Returnal

 PlayStation 5
Returnal Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 115 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 3914 Ratings

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  • Summary: Returnal transforms roguelike gameplay into a third-person shooter where players fight to survive a hostile planet that changes with every death. Players can switch instinctively between firing modes by using a single adaptive trigger and can get right back into the action after dying. PS5’sReturnal transforms roguelike gameplay into a third-person shooter where players fight to survive a hostile planet that changes with every death. Players can switch instinctively between firing modes by using a single adaptive trigger and can get right back into the action after dying. PS5’s immersive 3D audio brings the alien world to life around the player, helping players navigate the intense positional combat.… Expand
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17 Minutes of Returnal PS5 Gameplay

Critic Reviews

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.
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Game Informer
    Apr 29, 2021
    95
    Returnal is a relentless nightmare that’s a dream to play. The journey is full of horror and terrible discoveries, but also unbridled curiosity and wonder. If you have the taste for it, this is an adventure that begs to be experienced.
  3. Slant Magazine
    May 7, 2021
    90
    The more you learn about Selene across the game’s gripping campaign, the easier it is to relate to or agree with her observation that “I deserve to be here.”
  4. Worth Playing
    Apr 29, 2021
    88
    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.
  5. Easy Allies
    Apr 29, 2021
    85
    Returnal is a great debut for Housmarque on the PS5. The $70 price tag may be off-putting for some, but it makes a great case for itself thanks to excellent gameplay, an intriguing narrative, and replayability. It would be nice if some of the areas felt more distinct from one another and there are a few tech issues left to iron out. Regardless, Returnal is a blast to play and worth going down the rabbit hole in search of its secrets.
  6. IGN Spain
    Apr 29, 2021
    80
    Returnal mixes the peculiarities of roguelike with continuous progress that rewards the efforts and dedication of the player, with an enigmatic story that will keep us prisoners of that house that we will visit (or not) in each new attempt. Perhaps it fails in trying to offer an experience like infinite roguelike.
  7. GamesBeat
    Apr 29, 2021
    60
    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.

See all 126 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,328 out of 2007
  2. Mixed: 175 out of 2007
  3. Negative: 504 out of 2007
  1. BeyondTheGames
    May 2, 2021
    10
    Anti-Sony people it's on fire for this game! It's incredible to read so many negative comments where you note that they didn't even touch theAnti-Sony people it's on fire for this game! It's incredible to read so many negative comments where you note that they didn't even touch the game with the absurd things they wrote. Personally I'm more a Nintendo fan but I must recognize that Playstation and Housemarque have done a great job. I consider Returnal a spiritual successor of one of my favorite games of all time, Metroid Prime. And the way the gameplay has been implemented is really addictive. Possibly this game will become a classic for lovers of the genre, for me it's already an indispensable… Expand
  2. BourbNbreath
    May 3, 2021
    10
    Created an account just to praise this game. It's a beautifully punishing soulslite and I've loved every minute of it. Most of the negativeCreated an account just to praise this game. It's a beautifully punishing soulslite and I've loved every minute of it. Most of the negative reviews are petty baselss review bombs, bashing Returnal for not implementing a game mechanic they are used to. This game doesn't need a save feature. It is built to have short or long runs as the biomes are ever evolving dungeons. I had a new discovery on a twenty minute run today that totally changed the game. It lets you to do small challenges and when you have the time you can have a long run and really feel a sense of accomplishment. It's tough but worth it.… Expand
  4. Przemun1304
    May 1, 2021
    10
    A brilliant game. I was sceptical because this is my first roguelike game I have ever played and yes, it is hard af. All souls games seemed toA brilliant game. I was sceptical because this is my first roguelike game I have ever played and yes, it is hard af. All souls games seemed to be hard at the beginning but "practice makes you perfect definitely" so I beated all souls-like game on the market with big smile on my face.
    Atmosphere, sound and graphics are just amazing, gameplay is so addictive. I love this game.
    Well done Housemarque!    … Expand
  5. Joak34
    May 1, 2021
    9
    Juste un mot ." Next-gen ". Ce jeu est tout simplement ce que j'attendais depuis demon's souls et j'en suis pleinement satisfait. Merci sony
  6. Jignacionene
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    Juego muy bueno, espectacular jugabilidad, y muy divertido y adictivo, pero no es un juego para cualquiera por su dificultad
  7. Lonejumper23
    May 2, 2021
    4
    UPDATE REVIEW.... I am dropping my score from 9 to 4. This game completely wastes your time without a save or checkpoint feature. I have putUPDATE REVIEW.... I am dropping my score from 9 to 4. This game completely wastes your time without a save or checkpoint feature. I have put hours into this game since launch and I am done until this feature is added. People don't have time to reply levels over and over again and that novelity wears off quickly. I am done and Returnaling and tradting in this game ASAP for Rachet and Clank, which will have saving and checkpoint features.

    Oringinal review....Yes and this is a Sony Exclusive that just shows off a little of what the PS5 can do. I think this game is incredible but the graphics will be better with games to come. Don't get me wrong and this games story, graphics, ray tracing, use of the PS5 controllers functions and everything is here. I don't mind dying all the time and jumping back in but with no check points or saving options this is really not what games are about these days. People's time is worth that function to be put into this game and then it's a 10. Great first PS5 exclusive and worth the buy because of what it brings to the table for gamers. You need to see it to beleive it!    … Expand
  8. Padrecitomanu
    May 26, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Malisimo, muchos bug y un juego reiterativo con poco criterio de desarrollo. Debería ser clasificado como un indie y no triple A.… Expand

See all 2007 User Reviews

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16
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1
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