“Returnal” Game Review
“Returnal” is the latest offering from Sony. And as a PS5 exclusive (for now anyway) the first PS5 exclusive since the console’s launch. Developed by Housemarque the game is a roguelike psychological horror. With an already unique selling point, the question is. Does it deliver?
The cycle of death
With the beginning of the game giving you pretty much everything you need to know, this game shines in it’s ability to make a simple idea seem complex. Even though it really is just “you die. You keep some key items. And you can choose when to start a new loop.” It still seems complicated at first glance. After a few hours with the game, though, it becomes apparent that this is as much a mental challenge as it is a fast paced shooter.
As previously hinted, you can choose when to start a new cycle. Now with every cycle of death the environment shifts. As much as this can seem like every gamers nightmare this can be used tactically to your own advantage. For example, when you can tell there’s a boss coming up but you’re helplessly outpowered and you know it, start a new cycle and scan a new area for items that’ll hopefully help.
Selene’s story
This is the best of the game. It never gets old and finding the lay of the land around the new areas you’re thrown into with each cycle is honestly refreshing and stops the game becoming boring. Defeating a boss changes the layout to another one too so you’ll always be forced to adapt, there is genuinely no time to rest.
Playing as the main character and finding out what on earth she’s looking for. And what’s happened to her in the past becomes a part of the game that hooks you. I wouldn’t say Selene is the best written character in the game. Rather the things that are happening to her and have happened to her is an addictive question that demands an answer.
