Returnal

Returnal is a third-person shooter roguelike video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released for the PlayStation 5 in April 2021. The game follows Selene Vassos, a deep-space scout who crash-lands on the alien planet of Atropos. She discovers that she is trapped in a time loop, repeatedly dying and returning to the moment of her crash.

The core gameplay loop of Returnal involves exploring procedurally generated environments, battling hostile alien creatures, and collecting resources. When Selene dies, she loses all her acquired weapons, upgrades, and consumables, but retains certain permanent upgrades that aid her in future runs. This roguelike structure encourages players to learn enemy patterns, master combat mechanics, and adapt their strategies with each new cycle.

Atropos is a hostile and atmospheric world filled with a variety of biome-specific enemies and challenging boss encounters. The planet's narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and dream sequences that gradually reveal Selene's past and the mysteries of Atropos. The game is known for its demanding difficulty, requiring precision, quick reflexes, and strategic use of Selene's abilities.

Returnal utilizes the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller extensively, providing haptic feedback for weapon recoil and environmental effects, as well as adaptive triggers for alternate firing modes. The game also features 3D audio to enhance immersion and provide directional cues for enemies. It received critical acclaim for its challenging gameplay, atmospheric design, and innovative use of PS5 features.