility that Sony could reconsider and greenlight Days Gone 2. For now, however, the future of the franchise beyond the remaster remains uncertain.
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