Not sure which difficulty to pick in Days Gone Remastered? Here’s a breakdown of every game mode, from Easy to Survival II, including Permadeath and Speedrun.
When Days Gone originally dropped back in 2019, its difficulty options were pretty basic. But with DLC, New Game+, and the release of Days Gone Remastered—especially with the Broken Road DLC—Bend Studio seriously stepped things up. Players now have more ways than ever to challenge themselves, including Permadeath and Speedrun modes, plus two extra-hard Survival levels that crank the intensity way up.
This guide breaks down every difficulty and game mode in Days Gone Remastered, so you can figure out which one suits your style best.
Days Gone Remastered Difficulty Options
As you bump up the difficulty, enemies hit harder, take more damage to kill, and in some modes, your HUD and fast travel get disabled. These settings apply across all story modes: Story Mode, New Game+, Permadeath, and Speedrun.
Here’s what each difficulty level brings to the table:
| Difficulty | Best For | What Changes |
| Easy | First-timers, casual players | Enemies are weaker and easier to kill |
| Normal | Balanced experience | Standard enemy difficulty |
| Hard | Players looking for more challenge | Enemies deal/take more damage |
| Hard II | Veterans of the game | Even tougher enemies than Hard |
| Survival | Immersion seekers | No fast travel, HUD hidden, tougher combat |
| Survival II | Hardcore fans | Same restrictions as Survival, but even more brutal enemy scaling |
⚠️ You can’t switch out of Survival Mode once you start a save with it—so choose wisely.
☠️ Permadeath Mode Explained
Permadeath is exactly what it sounds like: die once, and there are consequences.
You’ve got two options when playing Permadeath:
- Whole Game – Die, and your entire save file is wiped.
- Per Act – Die, and you’re booted back to the beginning of that act.
Permadeath can be paired with any difficulty level, but if you’re aiming to survive all the way through, Easy might be a smart move. Of course, if you’re after the ultimate test, then Permadeath + Survival II is where legends are made (and probably rage quit).
⏱ Speedrun Mode Explained
Speedrun Mode is all about racing through the story. You’ll see a timer on screen, tracking how long it takes to finish the main story. Don’t worry—it pauses during cutscenes, so you don’t need to skip them unless you’re gunning for a personal best.
Once you wrap up the game, you’ll get a full Speedrun Recap with your total playtime.
This mode is perfect for replaying the game and shaving minutes off your previous run—especially once you know the layout, the best weapons, and what side missions to skip.
Which Difficulty Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick cheat sheet depending on your goals:
- First Playthrough?
Go with Easy or Normal. You’ll still get a solid challenge, and it’s a great way to learn the ropes without too much frustration. - Looking for Immersion?
Survival strips away fast travel and the HUD, so you’ll rely more on Survival Vision. It’s intense but rewarding. - Want a Real Challenge?
Hard II or Survival II crank things up to max. These are ideal for New Game+ when you’ve got your skills and recipes unlocked. - Trying to Prove Yourself?
Try Permadeath. Add Survival II to that and you’re in for a punishing but satisfying ride. - Replay Value & Competition?
Give Speedrun Mode a shot. It’s fun to challenge yourself and see how fast you can finish the game.
If this is your first time with Days Gone, focus on enjoying the story and getting a feel for the mechanics. Once you’ve got a full playthrough under your belt, then you can start experimenting with the harder modes and added challenges.
Related Article:
- Days Gone Remastered Skill Tree Guide: All 45 Skills Explained
- How to Upgrade to Days Gone Remastered on PS5 for Just $10
- Days Gone Remastered – Full Main Missions & Storylines Guide
- Days Gone Remastered Crafting Guide: How to Unlock Every Recipe
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