Game news Returns: release date, gameplay, scenario, inspirations … we take stock of the exclusive PS5
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Exclusively for the PlayStation 5, Returnal is one of the most anticipated titles of the moment. Directed by the Finnish studio Housemarque (born from the fusion of Bloodhouse and Terramarque), this psychological thriller is coming in the coming days. Future hit or humble title? Before we definitely take this shooter in hand, let’s take stock of the game, its inspirations, its gameplay and its peculiarities.
Down on Atropos, a mysterious alien planet, Selene desperately tries to join ASTRA’s command, but her calls go unanswered. All around them is desolation and the places seem to be in the grip of a storm. Since her suit is intact, she decides in spite of everything to free herself from her shuttle and begins to set foot on this unknown land. Stunned, she discovers that she no longer has a weapon and, despite her vulnerability, sinks into this uncomfortable environment. After the signal she spotted (and what she was on her way to Atropos for), the astronaut discovers the body of a scout and identifies it. The trailer no longer says anything about what she discovered and leaves the viewer in breath because the weapon laid by the heroine is next to the corpse. So far filigree, there should be no lack of twists in Returnal’s plot. Especially since it is based on a well-worn concept that can be very effective when used well: the time warp.
Meeting in an unknown country.
An endless day
Indeed, Returnal’s heroine is stuck in a space-time rift, implying that every death leads to one Flashback Bring back moments before it crashed against Atropos. Like the movie with Bill Murray, Selene will progress by adjusting her actions to match her discoveries so as not to relive them to eternal life the same time routines. And there, no marmot, no snow, and even less Pennsylvania, it will be necessary to penetrate dark places, find your way around enemy caves and encounter creatures ready to do anything to defeat the brave human in combination . To get rid of these critters, the young lady can rely on her fairly large arsenal, as well as a back device with which she can propel herself or, if necessary, dodge enemy blows.
To create the bestiary, the designers took inspiration from marine animals.
Roguelike procédural
Progress is procedural, which means that the environment and the position of the enemies change with every mistake.
The developers have done it: the adventure is primarily focused on survival, and it will be necessary to constantly adapt to the numerous patterns of the enemies, under the penalty of bearing the consequences. Returnal is a punitive and demanding title that responds to the codes of roguelike. It is very dynamic in its mechanics and also offers an original structure in the sense that every death … causes a regeneration of the environment. Specifically, the game uses a system that combines the presence of preconceived areas with random gameplay events. Every time Selene falls into battle, the world around her changes. The map is different, the placement of enemies is no longer the same and their number changes. Returning will require ongoing rehabilitation and everything seems to indicate that it will be anything but a walk in the park. To get rid of the shame in the levels, the player can count on artifacts that provide access to weapons, consumables and various equipment upgrades. If the principle remains classic, however, the developers have indicated that these changes will have an immediate impact on the character and the way he works in combat. By combining the procedural aspect with different gameplay approaches, Returnal aims to offer a unique run for each game. Hopefully the promise isn’t too ambitious.
Dodging will be at the heart of the clashes.
Psychological puzzle
Some events take place from a subjective point of view.
Psychological thrillers oblige, the discoveries Selene will make in her own story will affect her progress. In order for the immersion to be complete, the designers opted for a subjective approach to the situation. When the action phases take place in the third person, certain sequences are experienced from the eyes of the heroine, which can create an emotional connection between her and the player. It is not known what the tenor of the events she will face will be, but in all likelihood the ASTRA scout will find himself at the epicenter of an intrigue that goes well beyond a simple signal. The return shouldn’t be stingy in strong sequences, as the gameplay trailer shows, in which reality mixes with the memories of the heroine. This way of working is very clever as it transcends the development of the player and at the same time offers environments that a priori would have nothing to do in such a production. Returnal is less general than one might fear when the game was announced. It fascinates with its Metroidvania formula and could surprise with its non-linear development. We’re far from having seen all of the exclusive PlayStation 5, but we’ll share all of our impressions with you once the title is in our hands. The app is scheduled for April 30th, so the wait is coming to an end.
Selene is confronted with her own memories.
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By Ayden_, Journalist igamesnews.com
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