Returnal

 PC
Returnal Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 148 Ratings

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  • Summary: After crash-landing on this shape-shifting world, Selene must search through the barren landscape of an ancient civilization for her escape. Isolated and alone, she finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Again and again, she's defeated forced to restart her journey every timeAfter crash-landing on this shape-shifting world, Selene must search through the barren landscape of an ancient civilization for her escape. Isolated and alone, she finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Again and again, she's defeated forced to restart her journey every time she dies.

    Through relentless roguelike gameplay, you'll discover that just as the planet changes with every cycle, so do the items at your disposal. Every loop offers new combinations, forcing you to push your boundaries and approach combat with a different strategy each time.

    Brought to life by stunning visual effects, the dark beauty of the decaying world around you is packed with explosive surprises. From high stakes, bullet hell-fuelled combat, to visceral twists and turns through stark and contrasting environments. You'll explore, discover and fight your way through an unforgiving journey, where mystery stalks your every move.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. TouchArcade
    Feb 15, 2023
    100
    In its current state, Returnal perfectly suits the Steam Deck, and it runs quite well given the hardware, with visual cutbacks. While it isn’t as nice as playing on PS5 of course, I’ve found myself enjoying Returnal on the go quite a bit thanks to the suspend feature and sublime core gameplay. It also helps that Returnal on PC arrives at a lower asking price with all prior updates included from the start making it a super-polished version of one of Sony’s best exclusives in years.
  2. God is a Geek
    Feb 15, 2023
    95
    Returnal on PC is just as stunning as it ever was, with a high level of detail in its environmental design and layered gameplay.
  3. PCMag
    Feb 28, 2023
    90
    Returnal arrives on PC two years after making a splash on PS5, packing many exclusive features that make this version the one to beat—if you've got the rig to handle it.
  4. The Games Machine
    Feb 22, 2023
    88
    Returnal might not be the mind-bending masterpiece that I was, perhaps mistakenly, expecting after the praise I’d heard from friends and colleagues, but it’s still an excellent roguelike with clean gameplay and a beautiful presentation. Word of warning though: the length of each run combined with the difficulty might make it frustrating for some, and graphical optimization relies heavily on the use of supersampling technologies.
  5. Vgames
    Feb 15, 2023
    85
    New year, same old philosophy by Sony: If a game that was only available on PS5 comes to PC, makes sure it has all possible features, works great, has awesome optimization, controls fantastically and gives the best experience it can to its users.
  6. GameOver.gr
    Mar 19, 2023
    80
    Returnal for PC brings technical improvements while retaining the excellent gameplay and overall feel of the PlayStation 5 version. It’s a must play title for roguelike fans, but mainstream gamers that want to experience Returnal’s highly addictive fast bullet hell gunplay should be armed with a lot of patience.
  7. 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’.

See all 47 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 47
  3. Negative: 8 out of 47
  1. krzr
    May 6, 2023
    10
    Unfortunately (since it's a port) it's GOTY for me. I love rogue-lites, action and deep, complex story/lore. Also, this game is very wellUnfortunately (since it's a port) it's GOTY for me. I love rogue-lites, action and deep, complex story/lore. Also, this game is very well optimised, has dualsense support, very nice controls and movement. I was entertained all the way through. The only thing I didn't like were the unbalanced weapons.… Expand
  2. PanteraHouse
    Feb 17, 2023
    10
    Game is a solid 9/10 but I'll give it 10/10 cuz of some of the babies who didn't look into what type of game it is before playing. "WaaahhhGame is a solid 9/10 but I'll give it 10/10 cuz of some of the babies who didn't look into what type of game it is before playing. "Waaahhh too hard 0/10"… Expand
  4. vladiSPIt
    Feb 16, 2023
    10
    amazing game what a shame this game have 5.2 and hogwarts legacy 9.2 poor gamers
  5. Kramer96
    Feb 22, 2023
    9
    Bella grafica,bel sonoro,storia quasi inesistente e decisamente poco chiara almeno per me ma Gameplay meraviglioso,forse solo per gli amantiBella grafica,bel sonoro,storia quasi inesistente e decisamente poco chiara almeno per me ma Gameplay meraviglioso,forse solo per gli amanti del genere visto la difficoltà… Expand
  6. TavorX95
    Feb 18, 2023
    8
    I really like this game, video game stories are so boring and not well thought out almost all of the time, being short and vague really helpsI really like this game, video game stories are so boring and not well thought out almost all of the time, being short and vague really helps this one. Akin to Dark Souls "lore". If you don't care about the story it's quick to get through or even skip most of it. If you care it's at least mysterious, has some serious end of Inception vibes of the "what is really happening" sort. The gameplay is smooth, the action is fun, it doesn't have a lot of weapons but each weapon is so different it is enough that I never feel like I want more. There are certainly a few I prefer and some I very much dislike but that's to be expected. A Returnal 2 could definitely improve on this.

    This is not going to be a game for everyone. It does have elements where you have to decide to challenge yourself (like a pistol run) or not. The visuals are great, the framerate is smooth. It's a good PC port. Don't know what else to say. Not the best game I've played but I really enjoyed beating this one and going back and doing some challenge runs. Being able to use a mouse and keyboard does make this game much easier (for me at least) than the PS5 version due to the increased accuracy and movements from mouse and keyboard.    … Expand
  7. Pmstz
    Feb 17, 2023
    7
    nice game
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  8. metacriticLOL
    Feb 22, 2023
    0
    It's mid and very repetitive, feels like a tech demo more than a game. If you have to get it, I would wait for a sale, around $10-$15 is theIt's mid and very repetitive, feels like a tech demo more than a game. If you have to get it, I would wait for a sale, around $10-$15 is the appropriate price I definitely wouldn't recommend paying more than that.… Expand

See all 47 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2023
18
#18 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

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