Returnal

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.

The core gameplay loop is definitely not for everyone but the rewards for persisting are well worth pursuing here. The gunplay and movement feels absolutely divine and the “one more run” approach to the gameplay is certainly addictive and unique amongst larger budgeted titles.

It feels immensely satisfying to be sat here in 2021, eons after playing Super Stardust HD on PS3, and see just how far Housemarque has come. Offering a visual bullet hell spectacle, a showcase for the DualSense controller and a rewarding sci-fi narrative woven around the roguelike loop, we can say with unflinching confidence that Returnal is the PS5’s best game to date.

If there's a sticking point to Returnal, it's that it's a big PS5 exclusive that is most definitely not for everyone. It's next-gen beautiful all the way, but if you've never played a game like this before, even all that beauty and amazing design might not be worth the sense of dejection you might feel as the body count starts mounting. Returnal and other games like it will force newer players to ask questions about what kind of games they want to experience. It takes a little bit of weird thinking to relish the prospect of repeated punishment. I recommend it, just for the experience of it. If you're part of that wider audience who wants to give a next-gen roguelike a shot, then be prepared for an awakening. And another one. And … another one.

Returnal is by turns a gloriously dynamic action game and a dark slice of psychological horror. [Issue#259, p.106]

People who love hard video games will find a lot to praise in Returnal, but the haunting beauty of Atropos is surrounded by a harsh environment that will overwhelm those who can't keep up.

This lack of variety in the style of play makes every run feel samey, and they begin to blur together. That leads to a roteness that made me want to put down the game when I was struggling with the difficulty. I like challenging games, but roguelites need to walk a fine line between familiarity and routine. Familiarity is the warm embrace of something that feels like home. Routine is boredom, and it is poison for a game like this.

J’assume cette note j’ai tout adoré dans ce jeu qui est le plus dur auquel j’ai joué (sekiro ng+7 compris) cette difficulté nous force à prendre en compte tout les aspects du jeu mais n’est en aucun cas rédhibitoire je conseille à tout amateur de challenge.

Returnal is a gorgeous, intense, and challenging 3rd-person shooter...that honestly isn't a great roguelike. It combines personal, cinematic storytelling, 3rd-person bullet-hell action, and roguelike elements to create a unique AAA experience. It's certainly not the most revolutionary or "out there" game from a major publisher, but I respect Sony for putting out a game like this. I can't think of any other AAA roguelikes, or at least ones with this much depth and attention to detail. That being said, this isn't a great roguelike. My main flaw with this game is the urge to just play "one more run". A single run in this game can take a few hours, especially. Enemies are unforgiving and hit hard, and death will be frequent, a staple of the genre. Outside of a few items that affect the way you interact with the world, you will lose all your progress upon death. None of your proficiency, currency, items, or health upgrades carry over, and to reach the final boss again, it will take a few hours of repeating this cycle. This makes it one of the most punishing games in the genre, so the urge to continue isn't as prevalent compared to games like Hades and The Binding of Issac. That being said, this is one of the few "truly next-gen-feeling" games I've played. It uses the DualSense controller in very unique ways, and the amount of stunning effects on screen is a treat for the eyes. It's a miracle this game manages to maintain a consistent 60 FPS. I don't know who I would recommend this game to. There are far better and more affordable roguelikes out there, and this game is extremely punishing. Overall, though, I still enjoyed my time with Returnal. It's a solid exclusive.

Good middle of the road game. I do not like roguelikes generally because of how they work, you lose all your stuff or start over after every death. Just not a fun or forgiving way to play even in the slightest. This games story was interesting enough that it made it somewhat worth it to keep playing. The speed and pace of the game are what's keeping this game afloat. I loved the fact you can easily reenter the "void" or world within like seconds after death, so your pacing wasn't destroyed. The bosses were cool but extremely cheap, like almost like dark souls' games cheap with their hitboxes on the character. Decent game if you're on PlayStation, I would never buy the game even for a discount but its free on PSN so why not.

As someone who loved Alienation (even got the platinum trophy), I was excited to see what Housemarque would do next. Sadly, Returnal is a massive letdown. Sure, the graphics and sound are decent, the controls are tight, and the combat starts off feeling like a full 3D Alienation. But that initial excitement vanishes quickly. The roguelike design kills the fun. After every death, you're back at the start with a basic pistol, running through the same levels, fighting the same enemies. Six hours in, and I was still doing the exact same thing. There's almost no real progression, no variety, just repetition. It feels like a never-ending flu dream—confusing, exhausting, and ultimately boring. There’s barely anyone playing online, and no cross-play between PC and PS5. It all feels empty, and soulless like a single demo level. I really wish they made Alienation 2 instead. This isn’t it.

Straight to the point: an outstanding game, one of the worst plats ever made.