In the realm of zombie-infested open worlds, few games have captured players’ imagination quite like Days Gone. Originally developed by Bend Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment back in 2019, Days Gone emerged as a gritty, ambitious take on survival horror blended with the freedom of open-world exploration. Despite receiving mixed reviews initially—thanks largely to technical hiccups and pacing issues—the game quickly amassed a loyal following, proving there’s always room for another post-apocalyptic anti-hero and his trusty bike.
Fast forward to April 2025, and Bend Studio is back with Days Gone Remastered for the PlayStation 5. Promising enhanced visuals, smoother gameplay, and several new gameplay modes designed specifically to test your survival instincts, this remaster arrives at a perfect time for both newcomers and returning veterans. It’s not every day that you get another shot at fighting hordes of ravenous creatures called “Freakers” and believe me, if the original taught us anything, it’s that Freakers make ordinary zombies look positively friendly.
At the heart of this remastered edition is our rough-around-the-edges protagonist, Deacon St. John, a biker drifter whose gruff demeanor and unkempt beard would make even the most hardened apocalypse survivors feel self-conscious. Deacon’s journey through a ravaged Pacific Northwest landscape is not just about survival but redemption, driven by lingering grief, undying hope, and perhaps a stubborn refusal to admit that motorcycles might not be the most practical choice for stealthily navigating through hordes of mutated cannibals.
Yet, the true question lingering over Days Gone Remastered is whether the added bells and whistles justify revisiting a game that already had a sprawling and complex—albeit imperfect—foundation. With an impressive visual overhaul, a tempting new permadeath mode, and the intriguing Horde Assault challenge, Bend Studio seems determined to prove that second rides can indeed be better than the first. Rev your engines and strap on your helmets—it’s time to see if the Freaker-infested highways and wilderness of Oregon are worth braving once more.
Setting and Story
Days Gone Remastered plunges players into the hauntingly beautiful yet mercilessly savage landscape of post-apocalyptic Oregon, two years after a devastating global pandemic. The infection has transformed vast portions of humanity into ferocious, zombie-like beings known colloquially as “Freakers.” The world you explore is rich in detail, capturing Oregon’s diverse scenery—from dense forests and snow-capped peaks to barren desert wastelands—creating an atmospheric backdrop that simultaneously enchants and terrifies. It’s the kind of place where scenic photo ops can quickly devolve into panicked escapes, as Freakers swarm in numbers that would intimidate even seasoned gamers.
At the core of the story is Deacon St. John, a biker-drifter haunted by the presumed death of his wife, Sarah. Deacon initially comes off as your standard gritty anti-hero: tough, surly, and a bit overly fond of growling to himself. But beneath his rough exterior lies a surprisingly compelling character arc about grief, redemption, and the faint yet persistent hope that Sarah might still be alive. The narrative cleverly balances Deacon’s personal journey with the broader societal collapse around him, reinforcing the grim reality that in a world overrun by Freakers, sometimes humanity poses an even bigger threat.
Complementing Deacon’s rugged charm are the diverse characters he encounters along the way, each vividly portrayed and memorable—from his steadfast friend Boozer, whose loyalty transcends even apocalyptic despair, to the morally complex camp leaders whose motives are seldom straightforward. Characters such as the calculating “Iron” Mike Wilcox, manipulative Skizzo, and the troubled young survivor Lisa Jackson add considerable depth and emotional resonance to the narrative, keeping players invested beyond mere survival gameplay. These relationships inject emotional stakes and poignant moments into a world otherwise dominated by relentless action and tense stealth sequences.
Storytelling in Days Gone Remastered is notably improved from its original iteration, with a tighter pacing that better highlights emotional beats and reduces some of the frustrating lulls experienced in the original game. While some narrative clichés still linger—after all, the apocalypse and morally grey survivors aren’t exactly groundbreaking tropes—the depth of character development and the improved clarity in the storytelling elevate this remastered experience. Ultimately, Bend Studio delivers a compelling tale, reminding players that in a world consumed by chaos and loss, humanity’s resilience and hope often shine brightest in its darkest moments.
Gameplay and Mechanics
From roaring through dense forests on your trusty motorcycle to quietly dispatching Freakers under the cover of darkness, Days Gone Remastered offers a diverse range of gameplay mechanics that effectively blend thrilling action, stealth tactics, and resource management. At the heart of the experience is Deacon’s bike, not merely a mode of transportation but an essential companion in survival. Players must routinely refuel and repair this metallic steed, lest they find themselves stranded amid ravenous hordes. It’s an engaging mechanic that heightens the tension, because there’s nothing quite like running out of gas at precisely the wrong moment to remind you why planning ahead in an apocalypse might just be a wise idea.
Combat in Days Gone Remastered remains satisfyingly visceral, offering players numerous ways to tackle their Freaker foes. Whether your preference leans toward stealthily eliminating enemies with a combat knife or noisily dispatching entire hordes with explosives and heavy firearms, Bend Studio gives you ample freedom. The introduction of new accessibility features and performance improvements significantly enhances the responsiveness of Deacon’s actions. Gunplay feels tighter and more refined, turning firefights into fluid and frantic affairs rather than exercises in frustration—an issue often noted in the original release.
One of the standout mechanics returns intact from the original—the Horde encounters. These massive clusters of Freakers—sometimes numbering hundreds—remain a nerve-wracking highlight. Outmaneuvering and outsmarting these hordes requires strategy, careful inventory management, and a healthy dose of luck. The remastered version further emphasizes this gameplay element through the inclusion of the “Horde Assault” mode, a relentless wave-based survival challenge that pushes both your combat skills and anxiety to their absolute limits. Trust me: nothing tests your courage (or your ability to resist panic button-mashing) quite like facing down a seemingly endless flood of ravenous Freakers.
Resource collection and crafting mechanics remain integral, rewarding exploration and encouraging players to scavenge every abandoned building and vehicle. The need to constantly replenish ammunition, healing items, and crafting materials makes each journey away from the safety of a settlement an exercise in strategic risk. Skills and upgrades return as well, allowing Deacon to grow increasingly adept at surviving Oregon’s merciless wilderness. The progression system, combined with side objectives such as clearing Freaker nests, rescuing hostages, and capturing bounty targets, ensures players continually have meaningful tasks beyond the main story, solidifying Days Gone Remastered as an addictive blend of exploration, survival, and strategic gameplay.
Multiplayer and Replayability
In an era where multiplayer seems almost obligatory, Bend Studio continues to bravely buck trends by keeping Days Gone Remastered a strictly single-player experience. Yet, even without traditional multiplayer offerings, the game still manages to foster an impressive sense of community through competitive online leaderboards and challenges. The new addition of the “Horde Assault” and speedrun modes encourages fierce competition among players striving for bragging rights, significantly boosting replayability for those with a competitive itch. If you ever thought you were great at surviving endless waves of Freakers, prepare to find your ego swiftly deflated when you glance at global leaderboards.
The introduction of permadeath mode is another intriguing twist, dramatically ramping up the stakes by forcing players to consider every decision carefully. Death isn’t merely a temporary inconvenience—it’s game over, prompting a full restart. This mode caters specifically to hardcore survivalists and masochistic thrill-seekers alike, testing not only your combat skills but also your strategic planning and nerves. Believe me, there’s nothing quite like feeling genuine fear as you realize your precious character could meet his permanent demise because of one unfortunate stumble or one overlooked Freaker behind a bush.
Despite these additions, some players might still find Days Gone Remastered lacking substantial replay value outside these challenge modes, especially given its linear narrative structure. Once the main campaign is complete, the side quests and activities, though enjoyable, may become somewhat repetitive. Unlike other open-world classics with branching storylines or deeper RPG elements, Days Gone Remastered doesn’t offer significantly different narrative outcomes on subsequent playthroughs. However, the improved fluidity and refined gameplay do make revisiting the game a more attractive proposition compared to the original.
Ultimately, the replayability of Days Gone Remastered will largely depend on the player’s appetite for combat challenges and leaderboard chasing rather than narrative variety. The additional difficulty options, survival mechanics, and competitive modes ensure there’s ample reason for returning fans and new players alike to keep coming back for more punishment—er, enjoyment. If testing your endurance against hordes of ravenous Freakers or proving yourself on permadeath runs sounds like your idea of a good time, Bend Studio certainly has you covered.
Graphics and Sound
From the first moments spent cruising through Oregon’s ruined highways, it’s immediately apparent that Days Gone Remastered makes excellent use of the PlayStation 5’s graphical capabilities. Bend Studio has delivered a noticeably enhanced visual experience, with significantly improved lighting, textures, and environmental details that breathe new life into the game’s post-apocalyptic world. Whether it’s sunlight filtering gently through dense forest canopies or the eerie illumination of moonlit Freaker-infested towns, each scene is crafted with meticulous care. The vibrant yet haunting visuals consistently impress, elevating the immersion and tension to remarkable heights.
Character models, animations, and facial expressions have also received a considerable upgrade. Deacon St. John and his ragtag band of survivors now look more detailed and realistic than ever, adding nuance to emotional moments and cinematic cutscenes. Even the Freakers—while still as grotesque as ever—appear disturbingly lifelike in their frenzied movements, thanks to smoother animations. Witnessing a massive horde storming toward you in 4K at 60fps is both awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling, further cementing this remastered edition’s graphical leap forward.
Sound design remains exemplary, providing players with a crucial sensory tool that adds immensely to gameplay immersion. Whether it’s the menacing growls of nearby Freakers lurking unseen in the shadows or the guttural roar of Deacon’s motorcycle engine as it echoes across an empty landscape, the audio helps vividly bring the apocalypse to life. The superb use of directional audio heightens awareness during stealth segments, enabling players to track enemy positions through sound alone, assuming your nerves can handle hearing Freakers breathing heavily directly behind you.
Composer Nathan Whitehead returns with his compelling, guitar-driven score, blending melancholic Americana and subtle rock elements perfectly suited to the game’s Pacific Northwest setting. The music dynamically shifts between quiet introspection during exploration and tense adrenaline rushes during combat encounters, effectively complementing the game’s shifting moods. Coupled with outstanding voice acting—particularly Sam Witwer’s gruff yet vulnerable portrayal of Deacon—the audio presentation in Days Gone Remastered solidifies the emotional resonance and raw intensity of the overall experience.
Final Thoughts
Days Gone Remastered is more than just a shiny new coat of paint on Bend Studio’s ambitious post-apocalyptic adventure. It’s a thoughtful revision that genuinely enhances both the visual and gameplay experiences, delivering on much of the potential promised by the original release. The refinements in graphical fidelity, improved controls, and enriched gameplay mechanics make this remastered version not just the definitive way to experience Deacon’s journey, but also an excellent starting point for newcomers.
While the core narrative remains largely unchanged—still embracing familiar tropes and occasionally predictable twists—the tighter pacing and deeper emotional resonance elevate it significantly. The added gameplay modes, such as permadeath and Horde Assault, inject fresh adrenaline into an already thrilling gameplay formula, ensuring even veteran Freaker-slayers find renewed excitement. It’s clear Bend Studio listened carefully to fan feedback, thoughtfully addressing many critiques while doubling down on what made the original title uniquely captivating.
Admittedly, some issues from the original game persist—chiefly repetitive side missions and the lack of genuine branching narratives. Players seeking a deep, choice-driven RPG might still feel a tinge of dissatisfaction. However, the sheer exhilaration of navigating hordes, the satisfying survival mechanics, and the rich character dynamics more than compensate for these shortcomings. Days Gone Remastered effectively demonstrates how incremental improvements, when executed thoughtfully, can profoundly enhance an existing experience.
Ultimately, if you overlooked the original release or stepped away due to frustrations over technical glitches, now is the perfect moment to hop onto your bike and return to the Oregon wilderness. For both veterans and new players alike, Days Gone Remastered offers a visceral, polished, and emotionally compelling adventure through a beautifully bleak landscape. After all, there’s nothing quite like outrunning hordes of angry Freakers at sunset to remind you why gaming remains uniquely exhilarating—just remember to keep an extra gas can handy, because running out mid-chase still isn’t fun.
We prepared this review with a digital copy of the Days Gone Remastered for the PlayStation 5 version provided by PlayStation PR.
