Returnal for PlayStation 5

Loop your way out of a cosmic nightmare in this brutal roguelike for PS5

Returnal is a third-person shooter with roguelike elements that will send you on a relentless nightmare through the depths of planet Atropos. Developed by Housemarque as a PlayStation 5 exclusive (although now it’s also available on PC), the game showcases all the power of Sony’s next-gen console. Follow Selene Vassos, a daring astronaut who finds herself trapped in a time loop while investigating a mysterious signal. With stunning visuals, intense combat sequences and a haunting atmosphere, this enigmatic and challenging game is one you won’t be able to put down until you uncover all of its secrets. Do you want to know why this is an adventure that begs to be experienced?

Story

In Returnal we take on the role of Selene Vassos, an explorer from the ASTRA Corporation that, disobeying orders from her superiors, sets course to Atropos. This forbidden planet seems to be the source of a strange yet familiar signal that Vassos calls “The White Shadow”. After crashing on the planet’s surface, Selene starts an investigation looking for answers and ways to repair the Helios, her ship. However, what she finds is way beyond comprehension: multiple corpses with her own face.

One of the key elements in Returnal is its excellent storytelling. With every biome you explore and every loop you experience, you’ll unveil a new piece of Selene’s journey on Atropos and the mysteries surrounding this planet. Don’t worry, we won’t spoil anything for you before you play, because learning these twists and turns are vital to understand and experience Returnal’s gameplay.

Gameplay

Returnal’s gameplay is a mix of fast-paced roguelike mechanics with challenging combat and exploration sequences. As Selene, we’ll have to explore the different and dangerous biomes of Atropos while trapped in an endless loop of death and rebirth. Each run through these procedurally generated environments creates a fresh and deadly challenge, promising that each loop will be a completely different adventure. However, by repeating the same biome over and over, you’ll slowly learn to recognize rooms, traps and spaces that repeat themselves. This knowledge will help you locate power ups or, for example, detect fake walls easily.

Loop after loop you’ll discover areas that will be inaccessible to Selene until she manages to acquire certain pieces of equipment such as a grappling hook or hazard-protection boots. Locating these tools will be your main priority since they will let you explore the biome in its totality. These translate into more treasures and new finds that will slowly unravel the planet’s secrets and the truth behind the nightmarish death cycle going non-stop on its surface.

Let’s not forget that Returnal is a third-person shooter, so combat plays a core part of its gameplay. The game is fast and punishing, fitting perfectly into the bullet-hell genre. The different biomes of the game are full of hostile creatures that will attack, shoot or simply slash Selene’s head off, triggering a new loop. Boss battles will take this to the next level. To progress, you’ll have to slowly learn the enemies’ moves and be prepared to dodge them if you don’t want to die and repeat the cycle. Returnal is a game of constant trial and error and, while frustrating for the average player, it’s an extremely rewarding experience that you’ll find hardly anywhere else (except maybe FromSoftware’s Dark Souls). 

Selene will have a whole arsenal of weapons to fight her enemies, although first you’ll have to unlock them. Each of them offers a different type of attack, making sure the player will always find one suitable for their playstyle. Mastering them is difficult and it will take several loops to get the hang of the different weapons to know which one will be the one that helps you survive certain enemies or take down one of Returnal’s gigantic bosses. When changing biomes, this process repeats itself since you’ll have to explore, analyze enemies and choose a weapon that might help you survive the challenge. You never know what you will find, making Returnal an extremely replayable game.

Graphics and sound

Returnal’s graphics are simply breathtaking. Initially released as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, the game pushes the boundaries of Sony’s next-gen console, being one of the first titles to actually show what the console is actually capable of. Showing extreme attention to detail, Returnal offers eerie and ethereal landscapes. The game’s biomes are all different, with vibrant colors and luscious visuals and lighting. What you will see will surprise you.

Enemy designs deserve also a mention. Returnal’s monsters are perfectly rendered nightmares that will creep into your dreams after each loop. These cosmic horrors blend with the biomes, making it hard to explore without feeling fear or distress at what awaits you around every corner. If you’re scared of the ocean or have thalassophobia, we warn you that you’d better play with the lights on if you want to be able to sleep at night.

Last but not least is the game’s soundtrack. Composed by Bobby Krlic (Midsommar), Returnal’s music and sound effects create a haunting and eerie environment. Its daunting and distressing melodies complement the mysterious narrative. The sounds are equally impressive, bringing the hellish alien world around Selene alive. Echoing roars and the pulse of your weapons will accompany you in a nightmarish adventure that you’ll find hard to forget.

Is Returnal a good game for beginners?

Returns is an  extremely challenging and difficult game that at times can be punishing even to those who are accustomed to shooters. However, the game has been designed so that you won’t be able to explore nor survive in the initial jumps, making you loop and loop until you’ve learnt the basics of the game and its enemies. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced gamer or a beginner in the genre, the only thing you’ll need to have fun with the game is patience. 

How long is Returnal?

Players take an average of  19 hours to beat the story of Returnal. However, the game hides many secrets and twists. If you want to see them all and achieve 100% completion, you’ll have to spend an average of 60 hours exploring (and surviving) Atropos.

A brilliant yet challenging roguelike full of twists

Returnal is simply excellent. This relentless nightmare is extremely fun to play and, even though it has a steep learning curve, once you get into the swing of the game mechanics you’ll find it extremely rewarding. The game’s visual presentation is one of the most impressive we can currently find in a PS5 title, being one of the best titles to see the capabilities of Sony’s console. If you are looking for a challenging adventure full of horror and shocking discoveries, you’ll definitely love Returnal.