Sony has announced that The Last of Us Part 2 PC release will require players to have a PlayStation Network account to play the game. The title, scheduled for release on April 3, is now available to wishlist on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.

This requirement follows a pattern seen with other Sony PC releases, though the practice has faced criticism from the PC gaming community. The decision is particularly noteworthy for The Last of Us Part 2, as it’s a single-player focused experience. The requirement poses potential accessibility issues, as PSN services are not available in all regions, which could prevent some players from accessing the game.

Sony has shown flexibility with this policy in the past. Following player feedback, the company recently reversed a similar requirement for Helldivers 2, stating they were “learning what’s best for PC players.” The sensitivity around this issue was highlighted when a mod removing the PSN requirement for God of War Ragnarök was taken down by its creator due to concerns about potential legal action from Sony.

The Last of Us Part 2 recently received a PS5 remaster in January 2024, earning a 90 on Metacritic. The PC version will include all the content from the remastered release, including the new Lost Levels and the roguelike No Return mode. Players who pre-order will receive early access to two in-game items: an ammo capacity upgrade and a crafting training manual.

The release comes as interest in the franchise continues to grow, with HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us preparing for its second season, also premiering in April.