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Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Steam Reviews and the PSN Account Requirement

PSN sign-in was required when Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered launched on PC, but patch 1.5 made it optional on February 6, 2025. The exact launch-day Steam rating remains unverified.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered no longer requires a PlayStation Network account to play on PC. Sony made PSN sign-in optional in patch 1.5 on February 6, 2025, after requiring it at launch. Steam review scores change over time, and the available record does not verify the game’s exact launch-day rating or prove that the PSN requirement alone caused negative reviews.

Does Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered still require a PSN account on PC?

No. The official Steam announcement for patch 1.5, dated February 6, 2025, says that a PlayStation Network account is now optional on PC. Players can link an account if they want the Nora Valiant outfit; linking is not a condition of playing. Read the patch 1.5 announcement on Steam.

This differs from the Steam store page’s surfaced requirement wording, which reflects the earlier policy. The dated patch announcement documents the subsequent change and is the more relevant source for the current requirement.

What was the PSN policy at launch?

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered launched on PS5 and PC on October 31, 2024. Sony’s PC-facing launch material said a PSN account was required on PC. On January 29, 2025, Sony announced that sign-in would become optional for the game. The Steam patch notice followed on February 6, confirming the change had taken effect.

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Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered PS5
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Date What Sony said or did
October 31, 2024 The remaster launched on PS5 and PC; Sony’s launch material described PSN sign-in as required on PC. PlayStation Blog launch announcement and October 17 PC and remaster details.
January 29, 2025 Sony announced that PSN sign-in would become optional for this PC title. PlayStation Blog policy announcement.
February 6, 2025 Steam patch 1.5 made sign-in optional; linking an account grants the Nora Valiant outfit. Official patch notice.

Sony’s January announcement described trophies and friend management as general benefits of opting into account linking for its PC games. For Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, the specifically listed linking benefit was the Nora Valiant outfit.

Did the PSN requirement cause mixed Steam reviews?

The available evidence does not establish the exact launch-day Steam review score or count, nor does it show that the PSN requirement alone caused a particular rating. Steam ratings and review totals change over time, so a current or later listing cannot confirm what the score was on launch day without a dated snapshot.

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Horizon Zero Dawn: The Soldiers of the Sun Expansion – A Board Game Expansion by Steamforged Games – 60-90 Mins of Gameplay – Family Game Night – Teens & Adults Ages 14+ - English
  • Explore the land of the legendary Carja in the Soldiers of the Sun expansion for Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game.
  • Discover new ways to hunt with the Carja Noble and the Carja Rogue. Each hunter has their own unique skills, abilities, and equipment.
  • With an all-new tracking deck of encounters, this expansion features new enemies that trample and crush. Boasting an 80mm base, the mighty Behemoth is no small challenge!
  • The new encounters and terrain pieces will keep your quivers full and spears sharp for years to come.
  • You’ll need to prove your worth in Carja territory, as you find your mettle tested to the very limits. Are you ready to become a Soldier of the Sun?

One surfaced Steam listing snapshot showed “Very Positive,” with 3,467 English reviews and 85% positive. That is a snapshot, not a verified current rating or a launch-day result. The claim that reviews were “Mixed” at launch should therefore be treated as an unverified historical characterization unless paired with a reliable dated record. Steam store listing.

The launch requirement is a relevant point in the game’s reception timeline, but the available information does not quantify its effect on reviews or establish a causal link. It is more accurate to distinguish the documented policy change from claims about why players reviewed the game positively or negatively.

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What did the remaster include?

In its October 17, 2024 developer deep dive, PlayStation described remaster changes including improved character models, lighting and sound, new motion capture for conversations, and accessibility features carried over from Horizon Forbidden West. Those improvements describe the remaster itself; they do not change the later decision to make PSN sign-in optional on PC. PlayStation’s developer deep dive.

What were the launch purchase options?

Sony’s September 24, 2024 announcement listed US launch prices of $49.99 for new buyers and $9.99 for eligible owners of Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition upgrading to the remaster. These are historical launch prices, not a statement of current pricing; Sony noted that prices could vary by region. The announcement also described a physical PS5 release alongside digital versions. Those purchase details do not affect the PC account requirement. Sony’s launch announcement.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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