How to Upgrade Days Gone Remastered on PS5: Free PS5 Pro Boost, New Modes, and $10 Guide (2025)
days gone remastered ps5
Days Gone Remastered finally arrives on April 25, 2025, giving PlayStation fans a polished, feature-packed way to revisit Bend Studio’s cult classic zombie survival game. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer curious about the hype, this PS5 remaster isn’t just a visual glow-up—it’s a strategic upgrade packed with new modes like Horde Assault, PS5 Pro enhancements, and a shockingly fair $10 upgrade path for PS4 owners.
But there’s a catch: Upgrading isn’t as simple as clicking a button, especially for physical disc owners. Worse, Sony’s controversial “disc-as-a-license” policy has sparked frustration. Below, I’ll break down exactly how to upgrade, why the PS5 Pro version is worth it, and what this remaster means for the future of Days Gone.
How to Upgrade Days Gone PS4 to PS5 Remastered
Sony’s $10 upgrade offer applies to both digital and physical PS4 owners, but the process varies. Here’s what you need to know:
For Digital PS4 Owners
Open your PS5 dashboard and navigate to the PlayStation Store.
Search for Days Gone Remastered.
Select the $10 upgrade option (visible only if you own the PS4 version).
Download the PS5 version—your save data transfers automatically if synced to the cloud.
For Physical PS4 Disc Owners
Insert your PS4 disc into a PS5 with a disc drive.
Visit the Days Gone Remastered store page.
Purchase the $10 upgrade and download the PS5 version.
Important Warning for Disc Users
Your PS4 disc becomes a “license key” for the PS5 version. You must insert the disc every time you play. Lose the disc, sell it, or damage it? Your PS5 access vanishes. This policy has angered physical collectors, but Sony shows no signs of changing it.
Why the PS5 Pro Version is a Game-Changer
Days Gone’s original PS4 version struggled with frame rate drops during intense horde battles. The remaster fixes this with three optimized graphics modes on PS5 Pro:
Enhanced Mode: Dynamic 4K resolution at 60 FPS with ray tracing and improved draw distances. Perfect for soaking in the eerie Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Performance Mode: 1440p resolution at 120 FPS for ultra-smooth combat. Ideal for Horde Assault mode’s chaos.
Quality Mode: Native 4K at 30 FPS with ultra-detailed textures. Best for screenshots, not gameplay.
Most players recommend Performance Mode. The jump to 120 FPS makes dodging Freakers and landing headshots feel buttery smooth, especially with the PS5 Pro’s adaptive triggers adding resistance to motorcycle handling and gunplay.
New Content: Horde Assault, Permadeath, and Speedrun Modes
Bend Studio didn’t just polish the game—they added reasons to stay invested:
Horde Assault Mode: A relentless arcade-style mode where you fight endless waves of Freakers. Negative Injectors (random debuffs like fogged vision or slower stamina) keep runs unpredictable. Leaderboards let you compete globally.
Permadeath Mode: One life. No respawns. If Deacon dies, your save file is deleted. Only for the bravest (or most masochistic) players.
Speedrun Mode: Race against the clock to beat the game under 8 hours. Streamers are already competing for world records.
PC Players Get Love Too: Broken Road DLC
PC gamers aren’t left out. For $10, the Broken Road DLC adds all PS5-exclusive content (Horde Assault, Permadeath, etc.) to the original Days Gone. This clever move taps into PC modding communities, who could keep the game alive for years—and maybe even convince Sony to greenlight Days Gone 2.
Is the $10 Upgrade Worth It?
If you answer “yes” to any of these, it’s a no-brainer:
You quit the PS4 version due to performance issues.
You crave post-game content or competitive challenges.
You want Sony to notice fan demand for Days Gone 2.
Final Verdict
Days Gone Remastered is a rare example of a remaster done right. It’s not just a cash grab—it’s a second chance for a game that deserved better. For $10, the visual upgrades, PS5 Pro optimizations, and addictive new modes make it the definitive way to play. Just remember: Physical disc owners are stuck with Sony’s frustrating anti-consumer policy.