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, mirroring Sony's approach with previous PC ports of PlayStation exclusives, has drawn criticism. While bringing the acclaimed sequel to PC is a positive step, the PSN mandate is a significant drawback for many.

The Steam page explicitly states the PSN account necessity, allowing players to link existing accounts. This detail, easily overlooked, is proving contentious, echoing past negative reactions to similar requirements. Last year, significant backlash led Sony to remove the PSN requirement from Helldivers 2 before its implementation.

Sony's strategy appears aimed at encouraging PSN adoption among PC gamers. While understandable from a business standpoint, this tactic is risky given previous negative user responses. Although a basic PSN account is free, the added step of account creation or linking is inconvenient. Furthermore, PSN's unavailability in certain regions creates accessibility issues, contradicting the Last of Us franchise's reputation for inclusivity. The single-player nature of the game further fuels the debate, as network features or cross-play aren't factors justifying the requirement.