Returnal combines rogue-like elements with third-person shooter action, set in a constantly shifting alien world. Its blend of challenging gameplay, psychological narrative, and atmospheric visuals offers a uniquely immersive and intense experience.
Returnal is a psychological horror-themed, third-person shooter roguelike video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game is a PlayStation 5 exclusive, released in April 2021. It is highly praised for its fast-paced gameplay, cutting-edge graphics that make the most of the PS5 hardware, and intricate narrative elements.
Players take control of Selene, a space explorer who finds herself stuck in a time loop on a mysterious alien planet called Atropos. Each time she dies, she wakes up at the crash site of her spacecraft. The game features procedural level generation, meaning that each run will offer different layouts and enemy placements. Players are expected to engage in fast-paced combat, utilizing a variety of weapons and abilities to defeat increasingly difficult enemies and bosses.
The narrative in Returnal is cryptic and layered, requiring players to piece together the story through audio logs, text-based artifacts, and environmental clues. Themes of isolation, psychological turmoil, and the quest for answers are prominent throughout the game. As Selene delves deeper into the planet, the line between reality and hallucination begins to blur, creating a mind-bending, atmospheric experience.
Returnal is a showcase for the PlayStation 5's capabilities. It takes full advantage of the console's high-speed SSD to eliminate loading times, resulting in a seamless gameplay experience. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the PS5 controller are also employed to provide a more immersive experience.
Reviews for Returnal have been generally positive, highlighting its challenging gameplay, complex storytelling, and impressive visuals. However, the high difficulty level and lack of save points have been points of contention among some players.