Returnal

 PlayStation 5
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 3997 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,738 out of 3997
  2. Mixed: 333 out of 3997
  3. Negative: 926 out of 3997
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  1. emrakul11
    Jun 23, 2023
    8
    Amazing game, challenging and fun. As first big game of housemarque i am sure next one will be better
  2. Bugjam8
    Jul 13, 2023
    10
    Returnal es un emocionante juego de acción y disparos que presenta una combinación única de mecánicas roguelike y una historia intrigante. Este título exclusivo de PlayStation ofrece una experiencia desafiante y adictiva que puede animar a cualquier persona a adquirir el juego y disfrutarlo en una consola PlayStation. Aquí están algunos de los aspectos positivos del juego:

    1.    Returnal es un emocionante juego de acción y disparos que presenta una combinación única de mecánicas roguelike y una historia intrigante. Este título exclusivo de PlayStation ofrece una experiencia desafiante y adictiva que puede animar a cualquier persona a adquirir el juego y disfrutarlo en una consola PlayStation. Aquí están algunos de los aspectos positivos del juego:

    1. Jugabilidad adictiva: Returnal combina hábilmente la acción frenética en tercera persona con elementos roguelike. Cada partida es única y desafiante, ya que te enfrentas a enemigos poderosos y exploras entornos cambiantes. La mezcla de combate fluido, movimientos ágiles y la necesidad de adaptarse a diferentes situaciones te mantendrá enganchado durante horas.

    2. Ambiente atmosférico y visualmente impresionante: El mundo alienígena de Returnal es hermoso y cautivador. Los entornos detallados, los efectos visuales asombrosos y la iluminación atmosférica se combinan para crear una experiencia visualmente impresionante y envolvente. Cada nuevo ciclo del juego revela nuevos paisajes y secretos por descubrir.

    3. Historia intrigante: Returnal presenta una historia intrigante y misteriosa que te sumergirá en el mundo de Selene, la protagonista del juego. A medida que exploras el planeta alienígena y desentrañas los misterios que rodean a Selene, te adentrarás en una narrativa llena de giros y sorpresas.

    4. Desafío gratificante: El juego ofrece un nivel de desafío significativo que te mantendrá constantemente alerta. Cada derrota es una oportunidad para aprender y mejorar tus habilidades, lo que te llevará a experimentar una sensación de logro y satisfacción cuando finalmente superes los desafíos más difíciles.

    5. Valor de rejugabilidad: Gracias a su naturaleza roguelike y la aleatoriedad de cada partida, Returnal ofrece un alto valor de rejugabilidad. Cada nueva corrida te presenta diferentes desafíos, enemigos y objetos para descubrir, lo que asegura que siempre haya algo nuevo que explorar y experimentar.

    Returnal es un juego emocionante y desafiante que combina una jugabilidad adictiva, un ambiente visualmente impresionante, una historia intrigante y un alto valor de rejugabilidad. Si estás buscando una experiencia de juego única y estimulante, este juego es una razón convincente para adquirir una consola PlayStation y sumergirte en la fascinante y peligrosa aventura de Selene.    … Expand
  3. Warrior_of_Doom
    Jul 19, 2023
    10
    The overall score is based on how much fun I personally had with every component of the game
    and the overall experience.
  4. Duduz
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Magnífico. Simplesmente magnífico. Jogo viciante. Jogabilidade excelente. Muito bom o jogo
  5. Rob1986
    Jun 29, 2022
    9
    This thing is a lot of fun. Combining TPS, rogue-like, into a AAA turned out to be a great idea. For me, the frustration of re-starting is minimal. The game actually does seem to allow progress. I could be wrong here, but it seems the chances of getting better weapons and pick-ups increases as you reach further into the regenerating maps. Maybe it's just random, and lucky, but IThis thing is a lot of fun. Combining TPS, rogue-like, into a AAA turned out to be a great idea. For me, the frustration of re-starting is minimal. The game actually does seem to allow progress. I could be wrong here, but it seems the chances of getting better weapons and pick-ups increases as you reach further into the regenerating maps. Maybe it's just random, and lucky, but I believe I've seen the map getting easier as my runs have gotten longer. Learning the trade offs of picking things up, and how to maximize chances for success is one of my favorite aspects. Your strategy is worth something here, and that's the way a to make a good rogue-like work.

    Two gripes: one, it absolutely would more fun to be able to save a run, than to lose a great one, because you have to leave in the middle. I have no problem starting over when I die, but to be forced to leave in the middle of an extraordinary run, because you have to is terrible. Putting the PS5 in sleep mode doesn't work if someone else wants to use the console before you get back. Second, the regen cut scenes shouldn't need to be skipped. You should have a setting to auto-skip everything except new scenes.

    I was excited for this game, and it more than met expectations.    … Expand
  6. Fabtech23
    May 22, 2021
    10
    I’ve never played a rougelike before and the premise of what that is was something I never cared to understand. I bought this game because I needed a PS5 game for my PS5. Boy am I glad I did. This game is fantastic. Within the first hour I realized I had to not care about beating the game and just enjoy playing it. I love the fact there is no save system and I pray to the gods they don’tI’ve never played a rougelike before and the premise of what that is was something I never cared to understand. I bought this game because I needed a PS5 game for my PS5. Boy am I glad I did. This game is fantastic. Within the first hour I realized I had to not care about beating the game and just enjoy playing it. I love the fact there is no save system and I pray to the gods they don’t add one as that would change the whole intent of the game. Sorry folks, if you don’t agree with the developers vision, don’t play their game, but they should 100% not be expected to cater to YOU and what YOU want. Also, maybe you just need to get better.… Expand
  7. DrDeath
    Jun 17, 2021
    9
    Returnal is a very hard game. It only saves a small handful of permanent equipment thoughtout all of your playtime. The rest of your progress will be with attaining different gun unlocks that will be added to future possible variations when you equip that weapon. Returnal is total dependant on Random number generating. and it shuffles levels in the game everytime you die like train trackReturnal is a very hard game. It only saves a small handful of permanent equipment thoughtout all of your playtime. The rest of your progress will be with attaining different gun unlocks that will be added to future possible variations when you equip that weapon. Returnal is total dependant on Random number generating. and it shuffles levels in the game everytime you die like train track pieces. So the map totally changed its order evertime you die.

    People are upset there is no save function so you can't shut off your system or close returnal and return to it later. Your run will begin again.

    The graphics are 1080p upscaled to a 4k image and it is very crisp. It's still one of the best looking 60fps games out there. The dualsense implementation is very well done. The haptics are well done and you feel the rain drops and every obolite you collect. The adaptive triggers are also used very well as they require a half pull of the trigger or a full pull for special shot.

    I found the game to be fairly unbalanced near the end game In the final levels or biomes as they call them. You really need the rng to be nice to you as it constantly destroys good runs.

    I have beaten the entire game and I am just finishing up my platinum and surveying the biomes.

    It took me 30 hours to beat the game. And it will take another 50 hours or so to finish the surveys of the biomes due to poor RNG. Really unfortunate as it's far to random as some rooms simply never spawn so your stuck in hell. Updates should fix this.

    The gameplay is amazing and is the real showstopper. It plays amazingly and is so smooth. Some of the best gameplay available on next gen. Another home run for Sony.

    9/10    … Expand
  8. PaleNielsen
    May 10, 2021
    8
    Wow I've just finished it and it's really a fun game I don't know why some people scored it less than a 5. The story is quite confusing and intriguing I just wish there's more to it than just giving us a few glimpses here and there and despite that flaw the gameplay is superb and there are a lot of fun guns and awesome artifacts.

    I understand the complaints regarding this game    Wow I've just finished it and it's really a fun game I don't know why some people scored it less than a 5. The story is quite confusing and intriguing I just wish there's more to it than just giving us a few glimpses here and there and despite that flaw the gameplay is superb and there are a lot of fun guns and awesome artifacts.

    I understand the complaints regarding this game specially the save feature, I know its a rougelite game but I mean picking up where you left off when you turn of your PS5 or if you choose to play another game in the middle of the run will not make the game easier for everyone its really just for convenience and you still lose progress if you die. A 2-4hr run for a rougelite is really long if you plan to visit every single room you encounter cause that really helps to finish the game.    … Expand
  9. tumanow
    Jan 8, 2023
    9
    Amazing game but by nature, too hardcore. The soundtrack deserves a special praise.
  10. abowman
    May 5, 2021
    9
    This is a fantastic game that really showcases the potential of the ps5. After playing outriders its is a breath of fresh air to play a game that works brilliantly out of the box.

    I'm not usually a fan of roguelike games, but this one is definitely the pinnacle of the genre so far. The learning curve is absolutely terrific and well balanced. The story and atmosphere puts off sci-fi    This is a fantastic game that really showcases the potential of the ps5. After playing outriders its is a breath of fresh air to play a game that works brilliantly out of the box.

    I'm not usually a fan of roguelike games, but this one is definitely the pinnacle of the genre so far. The learning curve is absolutely terrific and well balanced. The story and atmosphere puts off sci-fi thriller vibes that are almost on par with Ridley Scott movies. There was a strong desire to finish the game just to see how it would end.

    I think the balance needs some small tweaks which is why this isn't a perfect score for me. The last level was particularly brutal. The mobs do a bit too much damage and there isn't as many opportunities to obtain the necessary upgrades that will be needed. I also fought with the controls, specifically the triangle button, when I would attempt to pick up an item. It would often using the grappling hook mechanic instead and killed me a couple times as a result.

    The lack of a true save option also hinders this game. While I didn't experience any crashes, I did run across a bug that prevents doors from being opened. I was forced to restart the run because of it.

    Overall a terrific game and proves why Sony is the dominant player in the console wars.    … Expand
  11. adesr
    Jan 5, 2023
    9
    Challenging but rewarding. Kept me engaged for a long time, and the co-op system works really well.
  12. Inthebag84
    May 31, 2021
    9
    Lots of fun. Gameplay loop is frenetic, smooth, and not terribly unfair. There are some moments that are few and far between that are a little too difficult (looking at you trap door mini bosses) but overall lots of fun.
  13. SuperkenGaming
    May 15, 2021
    8
    Returnal
    I’m not good enough for this game.
    Returnl is a 3rd person rogue like game and is by far the most next gen feeling game to have come out.. the moment you start it lets you know theres some magic in this dual sense… I came for the rougue like but stayed for the hand massages from the rain.. its pure magic playing this game, running through its dungeons, collecting new guns as    Returnal
    I’m not good enough for this game.
    Returnl is a 3rd person rogue like game and is by far the most next gen feeling game to have come out.. the moment you start it lets you know theres some magic in this dual sense… I came for the rougue like but stayed for the hand massages from the rain.. its pure magic playing this game, running through its dungeons, collecting new guns as well as artifacts to boost your stats during your run… I love the world, the colors, the lasers.. the way it eels to shoot, the combat, dodging, dashing, jumping shooting.. all of it is masterpiece level… And then theres to bosses.
    Im gonna be up front with yall.
    I did not beat returnal.
    I love almost everything about this game but I didn’t have it in me to continue playing after 4 hours.
    Why? Because the bosses absolutely ruin this game.
    As a rogue like, the hook of the game is explore the dungeons, collect what you can, attempt to take down the boss and unlock the next world… if you die along your way you lose almost everything and have to go back in.. rebuild.. come back stronger than last time to try again.. in a rogue like th reward is the boss battle, hades is a great example of rogue like done right.. its exciting to take on the next boss, learn its attack patterns, get a nice build ground and clean house… and the reward for defeating a boss is a new area with new weapons and enemies..rinse and repeat, heres a cool new boss, heres a cool new level to explore… but the bosses her in returnal are absolut garbage… they aren’t “difficult” theyre cheap and annoying.. you feel no progress while fighting them, because it literally feels like youre fighting a sponge… you go from satisfying combat in the rest of the game, to these moments of boring sponges that do nothing cool but waste your time and kill your run… the boss battles are again the reward in these types of games.. this is how you reward me? With enemies that don’t want to die and do nothing but try to cheaply kill you. The bosses ruin returnal. Ive said it probably a million times. Theres a difference between difficult and frustrating. These bosses are frustrating… theyre not enjoyable to take down, theyre not enjoyable to fight.. the yfeel like impossible obstacles in the way of an actual good game…
    But If you love punishment and the idea of hitting your head against a spongy wall.. returnals world is breathtaking, its beautiful, its so fun to run thourgh.. so immersive, d one of the coolest experiences on next gen consoles there is.. the bosses just need nerfed.. I want to feel like I got out of there by the skin of my teeth, not that im sure lucky I got a health consumable in one of the rooms… they don’t feel balanced with the rest of the game.. the rest of the game is a fun challenge, the bosses are not.
    I give Returnal
    an 8.5/10    … Expand
  14. KyleBleser
    May 1, 2021
    9
    Score: 9.2

    Art Design: 9.5 Graphics: 9 Audio: 10 Performance: 9.5 Gameplay: 9 Story: 8.5 Originality: 9 First off, hands down some of the best bosses and audio design in a game. The gameplay around bosses is SUPERB. And the audio is top notch. Easily some of the most memorable moments Ive had in gaming are from this game. Exceptional game to show off the PS5 and its controller.    Score: 9.2

    Art Design: 9.5
    Graphics: 9
    Audio: 10
    Performance: 9.5
    Gameplay: 9
    Story: 8.5
    Originality: 9

    First off, hands down some of the best bosses and audio design in a game. The gameplay around bosses is SUPERB. And the audio is top notch. Easily some of the most memorable moments Ive had in gaming are from this game.


    Exceptional game to show off the PS5 and its controller. Controls are incredibly smooth to help with the faster paced gameplay. Sound is top notch. The story is very intriguing and fun for what it is though somewhat too ambiguous at times--tons of mystery though. And graphics are overall, extremely good. May not be quite the best in some areas but the overall physics and details make this world come to life in terrifying ways. But the biggest draw here is the controller.. my God is rumble feedback amazing.. it just feels so good with every detail. adds an immense level of immersion to a game. and the Haptic feedback, though may take a little getting use to, does add an incredible dynamic to gameplay. Only major complaint is the lack of checkpoints. Theres many people that don't understand what a Rogue-like game is and that you're suppose to start over with each death with nearly nothing. But I will say, it would be nice to have had a save feature for runs. Then once you die, that save becomes deleted so you truly start over. But at least you are not forced to play Returnal for a few hours or put your PS5 into Rest mode. Oh and if there was a setting to control the resistance of Alt Fire for haptic feedback, that would have been amazing. I wouldnt mind increasing the resistance by another 5% to 10% more.

    My only other complaint would be the $70 price. It is a bit steep. The game could have used a bit more content at the endgame level to help diversify itself. Something other Rogues will accomplish.    … Expand
  15. tjhowardwsu
    May 9, 2021
    9
    Super fun gameplay, really enjoy how massive the maps can be if you want to explore everything..... Only gripe is that the no save option for a long run makes finding enough time for the game difficult
  16. ninetynine1029
    May 13, 2021
    9
    Updated review:

    4->9; recent patches have substantially improved the stability.
  17. Young_Nacho
    Aug 5, 2021
    9
    Idk I only died 13 times maybe you guys just suck at video games, did you ever consider that?
  18. manu93
    Nov 3, 2022
    9
    Fantastic rogue like game. If you are looking for a challenging game, then don't miss it. Although it has some issues but, it doesn't mean it's not a great game. Don't miss this game either you are a rogue like fan or not.
  19. zwolsa
    Aug 6, 2022
    9
    This is an awesome game. Unfortunately just not for me. The graphics and level design is amazing. God of war like amazing, although totally different of course. But I hate rogue-likes and difficult games. I play for stories and entertainment and not to be challenged. Give me this as a Tomb Raider without the combats or as an Uncharted and I have a new favorite game. That I don't likeThis is an awesome game. Unfortunately just not for me. The graphics and level design is amazing. God of war like amazing, although totally different of course. But I hate rogue-likes and difficult games. I play for stories and entertainment and not to be challenged. Give me this as a Tomb Raider without the combats or as an Uncharted and I have a new favorite game. That I don't like challenging shooters doesn't change the fact that this is a great game. Highly recommended to everyone who loves this genre.… Expand
  20. nilruf
    Jul 4, 2021
    9
    Bold, demanding game that blends rogue-like mechanics with the production values of a blockbuster. While it's been controversial for many the fact that you can't save, once I have finished the game I'm 100% with the devs decision. It's also related not only to the genre but also to the story of the game, with some important twists that give it a profound and thoughtful meaning. ReallyBold, demanding game that blends rogue-like mechanics with the production values of a blockbuster. While it's been controversial for many the fact that you can't save, once I have finished the game I'm 100% with the devs decision. It's also related not only to the genre but also to the story of the game, with some important twists that give it a profound and thoughtful meaning. Really impressed with what they've pulled off, gameplay and story wise. Great atmosphere, fluid and adrenaline fused combat, extraordinary sound architecture, deep and layered plot. Returnal has made an everlasting impression on me.… Expand
  21. HTGamer
    Feb 13, 2022
    8
    Returnal is an awesome game from Housemarque, I just wish it wasn't designed as a rogue-like game.

    Returnal is an evolution over Housemarque's previous arcade shooters (Stardust, Resogun, Nex Machina, etc.). This game is a 3rd person shooter with bullet hell elements. AFAIK there is nothing quite like it out there, it's a unique game. The shooting mechanics feel nice, there are various    Returnal is an awesome game from Housemarque, I just wish it wasn't designed as a rogue-like game.

    Returnal is an evolution over Housemarque's previous arcade shooters (Stardust, Resogun, Nex Machina, etc.). This game is a 3rd person shooter with bullet hell elements. AFAIK there is nothing quite like it out there, it's a unique game. The shooting mechanics feel nice, there are various different weapons (pistols, shotguns, carbines, etc.) each with a secondary fire mode, and you have various other tools at your disposal (dash, blade for melee strikes, grappling hook, etc.). You also collect various consumables, materials, and parasites that can affect you both positively and negatively at the same time.

    Graphics are very nice and atmospheric, the game is clearly inspired by sci-fi movies such as Alien and Prometheus. Frame rate is rock solid 60 fps with barely any slowdown. And sound design is terrific, with slight horror vibes. Just play this game with headphones to appreciate the 3D Audio, no speakers can do it justice. There is also a story running in parallel, hinting at protagonist Selene's personal struggles, but it's not as well designed as the rest of the game and feels like an afterthought to be honest.

    The only real problem with Returnal is the rogue-like elements. When you die you lose everything (except for a few permanent upgrades) and have to start over from the first area (aka Biome). I'd rather restart each Biome rather than having to start from the very beginning. This was annoying especially in the early days because there was no save functionality and people lost hours of progress when either switching the console off or playing another game. It took a few months but Housemarque updated Returnal by adding a save functionality to remedy that.

    Overall, Returnal is a must play for PS5 owners. Just be prepared to withstand the frustration that comes with it being a rogue-like game.    … Expand
  22. Come_on_son
    May 5, 2021
    9
    Amazing game. I'm a tough critic but this game is a lot of fun! If you are pretty good and coast through it, it can seem a little short. Doors wouldn't open glitch happened to me so I had to restart a few runs. The way to fix this is to not wear the dlc spacesuits just wear the standard suit. At least until they patch it.
  23. dwhes
    May 5, 2021
    10
    Never been a roguelike fan, and still not sure I am. But I am definitely a fan of this game. It is truly stunning to look at, incredible 3D audio and haptics and a brutal but compelling gameplay loop. Apparently I suck at gaming is what this game has taught me but it makes you want to keep getting better! A must play game on ps5.
  24. Xabretooth
    Aug 11, 2021
    10
    This game caught me by surprise. After I got my PS5 I looked at the library of games that are currently out. After some research I decided to pick this up along with Demon Souls and Spiderman and for some reason I just keep coming back to Returnal and play it for HOURS.

    Saying that I'm really enjoying this game feels like an understatement. Returnal is just PURE FUN. Love the fact that    This game caught me by surprise. After I got my PS5 I looked at the library of games that are currently out. After some research I decided to pick this up along with Demon Souls and Spiderman and for some reason I just keep coming back to Returnal and play it for HOURS.

    Saying that I'm really enjoying this game feels like an understatement. Returnal is just PURE FUN. Love the fact that even though some areas in each dome are similar, every new cycle still feels like a new experience. The gunplay and trigger feedback from the dualsense control is amazing. I know we are early in this gaming generation but this is definitely one of my favorite PS5 games    … Expand
  25. Reed618
    Jan 5, 2022
    9
    This game is really quite unique. I'm not a fan of roguelikes at all generally but this one is actually very addictive and well structured.

    I'd heard a lot about the difficulty going in but I actually found it wasn't that bad at all. You do indeed lose your weapons and most of your abilities when you die but each area will have different objectives which typically involve unlocking the    This game is really quite unique. I'm not a fan of roguelikes at all generally but this one is actually very addictive and well structured.

    I'd heard a lot about the difficulty going in but I actually found it wasn't that bad at all. You do indeed lose your weapons and most of your abilities when you die but each area will have different objectives which typically involve unlocking the path to a boss. So if you unlock that path and die then the next time you try you can just go straight for the boss. Plus if you make it to the third area of the game then you can quite easily skip the first two areas. So I actually found this game was much much better than most roguelikes when it comes to making progress. Also luck can play a big role as well as learning how to deal with enemies. You might get annihilated in one run but in another you find a great weapon and some very helpful skills.

    The story can be hard to follow and it's a little cryptic but it has some moments which are really really cool. I was surprised with how engaged I was with Selene's storyline.

    The gameplay is just straight up phenomenal as well and the environments are so cool I really enjoy just running around exploring. I think i'll go for the platinum now that i've finished the story.

    I think there were a few bugs around launch but that seems to be fixed now for the most part. I didn't have a single crash the entire time I played. I don't think Returnal is for everyone because it's kind of dark, atmospheric and challenging but it's one of the most interesting games I've ever played. Highly recommend it.    … Expand
  26. DanZoto
    Dec 17, 2021
    9
    Simplesmente apaixonado por mais essa obra prima da Housemarque. A curva de aprendizado pode ser sofrida no início mas ao perceber a proposta do jogo e compreender suas mecânicas, foi pra mim um dos melhores jogos que joguei. A história é um pouco interpretativa mas no fim gostei muito.
  27. andy_lad_roo
    May 8, 2021
    10
    This is one of the most compelling, addictive games I have ever played. The joy this is giving me is overwhelming. Perfect balance of character building, action and exploration make this a stellar production. Who would have thought converting a Gradius style scroller shooter into a 3rd person action game would work so magically. Dying and restarting from scratch has never been so fun
  28. Druba
    Jun 6, 2021
    10
    Haven't had this much fun with a game for a while now. I can see it being too difficult for more casual players but I enjoyed it a lot. Beat it in around 30 tries after 20 hours. The whole game has a nice flow and aesthetic feel to it. If you manage to get in the zone and flow it becomes really entertaining.
  29. nickhei
    Feb 25, 2022
    9
    Gameplay, graphics, sounds, vibrations are all perfect. So far, It is the game of the year for me, but devs are too arrogant to not putting a save feature in game. (Do you seriously think there will be no crashes!?)
    random crashes lost me 10 hours progress in a few runs.
    It should have been an easy 10/10 for me, except it ruined my day by crashing before the last boss fight. (250% max    Gameplay, graphics, sounds, vibrations are all perfect. So far, It is the game of the year for me, but devs are too arrogant to not putting a save feature in game. (Do you seriously think there will be no crashes!?)
    random crashes lost me 10 hours progress in a few runs.
    It should have been an easy 10/10 for me, except it ruined my day by crashing before the last boss fight. (250% max health, a bunch of artifacts, lv25 proficiency, a bunch of status upgrades...).
    THANKS FOR RUINING MY DAY.

    Update: The Devs heard us. A pause system has been added. updating my score from 3 to 9.    … Expand
  30. pnot4u
    Nov 7, 2021
    10
    Абсолютно кайфовый геймплей, достаточно тактический и сложный. Сюжет здесь как бы за рамками игровых мехник и он раскрывается небольшими порциями. Мастхев для любителей рогаликов
  31. BenFoldsLaundry
    May 16, 2021
    9
    First let me say what an incredible immersive game this is. It's a gamer's game with challenging sophisticated fast paced combat that stitches seamlessly together. The AI is brilliant. Each run is a competitive thrill, and the use of the duel sense is outstanding. It feels so good in your hands from the rain coming down to pulling away on the trigger.

    Bravo to Housemarque. And cheers to    First let me say what an incredible immersive game this is. It's a gamer's game with challenging sophisticated fast paced combat that stitches seamlessly together. The AI is brilliant. Each run is a competitive thrill, and the use of the duel sense is outstanding. It feels so good in your hands from the rain coming down to pulling away on the trigger.

    Bravo to Housemarque. And cheers to Sony for giving them the budget they deserve, and not being afraid to get away from the mainstream success they've had.

    Most of the negative reviews on here are complaining about the most ridiculous things. "I spent $70 on a game where you have to start from the beginning when you die." "The game is too hard." "I have kids." Who buys a day one release without doing the most basic of research? It's a roguelite game, yes you will start over. That's what makes it so joyous as you get better and travel further through this incredible abstract sci-fi world. There are some special objects you will maintain permanently as you progress, giving them all the more value. You're discovering more every time you play. Because the stakes are so high, every run feels important. You're completely in the moment because you know it isn't easy to get back to where you are.

    I'm glad Sony didn't force their hand and make this game easier to appeal to the masses, as it's difficulty is not for everyone, but it is part of what makes the game unique.

    If you like a serious challenge with near perfect shooting mechanics, this game is a must.    … Expand
  32. dragonlord2213
    May 7, 2021
    8
    An Excellent game, but with a hefty price
    Positive:
    + Great Story + Fluid and challenging combat + Duelsense features + Beautiful Graphics + Great Sound
    NEGATIVE - Price
    - A short game
  33. harlota
    Oct 9, 2021
    10
    Extremely addictive (Hades level), the gameplay & the controls are a dream, it is quite hard but not insurmountable. The progression is excellent, too and very well balanced. By the end of the game you'll be a killing machine and this is extremely satisfying after all the struggle. It also looks fabulous. What I want to say is that I bought the ps5 with this game in mind and I actuallyExtremely addictive (Hades level), the gameplay & the controls are a dream, it is quite hard but not insurmountable. The progression is excellent, too and very well balanced. By the end of the game you'll be a killing machine and this is extremely satisfying after all the struggle. It also looks fabulous. What I want to say is that I bought the ps5 with this game in mind and I actually couldn't play anything for a while, after I finished it. It stays with you. Game of the year for me, easily. TBH I played it a few months after the launch. No bugs encountered. L.E. Immediately after I finished it, Housemarque offered the (single use) "save game" this game needed. Even better now, I guess.… Expand
  34. mehrad1231
    May 5, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Одна из лучших игр, в которые я когда-либо играл
    Одна из лучших игр, в которые я когда-либо играл
    Одна из лучших игр, в которые я когда-либо играл    … Expand
  35. Meh123456
    May 3, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I absolutely love so much about Returnal. The lore, INCREDIBLE dark horror sci-fi setting and otherworldly alien designs. The gameplay is tremendous and sublime, love it :))))… Expand
  36. Baldingsan
    Jul 31, 2021
    10
    Returnal ha sido mi sorpresa del año, un juego increíble, tremendamente desafiante y exigente, que además esconde una historia donde nada es lo que parece y me ha mantenido pegado a la pantalla durante cerca de 30 horas. Sin embargo, cómo no, se ha visto envuelto en una nueva polémica por parte de esta infame comunidad cuyo deporte favorito es tirar mierda indiscriminada. RecomiendoReturnal ha sido mi sorpresa del año, un juego increíble, tremendamente desafiante y exigente, que además esconde una historia donde nada es lo que parece y me ha mantenido pegado a la pantalla durante cerca de 30 horas. Sin embargo, cómo no, se ha visto envuelto en una nueva polémica por parte de esta infame comunidad cuyo deporte favorito es tirar mierda indiscriminada. Recomiendo filtrar sin piedad todas las críticas quejándose de su dificultad, hay que entender que Returnal no pone las cosas fáciles y exige comprender a fondo sus mecánicas para tener éxito. Dicho esto, me dedicaré a responder algunas preguntas de gente potencialmente interesada. ¿Es Returnal un AAA o un AA? Yo diría que un mero vistazo al juego y a la lista de créditos es suficiente para ver que es un AAA.

    ¿Vale los 80€ que piden por él?
    Es un AAA, con una duración generosa (en torno a 25 horas), con una jugabilidad pulidísima y narrativa cuidada, por lo tanto creo sí los vale. ¿Es Returnal un juego imposible? No, pero sí exigente. Puede llegar a frustrar en algún punto, pero se llega a dominar a base de práctica. ¿Es verdad que las runa duran 4-5 horas? Personalmente, lo más que me ha durado una run han sido dos horas. 4-5 si empiezas y no mueres ni una vez. ¿Es verdad que al morir en el último bioma tienes que empezar desde el principio? No, hay un punto donde el progreso se guarda. Hay puntos de no retorno y la progresión se asemeja a la de un metroidvania. ¿Cuál es entonces mi opinión de Returnal? Creo que es un juego increíble para el que busque un desafío de verdad. Personalmente, es lo mejor que he jugado desde hace más de un año (desde TLOU2 para ser exactos), y mi favorito en la generación actual. Teniendo en cuenta que es el primer gran proyecto de Housemarque, estoy ansioso por ver qué hacen después.    … Expand
  37. harveman877
    Aug 12, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First off I want to say this game is not for everyone. This game is difficult and the rogue-like elements will certainly turn some people off. Coming from the soulsborne games I feel like this game is right up there with that level of difficulty. With that being said the gameplay is really addictive and fun. The world is unique with interesting enemies and boss battles that are tough but fair. I would say that the difficult spikes are odd as certain mid game areas are harder than almost the end of the game although the final "biome" or area might be the toughest in the game just not the final boss. This game does have a cryptic sort of story and I had hoped by the end it might have given you a few more answers, but a lot is left hanging. This is nothing new compared to the soulsborne games I just thought things felt a bit more left hanging than those other games, but that's my only real knock against the game.… Expand
  38. TheRussianator
    May 18, 2021
    8
    Even though I rated this game an 8, it has potential to receive a 10. The storytelling in this game is unlike any AAA Sony exclusive I've seen. It's cryptic, unravels slowly, and only gives the players hints about the setting and plot. The ending of this game absolutely changes the way you perceive it or you'll just be extreme confused. Definitely not a game for everyone and it signifiesEven though I rated this game an 8, it has potential to receive a 10. The storytelling in this game is unlike any AAA Sony exclusive I've seen. It's cryptic, unravels slowly, and only gives the players hints about the setting and plot. The ending of this game absolutely changes the way you perceive it or you'll just be extreme confused. Definitely not a game for everyone and it signifies that Sony is willing to still go the whacky route and put out ambitious and original IPs. The gameplay loop is awesom and kept me engaged throughout my 30 hour run. The reason this game is not a 10 is due to some balancing issues and optimization. The game hard crashed my PS5 twice and I had to manually turn it off and on. That's baffling to see from a Sony exclusive. Never had that happen in any other Sony game. The game also bugged and didn't load a cut scene after the second boss which cost me about an hour and half of progress, which isn't personally critical but for some will be enraging, also depending on how much time you can lose due to a crash or bug. I also found that only two or three weapons are suited for all six biomes in the game - the pistol, the tachyomatic carbine, and maybe the shotgun. Anything with slow projectile speed becomes utterly useless in the second act of the game, especially in the last biome, since enemies there move incredibly fast and hit extremely hard. I found myself surrounded by dozens of enemies because the bullets or rockets would simply not hit them. Also, the keys are very useful only if you use them to unlock chests instead of doors. I've only gotten a good item or fabricator from a locked door a couple of times but have gotten amazing drops from chests rather frequently. If the devs fix these issues and balance weapons, drops, and fix the damn crashes, this is a 10/10 from me. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone unless you cannot enjoy difficult games. Also, the boss battles are beautiful and are worth the grind.… Expand
  39. Neatqt
    May 10, 2021
    8
    Cast: 4/10
    Story: 6/10
    Fun: 10/10
    Gameplay: 10/10

    Recommended
    ----------------------
  40. GamerXVG
    May 19, 2021
    9
    Es el METROID de Play Station, gran juego, no deja de sorprenderme, definitivamente merece sacar el Platino; SONY nunca me queda mal con las exclusivas.

    Muchos creen que es un juego básico y nada novedoso, pero el sistema de juego, la historia y la dificultad están super bien equilibradas, un juego que merece una secuela.
  41. BGZ
    May 4, 2021
    10
    I have yet to beat the first boss and I’m 10 hours in with 28 deaths. The game is very fun and I can see myself getting much better as time progresses. The game is VERY hard but doesn’t deserve a 0 rating just because you can’t beat it. It’s a roguelike.. it’s not “ratchet and clank”
  42. Rvmj202
    May 4, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just beat RETURNAL last night and I loved it! I'm going on another go around because there are more unlockables that I need to get and I need to unlock more of the story. This game isn't for everyone, its very difficult, but if you like a challenge, this game is AWESOME. Keep in mind there are no saves, but after you beat the 3rd boss you start at a different checkpoint when you die that starts you in the 4th biome.… Expand
  43. LiteFox
    Jul 31, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I like it this game. Very interesting story. Good engine, good graphic. Hard but interesting.… Expand
  44. tooshortFred
    May 10, 2021
    8
    Really really polished game. Beautiful game as well. If only the runs weren't so freaking long!!! Definitely worth a play though.
  45. Dingobaron
    May 7, 2021
    10
    Game of the Year. Got a message for all the haters: git gud

    Perfect gameplay, perfect difficulty (suck it up), perfect without a save feature whatsoever
  46. Cjmojica
    May 6, 2021
    10
    I just beat the game. What an experience! Returnal has the perfect blend of gameplay, sound, story, and graphics. It’s like if alien movies. Doom games, a rave concert, and the live, die, repeat movie had a love child. I could not put this game down. Hated every day of work this week because I just wanted to play again and see if I could make it further than I did before. Loved the levelI just beat the game. What an experience! Returnal has the perfect blend of gameplay, sound, story, and graphics. It’s like if alien movies. Doom games, a rave concert, and the live, die, repeat movie had a love child. I could not put this game down. Hated every day of work this week because I just wanted to play again and see if I could make it further than I did before. Loved the level designs (especially the last one) and loved the boss fights. I understand some people complain about difficulty, repetition, and no save feature, but the first two were all things I loved about this game and the save issue should not be a problem for most. Let me explain -
    Challenging games are obviously for some, but not all. You know what type of gamer you are, and I love tough but rewarding games. It’s never too tough though in my opinion. The repetition is like so gratifying as you learn layouts and can start to navigate through the zones and kill enemies with skill and experience. I can’t express enough how fun the game play loop is in this game. Super addictive! The lack of saving a run is a feature I agree they should add, but if you can put your PS5 in sleep mode, and come back to it, this is a non-issue. I never lost a single run this way. If you like challenging games, sci-fi, shooters, and enjoy playing a game and over and over if the gameplay is the top notch, I highly recommend this. Kudos to the dev team!    … Expand
  47. finnjackson
    Dec 24, 2022
    10
    My favorite PS5 game. Incredible atmosphere, addicting gameplay, perfect difficulty for a roguelike. Hoping for a sequel
  48. inf1n1ty
    Jun 17, 2021
    10
    Addictive, easy to learn but hard to master. I'm glad that I've started after 1.4 patch ;-)
  49. niallaptz
    May 8, 2021
    10
    Returnal is of the highest tier roguelikes to ever release. It is the best so far. I sure hope the developers don’t dumb this game down for anyone.
  50. wolfe_707
    May 4, 2021
    10
    Amazing RougeLike game mixed up with mass effect and dead space atmosphere
  51. snkr_thief
    May 11, 2021
    8
    Does this game deserve a perfect 10? No, probably not. There is definitely room for improvement.
    Does this game deserve a measly 0? There is no way.
    Leaving this review score to outweigh the people leaving 0's on a game they haven't played and have no intentions on playing. People with no reviews to their name except for a fat zero on Returnal. Even if you hate the lack of a save    Does this game deserve a perfect 10? No, probably not. There is definitely room for improvement.
    Does this game deserve a measly 0? There is no way.

    Leaving this review score to outweigh the people leaving 0's on a game they haven't played and have no intentions on playing. People with no reviews to their name except for a fat zero on Returnal.

    Even if you hate the lack of a save system (I've lost progress twice in about 6 hours of playing due to a crash and an unexpected game update), or the game's overall difficulty, you can't deny that the game feels amazing to play and can suck you in for hours at a time. I'm currently loving the atmosphere, the slow-drip story beats, the gunplay, the movement, the audio, the DualSense support is awesome, the particle effects and enemy projectiles are incredible to look at.

    The game, while not perfect, is dope.    … Expand
  52. Embracemind
    May 4, 2021
    10
    On my first play-through towards the end of the game, I really wished I could save mid run, I even found that funny you couldn't do that simple thing. But after completing the game, I noticed that saving isn't really needed because a run really is meant to be enjoyed in a single go, picking up where you left even with all your power ups is like resetting your adrenaline level to zero. IOn my first play-through towards the end of the game, I really wished I could save mid run, I even found that funny you couldn't do that simple thing. But after completing the game, I noticed that saving isn't really needed because a run really is meant to be enjoyed in a single go, picking up where you left even with all your power ups is like resetting your adrenaline level to zero. I did put the PS5 on rest mode just so I can finish the game without interruption, but keep in mind that dying unlocks more items and weapon traits, and it's just now that I realized that, saving mid-run can actually be detrimental to your experience, Returnal does demand a good chunk of your time, it's just that good, hours can fly by playing this without ever feeling tired or overwhelmed . I'm on a new game plus, and for me the game just got ten times better. Difficulty can also be managed, there's a strong aim assist feature which helps a lot, and weapons can all be lethal if you take the time to master and learn their traits, some guns can become so overpowered that they can carry you through the whole game, again the fun here is in unlocking the weapon traits and just not minding dying, because that's exactly what it is for, mastering and unlocking new traits. I'm just raving about how fine this game really is, Housemarque did it again, and I hope it only gets better form now on for them, maybe a new DLC to add more content like other roguelikes do?… Expand
  53. Willar
    May 21, 2021
    9
    A really fun and exciting shooter with some of the best gunplay around. I would say, however, the lack of a save option makes it a difficult recommend to anyone who doesn't have hours of gaming time to dedicate to a successful run.
  54. Ddaygiugno1944
    Jun 12, 2021
    10
    merita il voto top essendo una esclusiva ps come è per il 97% delle esclusive ps, spero che housemarque venga acquisita da sony e quindi entri a far parte della stupenda famiglia dei playstation studio
  55. Cidiust
    Dec 27, 2022
    10
    My first gen actual 9 experience, and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had with a new game!
    Awesome gameplay.
    Awesome Story. (I love how the fused Greek Myth with psychology to create the lore).
    Beautiful soundtrack.
    This game made me appreciate the rogue-like genera even more.
  56. Bebop_01
    May 11, 2021
    10
    Don’t give up before Biome 3. Is it too hard, then you are too weak. Losers don’t understand this game, like they don’t understand brilliant movies. Fantastic title and the first in years to really challenge me. It’s weird that some thought it’s a story game with easy walkthrough, it’s also weird that instead of trying to learn, they rather cry on the internet. Goty for me.
  57. oldshoolboy03
    May 5, 2021
    10
    Returnal una de las grandes sorpresas de este año un juego desafiante, frenético y adictivo que a sabido trasladar de forma magistral el genero roguelike a la tercera persona gráficamente es excelente la música sublime y jugablemente una delicia para todo aquel que es fanatico del genero es una gran opción housemarque a realizado un excelente trabajo con este juego que pasa a ser sin dudaReturnal una de las grandes sorpresas de este año un juego desafiante, frenético y adictivo que a sabido trasladar de forma magistral el genero roguelike a la tercera persona gráficamente es excelente la música sublime y jugablemente una delicia para todo aquel que es fanatico del genero es una gran opción housemarque a realizado un excelente trabajo con este juego que pasa a ser sin duda alguna su master piece un AAA con orígenes indie facilidades a housmaque y a sony por hacer realidad este juego esperemos que un futuro sigan habiendo propuestas tan geniales y originales como esta.… Expand
  58. iMustang
    Jun 7, 2021
    9
    This game is an exhilarating rush from beginning to end, completely changing the way I’ll view rogue-likes from now on. Casting you on an alien planet, the story of Returnal is very much a mystery game of not only how you can return home, but how you arrived there in the first place. In an effort to “break the cycle,” you must figure out how to escape an endless loop of death you findThis game is an exhilarating rush from beginning to end, completely changing the way I’ll view rogue-likes from now on. Casting you on an alien planet, the story of Returnal is very much a mystery game of not only how you can return home, but how you arrived there in the first place. In an effort to “break the cycle,” you must figure out how to escape an endless loop of death you find yourself in while trying to survive. The story then takes two routes; the direct route of assessing your current predicament, and the subtle route of discovering the truth behind it all. Honestly the subtle and thought provoking nature of this story ended up being one of my favorite parts of the game, and even after viewing the secret ending, I’m only 85% sure at best I’ve figured out everything.

    Gameplay wise this game is brutal, but so much fun. I felt as though I was playing a Metroid game in the style of a 3rd person shooter. As you travel the world discovering hidden secrets, you find different items and guns along the way that help you define your style of play. Some items can even give you buffs at the cost of negatives, and weighing pros/cons and risk/rewards along the way adds even more depth to each playthrough. The map also loads its rooms at random from a pool of choices, so each time you die you won’t experience an identical map to the previous one. This adds to the challenge as very few things carry over after death, so I very much recommend patience as you progress forward. I’m amazed technology has come so far that developers can achieve this, and I must say, it’s been some time since I’ve had a game that felt this good to play.

    I’ve had so much fun in the little over a month I’ve played Returnal, and I feel as though my skill as a gamer has once again been pushed forward. Yes I died a lot, and I wasn’t thrilled when I’d have a trophy glitch on me, but this game was truly an experience unlike any I’ve ever had before. Returnal is an absolute must own for any PS5 owner who can handle a challenge, and definitely earns the right to be the systems true first AAA exclusive.    … Expand
  59. jimmate
    May 6, 2021
    10
    this game is tight, the only single downside in the whole game is that runs can last upwards of 5 hours long, and that's without a save point, other than that everything in the game is stellar, top class. they just need to make saving a thing.

    not having a save feature is ok in most roguelikes, but most roguelikes take 30mins - 1hr to COMPLETE a whole run, this game takes 8 - 10 hours    this game is tight, the only single downside in the whole game is that runs can last upwards of 5 hours long, and that's without a save point, other than that everything in the game is stellar, top class. they just need to make saving a thing.

    not having a save feature is ok in most roguelikes, but most roguelikes take 30mins - 1hr to COMPLETE a whole run, this game takes 8 - 10 hours if you manage to complete it all in ONE run.    … Expand
  60. RobKieser
    Jul 5, 2021
    10
    This is a brilliant first foray for veteran developer Housemarque into PS5 territory. Any Playstation fan will know - they produce stunningly beautiful, albeit hellishly punishing shooter games.

    If you happened to miss Super Stardust or Nex Machina - or didn't familiarise yourself with their flavour of game prior to forking over the AAA asking price - that's entirely on you. The game is    This is a brilliant first foray for veteran developer Housemarque into PS5 territory. Any Playstation fan will know - they produce stunningly beautiful, albeit hellishly punishing shooter games.

    If you happened to miss Super Stardust or Nex Machina - or didn't familiarise yourself with their flavour of game prior to forking over the AAA asking price - that's entirely on you. The game is a sublime and nuanced shooter. It's a joy to engage in the combat, and the storyline offers a satisfying degree of intrigue to keep you picking up the controller after work.

    A polished and satisfying experience well worth the full asking price.    … Expand
  61. sarcasm83
    May 11, 2021
    9
    Absolutely loved this game. I was very close to wanting to give it a sincere 10/10, as I really enjoyed it that much and gnawed all the content it had to the very bone and still went back to play runs just for fun. Even went back to beat the now-optional bosses, as they were really nothing short of audio-visual spectacles!
    I've never considered myself a very good (or hardcore) gamer and    Absolutely loved this game. I was very close to wanting to give it a sincere 10/10, as I really enjoyed it that much and gnawed all the content it had to the very bone and still went back to play runs just for fun. Even went back to beat the now-optional bosses, as they were really nothing short of audio-visual spectacles!
    I've never considered myself a very good (or hardcore) gamer and therefor have skipped playing the borderline intimidatingly challenging "Soulsborne" titles, but this clicked and.. man it felt satisfying. Not only was there some kept progress between the runs in opening up weapon perks, better artifacts and items to the rotation etc. but the "real life xp" of you slowly starting to master the game. I never really got frustrated or annoyed by the challenge.

    What ended up dropping the one point from 10 is that the story, in the very ending (true ending) was still too vague for my tastes. I would've loved to get a little more true exposition to (saying this without spoiling anything) what went down surrounding the "main event" that things quite revolve around, as well as the relationships depicted. The game makes you guesswork what things mean and it would've been more satisfying, had there been just that... something that affirms and clarifies some things. Never did expect the story to be spoonfed though. But being left in full completion with this many questions feels a little frustrating.

    Another thing that I can see as problem, is the lack of "save and exit" -> "resume" that'd enable the PS5 to be turned off or used in other ways if your run is left unfinished due to real life responsibilities or so. I personally didn't struggle with it and had ample time, luckily, but for anyone living in a household with multiple people and limited days they can play on, I can definitely see how it'd be a frustrating factor that the game would either demand your un-interrupted time OR holding the PS5 (and it's auto-update feature) hostage if suspending a run.
    I hope they can solve it somehow, while still not opening the game up to save scumming of all sorts, so everyone wins.

    With that said, the game seemed to also be more forgiving in giving the game a solid midgame checkpoint and very well thought out biome checkpoints as well as a few tools that make moving around a much faster task.

    Fantastic overall package that I can wholeheartedly recommend to every PS5 owner. If not 100% your cup of tea, then pick from a great future sale. It's also much more fun to play, than it is to watch. Simply satisfying.

    Also just got my Pulse 3D headset today and Returnal sounds amazing and the directional audio is a massive help in creating situational awareness. So if you're struggling, give a headset a go.. it just might give you a better grasp on how to avoid threats. After all, I think every wired headset should support the 3D tech if plugged in the controller.    … Expand
  62. MarcyR
    May 18, 2021
    10
    Excellent Game Play, the best controls I have ever experienced on console. The Souls series is dethroned in this discipline. For me personally a perfectly paced balanced/combat system. Very good visuals. I had only a single frame drop issue in my 56 hours platinum experience.

    A very underestimated point is the sound (that goes for the PS5 in general). Compared to the PS4, the sound has    Excellent Game Play, the best controls I have ever experienced on console. The Souls series is dethroned in this discipline. For me personally a perfectly paced balanced/combat system. Very good visuals. I had only a single frame drop issue in my 56 hours platinum experience.

    A very underestimated point is the sound (that goes for the PS5 in general). Compared to the PS4, the sound has evolved by light years in connection with a neat home theater system. Returnal has excellent sound mixing, bandwidth and a very good surround sound localization.

    From a marketing perspective, however, I have to admit a few mistakes. Due to the considerable degree of difficulty, I find the publication as a mainstream title misleading. Not every customer informs themselves about reviews before buying. Even as a veteran in this genre, getting started was definitely not easy. Inexperienced people or people with a different approach towards gaming can get frustrated very quickly. This game is for enthusiasts.    … Expand
  63. DevilsDivide
    May 4, 2021
    9
    This game is very cool. It’s rogue like game with some metroidvania elements. What can I ask more? Played tons of rogue-like and this will be one of my favourite. Graphic style is interesting. Something from H.S.Higer. Levels are huge. HUGE! But I miss some interesting secret room... Or interesting minibosses. In proportion to the size. When you finish levels IN ROW you miss very much. IThis game is very cool. It’s rogue like game with some metroidvania elements. What can I ask more? Played tons of rogue-like and this will be one of my favourite. Graphic style is interesting. Something from H.S.Higer. Levels are huge. HUGE! But I miss some interesting secret room... Or interesting minibosses. In proportion to the size. When you finish levels IN ROW you miss very much. I know it Because when I finally died saw some plot rooms and secrets that weren’t there. It’s not minus or plus. Really. The game shines after 10+ hours. Weapons... There are tons of weapons to choose from (combined stats+perks). But not many of them are effective. And I don’t see any combination with artifacts. It will be very nice to see some artifacts that alter your weapon. Not % damage. Overall game is fantastic. Thank you so much for it!… Expand
  64. vicvega30
    Jun 8, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game play is fantastic. The graphics are amazing and the story is unexpectedly creepy and mysterious. Didn’t give it ten because it needs a mid run save system. But I bet that’ll
    Be easily patched.    … Expand
  65. adam2345
    May 3, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great visuals
    amazing gameplay intriguing story best use of Dualsense 3 Audio is incredible Challenging satisfying combat    … Expand
  66. jax2321
    May 3, 2021
    10
    Update reciew: increasing my score from 8 to 10 after beating the last boss, what a game l, I really didn't expected it to be this good coming from an indie studio with only 80 developers! Well done Housemarque!
  67. frogginbullfish
    May 15, 2021
    10
    Addicting gameplay, great music, great story. This game has it all. Love every minute of it
  68. Vanvejar
    May 8, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. El juego me ha parecido espectacular, alta dificultad muy bueno técnicamente, es muy difícil pero te motiva a seguir intentando, de lo mejor que he probado este año, totalmente recomendado para quien quiera un desafío.… Expand
  69. BruceThePro
    Nov 23, 2022
    10
    Great story, great gameplay, great game. Returnal and Hades might be the best roguelikes on the market right now. Highly recommended.
  70. aviralj
    Jan 17, 2022
    10
    I must say that this is one of the finest games I have played. The game is reasonably difficult, the story is convoluted but directed incredibly well. If you like a challenge you'll have a blast playing this one.
  71. Valvados
    Jun 1, 2021
    9
    Housemarque are masters in term of fun and crisp gameplay. The storytelling is minimalistic but the atmosphere is verry dense and effective. The use of the Dualsense controller is verry good too.
    It is challenging but rewarding.
  72. gillibrand
    Jun 21, 2022
    10
    Best PS5 exclusive I've played. Fast, fluid, challenging, and plain fun.

    Roguelikes aren't my favorite style, but it works well here since there are a lot of permanent unlocks, shortcuts, and a checkpoint eventually. Like Hades, your rebirths are integrated into the story. Only disappointment is that the first bosses are all great, with the 3rd one being over the top amazing. None of    Best PS5 exclusive I've played. Fast, fluid, challenging, and plain fun.

    Roguelikes aren't my favorite style, but it works well here since there are a lot of permanent unlocks, shortcuts, and a checkpoint eventually. Like Hades, your rebirths are integrated into the story.

    Only disappointment is that the first bosses are all great, with the 3rd one being over the top amazing. None of the later ones come close.    … Expand
  73. Armin95
    May 21, 2021
    10
    One of the best games i ever played in my life and it is a challenging game and i love it.
    4k Tv + PS5 + Dualsense + 3D Pulse Head set + Returnal = Dream
  74. PlayerNicely
    May 4, 2021
    10
    I really liked the game, I once played rogue like games, but they scared me off with their unreal difficulty, but after playing and finishing the game for several times, I can say that this game is amazing, game play is full of action, although the story may not surprising, but it is very atmospheric and quite interesting, and this game can suit people even who are not used to difficultI really liked the game, I once played rogue like games, but they scared me off with their unreal difficulty, but after playing and finishing the game for several times, I can say that this game is amazing, game play is full of action, although the story may not surprising, but it is very atmospheric and quite interesting, and this game can suit people even who are not used to difficult games, because it is not so difficult and you quickly get used to the process itself, in any case, I am glad that I acquired this game and got a new experience. For me this game is one the best in 2021.… Expand
  75. fabiomcarpi
    May 19, 2021
    9
    I’ve never played a roguelike or rogue lite before this game but decided to give it a try.... I have to say the gameplay alone made the purchase worth it, now add to that a very interesting and mysterious world, enemies, weapons and you get yourself an awesome game. Took me 34 hours to beat the final boss so the main game itself has a pretty good length. The only thing that pushes it backI’ve never played a roguelike or rogue lite before this game but decided to give it a try.... I have to say the gameplay alone made the purchase worth it, now add to that a very interesting and mysterious world, enemies, weapons and you get yourself an awesome game. Took me 34 hours to beat the final boss so the main game itself has a pretty good length. The only thing that pushes it back is the story, it is very captivating and mysterious but it leaves a bit too much open after the ending. Seriously, if you like a challenging but rewarding game, this is for you.… Expand
  76. DjICEakaCJ
    May 12, 2021
    10
    Is it a hard game? Yes! But let me get this straight.... people here complaining about save feature obviously haven’t progressed from the first boss! Every time you beat a boss you never have to fight him again and trust me each run afterward is 40-1 hour max to beat the next boss! There are so many shortcuts in the game (even a midway checkpoint )that should make the game feel rewarding!Is it a hard game? Yes! But let me get this straight.... people here complaining about save feature obviously haven’t progressed from the first boss! Every time you beat a boss you never have to fight him again and trust me each run afterward is 40-1 hour max to beat the next boss! There are so many shortcuts in the game (even a midway checkpoint )that should make the game feel rewarding! Im a normal skill gamer and i’ve beaten the game in just 13 tries just by getting my preferred gun choice and always moving never staying idle because you can get killed pretty quick! My advice if you got stuck on the third biome boss try to lever up only on the first biome and then just get straight to the third and go along there is no need to play the second one ! Ive done it that way and as long as you feel the movement of the game the third boss will be out of the way pretty quickly! (Tip: while using the hookshot your are not taking any damage so spam it if you can)
    So overall its a brilliant though provoking game that needs to be experienced by gamers and if the price doesn’t suit you what for it a bit but trust in the power of Housemarqe ! They now how to make a game that sticks with you!    … Expand
  77. xmballd
    May 11, 2021
    10
    Returnal is a amazing game, but you need to understand its concepts. Returnal is a roguelike, a new genre in AAA games. It is a hard and punitive style of game, but once you get used to it, it becomes pretty easy. Even during all the process to learn the game, the fun is always there. I see people complaining about save points and I say that they didn't try the game for a reasonable time.Returnal is a amazing game, but you need to understand its concepts. Returnal is a roguelike, a new genre in AAA games. It is a hard and punitive style of game, but once you get used to it, it becomes pretty easy. Even during all the process to learn the game, the fun is always there. I see people complaining about save points and I say that they didn't try the game for a reasonable time. Once you beat a boss, it becomes optional in new runs. Once you die in a advanced bioma, you get shortcuts do them next time. I see people complaining that you need to play all the previous biomas again to get upgrades. That is half true. It's interesting to play, but every time you arrive in a new bioma, you get some upgrades to equalize your level of proficiency. With all that said, I believe Returnal is challenging but fair game. I just suggest that you search more about the game style (roguelike) in order to not evaluate it in an unfair way.… Expand
  78. M4N0R4F43L
    Oct 13, 2022
    9
    Minha primeira experiência no gênero Rogue like. O game tem uma trama envolvente e intrigante somado a uma gameplay fluída e bem explicativa. A dificuldade é bem punitiva, digamos que acima da média. Irei buscar a platina agora
  79. AdrianG86
    May 8, 2021
    10
    Fantastic game. I wasn't expecting this title to be so fun and addictive when I saw the first trailers last year. The gameplay is top notch and I love the fact that you can have different runs based on the weapon and equipment you choose to use. If you love cosmic horror than this story is for you and it's told in a very intelligent way which I appreciate! If you have a PS5 get this game.Fantastic game. I wasn't expecting this title to be so fun and addictive when I saw the first trailers last year. The gameplay is top notch and I love the fact that you can have different runs based on the weapon and equipment you choose to use. If you love cosmic horror than this story is for you and it's told in a very intelligent way which I appreciate! If you have a PS5 get this game. It's difficult but not as hard as you would think. Especially if you find the right equipment . Highly recommended!… Expand
  80. Chyno
    May 16, 2021
    9
    uno de lo mejores rogue like que he jugado, me gustaria que salieran mas juegos de este tipo. Por ponerle una negativa, que mejoren un poco las texturas.
  81. BetoVip
    May 5, 2021
    10
    Não é para facos, fracos vai dar nota baixa, mas se você gosta de um desafios como eu, vai se maravilhar com este game.
  82. Aquaplay
    May 31, 2021
    10
    Jogo extremamente desafiador com excelentes mecânicas, gráficos bem legais, som 3d muito bacana, dualsense sendo muito bem utilizado, recomendadissimo.
  83. Ivanx666
    May 9, 2021
    8
    Игра хорошая, первый рогалик в который я играю, и я в восторге, если к левел дизайну есть вопросы, то в плане геймплея просто бомба
  84. trihex
    May 5, 2021
    10
    Incredible story, pushes the Rogue-like genre forward.

    This game is an incredibly smart rogue-like and I'm only starting to appreciate their subtle design decisions. While it doesn't have much permanent progression by way of buffing your character, you progress in a more Metroidvania style: You'll get more tools to reach previously inaccessible loot, resulting in stronger runs as you    Incredible story, pushes the Rogue-like genre forward.

    This game is an incredibly smart rogue-like and I'm only starting to appreciate their subtle design decisions. While it doesn't have much permanent progression by way of buffing your character, you progress in a more Metroidvania style: You'll get more tools to reach previously inaccessible loot, resulting in stronger runs as you progress, not because you simply "deal X% more damage" but because you can now grapple hook to those high places and find more money/health/artifacts.

    The Malignancy/Repair system is brilliant, and turns each run into a puzzle: I choose to pickup malignant items because I'm greedy, but now suffer a few debuffs....which I can get rid of by completing a quest asking me to change up my playstyle a bit (e.g., get more melee kills, use more consumables, do the active-reload mechanic a bunch of times). This system alone makes Returnal a much more cerebral Rogue-like when you choose to take the risky route of going for malignant loot.

    The story...has an incredible, next level mind**** I"ll just leave it at that.    … Expand
  85. CyberneticState
    Aug 8, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. After playing this game for 110 hours and obtaining the platinum trophy, I can say that Returnal is one of the best games that I have played this year. It's also one that I can see being in my personal list of best games for the 9th generation of consoles. I will say though that this game is NOT for everyone.
    The marketing before its release makes you believe that this is a story driven 3rd person shooter, but its not. It's a hardcore and incredibly challenging roguelite that can be very punishing. The gameplay is the main aspect not the story.
    You play as Selene, an ASTRA space scout who is stuck in a time loop in the planet Atropos, where every time you die, you go back to the beginning. There's permanent upgrades in the form of equipment and weapon traits that make every run easier and runs will get easier because you will become more familiar with enemies and their attack patterns. There's 3 different currency types and one of them is permanent. Once you beat a boss once, you don't have to fight them again.
    The gameplay is fast paced, action packed, and incredibly addicting. It keeps you coming back for more.
    The negatives now:
    No save and quit feature. This feature would have allowed me to play this game more, but without it, I can only play it when I know that I have many hours of free time.
    Triangle being used to pick up items and the grappling hook. More often than not, I want to pick something up and instead I end up grappling to a ledge and vice versa. The grappling hook should have been tied to R1.
    Some enemies towards the end of the game do ridiculous amounts of damage. They can easily kill you in 2 or 3 hits, depending on how big your health bar is.
    If you're a casual gamer with a limited amount of free time, this game is NOT for you. If you're a hardcore gamer who likes difficult games, this game IS for you.    … Expand
  86. mjohnstonmedia
    Jun 9, 2021
    10
    I'm just coming in here to poke fun at the people review-bombing this game who apparently didn't know what this game was going to be like and that it was gonna be harder than your typical game. And that more games like that exist that are fantastic. On the other hand if you're here to complain about a bug that ruined your playthrough or that your save was corrupted when that faulty patchI'm just coming in here to poke fun at the people review-bombing this game who apparently didn't know what this game was going to be like and that it was gonna be harder than your typical game. And that more games like that exist that are fantastic. On the other hand if you're here to complain about a bug that ruined your playthrough or that your save was corrupted when that faulty patch came out, that's justified. As for me I didn't encounter that stuff, and I typically don't play harder games but this game is incredible, top-to-bottom. Good on Housemarque.… Expand
  87. Luna-Charlie
    Aug 28, 2023
    10
    Phenomenal Flow and Gun Shooter Gameplay. Nice Graphics and mysterious Story to let you die over and over again with so much fun to finally have a good build and feel invincible. You have to be frust tolerant (as in every Rogue like) … but it‘s worth it!!
  88. Lucifer_Inferno
    Aug 29, 2023
    10
    Шикарный рогалик что тут ещё добавить, просто поиграйте сами.
  89. casusbely
    May 11, 2021
    9
    Frustrant, énervant mais tellement addictif, Gameplay wowww, audio 3d wowww, graphique wowww alors c'est juste wowww
  90. Tonarimo
    May 3, 2021
    8
    Une belle surprise, le jeu est coriace mais la difficulté n’est pas si insurmontable, on est clairement un cran au dessous d’un soul (vu que tout le monde le compare au jeux de from software). Le gameplay est extrêmement bien calibré et le rendu graphique est bon rien d’incroyable mais tourne sans broncher en 60 fps en 4K dynamique.
  91. UnsoldReview1
    Nov 6, 2021
    10
    A gloomy atmosphere and one of the coolest sound designs in games in general. The gameplay is also fun. The best game of the year for me. It's great that Sony took the Housemarque studio to her family. With such support, these talented guys will make many masterpieces in the future.
  92. carlito72
    Aug 6, 2021
    10
    I’ve played this game for 10 days. Every night.
    I keep dying. Every night. I even didn’t killed the first boss. Practically, I am still at the beginning of the game.
    Every night same struggle, same magic, same fear, same horrorific visions, same deep anxiety even to take a jump. So far, best and horrible at the same videogame experience of my life. I am 48. I play since I was 5, starting    I’ve played this game for 10 days. Every night.
    I keep dying. Every night. I even didn’t killed the first boss. Practically, I am still at the beginning of the game.
    Every night same struggle, same magic, same fear, same horrorific visions, same deep anxiety even to take a jump.
    So far, best and horrible at the same videogame experience of my life.
    I am 48. I play since I was 5, starting from ‘Pong’ with a black and white tv. I am a movie director-writer.
    I actually think I know what is ‘Art’. This is art.    … Expand
  93. mabatvi
    May 9, 2021
    10
    Masterpiece. First step for the new generation. TheSound work with the dualsense garantee a true imersive experience.
  94. andreslop4
    May 8, 2021
    9
    Un auténtico vicio con una dificultad elevada pero a la vez muy gratificante cuando superas niveles. Un auténtico juego next gen sin duda.
  95. Albertwesker959
    May 3, 2021
    10
    Amazing game, graphic, sound and gameplay are all perfect, the loop is amazing.... The only think they should add is a saved system in case you have to turn off you're console
  96. michaeldvi
    Jul 19, 2021
    10
    Very good game, but will test your patience.

    I really enjoyed the mechanics and the feeling of overcoming the games difficulty especially beating each levels boss.

    It’s not a game for the occasional gamer. It’s very unique and definitely a great ps5 exclusive.
  97. Leejith
    Oct 11, 2022
    10
    One of the best 3rd person Shooter games out there period. It's a rogue like game that reminds you off Souls games often. Shooting, Combat, Story, World Design, Audio design, Character Development and Graphics. Returnal has it all. 10/10 for this gem ❤️
  98. Thdragoon
    Jun 12, 2021
    10
    This game is a must play, no questions asked. Reminds me of doom eternal. 10/10
  99. abdalix
    Jul 8, 2021
    10
    Very addictive and lots of fun. I love exploration and combat. Very challenging which is the key why this game is brilliant. Patience pays off. Very satisfying experience and totally worth it.
  100. Dark_Eye12
    May 5, 2021
    10
    Just amazing, the movement, the visuals, the audio, everything is just right
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
1
#1 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 115 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 107 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 115
  3. Negative: 0 out of 115
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 15, 2022
    100
    A perfect example of the performance of the PS5 and all its functions. Great gameplay and the music catches and won't let go until you get to the bottom of it all. But in the end, the final may surprise you unpleasantly.
  2. CD-Action
    Dec 7, 2021
    85
    An unobvious reinforcement of PlayStation’s range of exclusives. You can love Returnal, you can hate it, the feelings can even be simultaneous. Even though it’s tough love, there’s something about this game that makes you scream into a pillow and then try again. And again. And again. [07/2021, p.44]
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Sep 3, 2021
    83
    Returnal has everything you’d expect from an exclusive that comes early in a console’s life-cycle. It shows off everything PS5 has to offer, while delivering a solid roguelike experience. [Issue#254, p.54]
See all critic reviews »