Returnal

 PC
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. PC Gamer
    Feb 15, 2023
    74
    Demanding but excellent combat and gorgeous visuals sit awkwardly in a half-baked roguelike structure.
  2. Attack of the Fanboy
    Feb 21, 2023
    60
    You won't want to break the cycle because Returnal offers an immersive experience that sucks you in for hours. However, when you finally break the cycle and reach the end of Selene's journey, you will realize just how much of a masterpiece Returnal is.
  3. Dexerto
    Feb 15, 2023
    60
    Returnal on the Steam Deck is going to look a little ugly. All three supersampling options aren’t the best in the world, as AMD’s FSR and Nvidia’s NIS options muddied the screen and VSR turned the game into a gloopy mess. There are also options to turn down the rendered resolution, as well as turn on Dynamic Resolution, but nothing ever managed to run or look ‘right’.
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  1. 3DJuegos
    Mar 22, 2023
    Returnal was one of the best PS5 exclusive video games, so it is marvelous news to receive it on PC with this great port that works really well and looks amazing. [Recommended]
  2. Kotaku
    Feb 15, 2023
    The whole game is a tremendously satisfying experience. From the wonderful alien design, to the slow-burning storyline and its blank-faced staring astronaut, to the satisfying array of weapons, and perhaps most importantly, to the way the statues crumble when you hit them, this is something utterly solid, and eternally compelling. And unless my rig proves a fluke, finally a console-to-PC port to celebrate on day one.
  3. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Feb 15, 2023
    Keep playing and each turn reveals with increasing certainty that this is a game totally at one with itself, from its audio-visual spectacle to its pinpoint control to its interweaving narrative and now its longevity. Unlike Selene, I keep coming back to Atropos by choice. Long may its immaculate, horrifying loop continue. [RPS Bestest Bests]

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best PC Game of 2023
28
#28 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 180 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 180
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 180
  3. Negative: 47 out of 180
  1. Vasot
    Feb 17, 2023
    4
    Don't listen to so-called professionals and Sony fanboys. This game is a monotonous and boring slog killing the same enemies again and againDon't listen to so-called professionals and Sony fanboys. This game is a monotonous and boring slog killing the same enemies again and again and again and starting from the start if you die. It's trying hard to be another Dark Souls wannabe with some rogue like elements. Typical new age garbage completely soulless tries hard to be "competitive" with overpowered enemies and giving you weak weaponry to fight them. The story is bare-bones and the main character is awful also from the technical perspective suffers from stutter issues… Full Review »
  2. vgmkyle
    Feb 16, 2023
    7
    Still not a great game, but it beats the bricks off the outdated PS5 version. The appeal behind Returnal will always allude me because I'veStill not a great game, but it beats the bricks off the outdated PS5 version. The appeal behind Returnal will always allude me because I've simply played 10x better in the Science fiction department.… Full Review »
  3. Pickle
    Feb 19, 2023
    5
    I feel as if reviews are divided in these two categories… One being the game’s quality and the other being a review that’s mainly focused inI feel as if reviews are divided in these two categories… One being the game’s quality and the other being a review that’s mainly focused in describing the experience you had with the game, You know?

    Personally if I were to review the game based on its quality, it’s a great game, the graphics, the gameplay, the sound design, everything about it is top notch, the game’s atmospheric and the narrative ambiguous but mysterious enough that you’re engaged with it constantly, then the gameplay is very arcadey and fun, something that’s completely subversive compared to contemporary story driven titles that aim to give more “weight” to the character at the cost of control responsiveness.

    Even then though my actual experience was mediocre at best, initially I loved the game, and then I got pummelled time and time again up until I couldn’t get past the first biome of five (I’ve heard) . This kind of experience might be really appealing to people who adore challenge, but personally I felt frustrated and after a while, feeling quite bored towards the game, I just feel as if I’m going to take a break from the whole thing and move on to other games; these really demanding and challenging titles might’ve been fine when I was a kid and in a few cases I had nothing more than games to keep me entertained, but now I feel like they’re a bit of a loss of time, no offense to those who like the “climbing” or accomplishment of a game challenge, but to me I just don’t have it in me anymore, I lack the determination, time, and persistence to overcome the challenges these titles throw at me, instead I see those challenges as hinder and a blockade in what I’m actually interested in experiencing in a game, which is mainly its story, in conjunction with its gameplay.    … Full Review »
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