Returnal is a Playstation 5 exclusive that launched in early 2021. It was one of the few original titles alongside remakes or remasters during the Playstation 5 launch. Sony has announced that it will be coming out for PC in 2023.
Sci-fi horror without the jumpscares
Fast-paced action games generally don’t have the most powerful story or atmosphere. This is what makes Returnal somewhat unique. It fully embraces its sci-fi horror roots by creating a world similar to the Alien films. When you take a close look at the environments, you can see how much of an inspiration the works of H.R. Giger were. Everything looks ominous, and the remnants of an ancient and mysterious civilization are everywhere.
Even though the mysterious world will enrapture you while exploring it, most of the storytelling is done with flashbacks. A creepy rendition of the protagonist’s home is where you will find helpful information about her past and mission. Piecing it all together is a big part of the story, bringing you closer to the heroine over time.
But what about the gameplay?
The game’s main gimmick is that your character is stuck in a time loop. Every time she dies, you have to start all over again. Each run will be unique, with different drops, enemies, and map layouts. It is a unique combination of roguelike elements with some fast-paced action shooter combat.
Even though you will have to start over after every loss, there is some continuity. You can upgrade certain aspects of your character and find some permanent upgrades. The strongest of these upgrades are called Xenotech. These Xenotech gadgets will offer various bonuses to your character, ranging from unique weaponry to more slots for consumables.
Difficulty be damned
If this sounds like an exciting prospect for you, there is also some bad news. Well, not entirely bad, but we have to talk about the difficulty of this game. While it is not necessarily on par with Dark Souls, the game is pretty hard, especially when starting out.
But for experienced roguelike players this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Part of the magic of any roguelike game is that you have to keep trying as you constantly improve. And this doesn’t mean just getting all the permanent upgrades that the game has to offer. Learning how to deal with enemies and various situations that arise is half the fun. And this is where Returnal truly shines, rewarding your patience with the instant sensation that you are finally getting the hang of it.
So if you’re looking for a new roguelike to spend your time on, Returnal might be the game for you. Returnal will be coming out for PC in early 2023. A proper release date might be announced by the end of 2022.
