I have to eliminate any enemy entities so I can farm Obolites (in-game currency) to buy the upgrades I’ve lost and healing items. Instead of going through the pathway to the portal, I decided to explore Overgrown Ruins to look for more Silphiums to max out my suit’s Integrity. I died quickly as I wasn’t fully prepared to face Ixion again. However, pushing through areas without getting back lost items and upgrades has severe consequences.Īfter I died, I generally skipped some of the monsters to quickly get back to the second boss (Ixion), and look where that got me - back in the beginning. Players will face more enemies when they go through doors or will be back to where the portal is to the next biome. To add, the randomly generated areas can either be beneficial or a shortcut to get where the player died. This makes it easier for players to progress and not hinder their goal of finishing the story. There are certain upgrades that players get to bring after they restart a cycle. It has elements of the original 1980s game but with a bit of twist, which makes the game a little more forgiving than its forefather. Plus, games like these will have randomly generated dungeons every time when you pass through a door or portal. You will lose all your progress including weapons and upgrades, and pushed back as far as the beginning of time when you die, and that’s what we call permadeath. These types of games are generally turn-based RPGs with a bit of spice that will make their players highly determined and careful.

The game definitely grows on you, and you may (or may not) forgive its lack of mid-run saves.įor those who are not familiar with the term “roguelike”, it’s a type of gameplay element that’s inspired by the 1980’s game titled ‘Rogue’. That may sound annoying and it gives out a red flag to buyers, but Returnal is surprisingly witty and entertaining. That’s how Returnal makes you think twice of getting another game that has rogue-like elements. You lose everything you worked hard for, and what’s even amusingly frustrating? You go back from the beginning - even when you turn off your PlayStation 5 (PS5). It’s a game that ultimately punishes you when you die. Housemarque’s latest bullet-hell rogue-lite, Returnal, however, makes you spit out your amazing soda and crush nachos in your hand, and fuel your body with fear, tension, and your mind with determination.

Then sit back and relax, grab your DualSense, and importantly, have fun. You open a bag of chips, grabbing those cheesy-flavored nachos, stuff them in your mouth, and munch like there’s no tomorrow. Taking a sip from your favorite mug and taste that carbonated lemon-flavored drink. Playing video games should be an enjoyable interactive media.

Returnal enemies