I was late to the party on Returnal. I played it for the first time last year after getting introduced to roguelites through games like Hades, and it completely blew me away.
From the second I started playing, I was floored by how beautiful the game looked. For a 2021 release, it still feels incredibly sharp, smooth, and fast. But what really hooked me was the gameplay. The combat is intense, chaotic, and almost hypnotic — the kind of “bullet hell” action where every hit matters and every boss fight has your palms sweating.
I’m not usually a huge shooter guy, but Returnal feels like gameplay perfection to me. The movement is lightning fast, the weapons are all satisfying and unique, and every biome feels dangerous in a different way. The game constantly pushes you forward with that feeling of, “What insane thing am I about to encounter next?”
The first three biomes especially are some of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever had. Every boss fight felt legendary, especially after spending hours dying, learning patterns, and finally overcoming them. Beating the first boss alone felt like a massive accomplishment. The atmosphere throughout those early sections is unbelievable too — eerie, lonely, beautiful, and genuinely stressful in the best way possible.
What surprised me most is that I didn’t even care that much about the story, because the gameplay was so good. The house sequences added some creepy mystery, but for me, Returnal succeeds because it understands exactly what it wants to be: pure gameplay excellence.
I do think the game loses a tiny bit of momentum after the first three biomes, mostly because those opening areas are just that incredible. But even then, the later boss fights and environments are still memorable, especially the fourth biome with its incredible music and atmosphere.
For me, Returnal is a 10/10 game. It’s one of those rare experiences that reminds you why you love video games in the first place. Fast, difficult, atmospheric, rewarding, and unforgettable.
