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Returnal,1 Year. 85 deaths. 33 hours.

Got Returnal one month after its launch for 35€. First Biome gave me some trouble but I overcame the allien armies after couple hours and then comes the second biome, there I found first time in my life a game with a boss fight that frustrated and devastate me to no end. I tried everything, watching guides, farming both biomes, going fast, slow etc but damn that mad fucker on the end of the level just was sharpening his skills on me. I loved the gameplay and how well it was flawing, the transitions in combat and running are so fluid that until now there was no other game that made me want to play it just to decimate the population of the planet. But my fun stopped when I met the second biome BOSS, he made me quit the game for almost a year. I always wanted to go back at it, so after finishing Elden Ring, Forgotten West and then Demon Souls I wanted something that has no rpg or leveling elements.
Came back to it and saw my nightmare was still there waiting to destroy me, after some tries I best him….. After one whole year I defeated the fucker. The rest of the game went like the first biome, with couple attempts I passed the levels without much issues and the last boss at the ``first´´ attempt (had activated the cloning device).
I loved the game more than the last 3 games I played, but it has some flaws that I hope the next game improves on it (I hope there is a second one). The game Hades had some aspects better, you start the cycle and choose your weapon and some general skills and while you are doing the cycle then you expand on your build, I think that would help better instead of starting with the Pistol and then searching a better weapon and not finding the one you like to use. That way even the Pistol could be a viable weapon (there were runs that I only used that and it was fairly good up until the Boss).

Best weapon – the rot/poison thrower and the electric web. Worst weapons were the two that needed you to be closer, these were doing the most dmg, I was melting everything but when you are fighting the boss you want to keep distance and both were underwhelming against the bosses.

P.S. activate the option always running to make the game smoother and you don’t have to worry pressing one extra button (just careful, the jumps need getting used to it).
 
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SkylineRKR

Member
Its an evergreen, I still play it. Especially since the survival update.

Its not really about the upgrades either; its the weapon perks. And trying not to be greedy. A lot of deaths were because I decided to take that malignant item that happened to have a status I couldn't easily remove. I've had succesful runs with worse rolls, but no stupid decisions.

I'd say the most important upgrades are defense, and health points. Then attack power. Stuff like overload bonus dmg etc is just icing on top.

Early on I would always take Blade Enhancer (extra rooms with resin or upgrades). Shield resin is very good too, free shield on health pickup. And my personal favorite upgrade is shield disruptor. It means you can -always- keep safe distance, it changes the game imo. Esp. if you have something like carbine, hollowseeker or full auto rocket launcher. It will always proc every salvo.

Weapons are pivotal. I beat the game with a level 16 ish Hollowseeker because it had a god roll. I wouldn't quickly swap out a full auto, replicating hits etc Thermo launcher too. Or Leech rounds rising pitch carbine. This means that you will constantly regen health against bosses. Esp. if you happen to have that perk that gives health very overload level back (which trivializes the final stage because of the amount of enemies).

I agree that the starting weapon can be an issue. RNG can lock you out of weapon drops and you can be pitted against an elite in the first secret room, it happens.

Always run should be on by default. I don't see why not. And I used melee and dash on shoulder buttons.
 
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SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
Worst weapons were the two that needed you to be closer,
Thats actually the best weapon in the game. It just needs to be leveled up with expanding shards and exploding shards traits that make it a viable as a range weapon.

Here is me destroying the final boss with Level 3 Expanding and Exploding Shards. The only problem is that it took forever to level it up.

 
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Kokoloko85

Member
I love it. That classic Housemarque arcade gameplay but now in a bigger game. Such…. Organic growth haha

Its mostly all Ive played while studying...
Endless mode and coop has given it long legs.

24million on endless mode. Yes Im showing off lol
 

Kokoloko85

Member
Thats actually the best weapon in the game. It just needs to be leveled up with expanding shards and exploding shards traits that make it a viable as a range weapon.

Here is me destroying the final boss with Level 3 Expanding and Exploding Shards. The only problem is that it took forever to level it up.




Hmmm you might have convinced me to use it. I hate it.

Lobber with explosion and tentacle level 3 is my favourite
 
I guess I'm the minority, I wanted to like this game, and I kind of do, but more so for the atmosphere, the game itself, I just don't like, it's not fun, I don't like the systems, the enemies are kinda meh. But hey glad you stuck with it and got your money's worth, in hindsight, I wouldn't have purchased it at full price, this was a great example a demo game, which sadly they did not do.
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
Weapons are pivotal. I beat the game with a level 16 ish Hollowseeker because it had a god roll. I wouldn't quickly swap out a full auto, replicating hits etc Thermo launcher too. Or Leech rounds rising pitch carbine. This means that you will constantly regen health against bosses. Esp. if you happen to have that perk that gives health very overload level back (which trivializes the final stage because of the amount of enemies).
This is good advice. Weapon perks are far more important than Weapon level. Leach Rounds were probably the reason why I beat biomes 4-6 on my first run. Leach Rounds 3 + Rising Pitch 3 is hilariously OP. You heal every second.
 

Markio128

Member
I still need to get around to ‘fully’ completing the game - the next drought will be the perfect time to get back into it. It’s defo in the top 3 games of this gen for me though - it has that arcade charm, where the gameplay never feels old.
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
Hmmm you might have convinced me to use it. I hate it.

Lobber with explosion and tentacle level 3 is my favourite
It absolutely melts mobs and mini bosses because those shards seek out other enemies. Expanding shards do more damage the farther away you are. It makes a mockery of the game. Here is me using it in the toughest challenge room in the game. Those flayers stood no chance. I didnt even have to aim.

 

Bo_Hazem

Banned
Easily GOTY2021

6i834n.jpg
 

SkylineRKR

Member
All I need are 4 survey trophies. That shit is annoying to get, completely random. I think I miss just one log on stage 5.
 

Alebrije

Member
Finally played it thanks to Pplus Extra.

Te Game atmosphere is great but it's hard as hell,. It's harder than Hades or. Nier games ...as OP I AM still stuck on desert biome's BOSS but hope to beat it next days.

It's sad this Game does not has more easier ways to beat it because looking on the trophys a lot of players left it unfinished.

The Game is basically a 1942 arcade Game but 3d...
 
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reektann

Member
I recently finished this after dropping it for some time. I ended up even doing the secret ending stuff as I got so into the flow. Ended on 21 hours and 16 deaths.

It seems super hard to begin with then you just get a lot better.

I found having always run on and turning off the dual sense trigger stuff was much better for me - really couldnt get on with the half trigger pull setup.
 

Chronicle

Member
I'm liking it alot but the start over bullshit just doesn't do it for me. It's not like souls games where you eventually start to level up your character enough to progress. But the start all over with nothing... fuck that. I'm saving as I go and enjoying my experience. Wish they just had a save feature or make the upgrades and enhancements a bit easier to earn. I wish they made more linear games. To me this game is enjoyable just as is. Not into the reset on death.
 
I finished it a couple days ago, I didn't enjoy it as much as some here.

The roguelike elements aren't that well done, there's basically no permanent upgrades like Hades has, just necessary upgrades such as melee attacks or traversal mechanics, so you never feel like you're getting stronger, also there's no build diversity to be had as artifacts are rare as hell, I barely got 5-6 per complete run, and they didn't feel like they'd completely change the way I played the game, just nifty little quality of life things. Hades is entirely the superior game here.

The controls and gameplay are good, but enemy diversity is kinda shit, plus the tactics for every fight is basically stay away and shoot at the enemies until their lifebar runs out, it gets kinda stale after a while, just dodging sideways and pumping clip after clip of homing bullets into same looking enemies.

The story is poorly told and not all that interesting. I liked the atmosphere initially and it seemed like a good mystery was being set up, but it turned to shit by the end of act 2. I don't think I'll be spending the 70+ hours needed to grind out the rest of the random logs & collectibles for act 3 & the platinum.

Selene is also uninteresting with not much to say or do, aside from bland insights into her little life while doing a walking simulator impression of storytelling.

It's sort of fun and the coop is sort of fun too, but it is extremely repetitive. Putting it down after finishing act 2, 27 floors of the tower, plus some coop runs.

I'm torn reviewing this, I kinda enjoyed some parts but disliked the story and the way it's told. Unsurprisingly, this would've most likely been more coherent as a normal 3rd person action game without the roguelike elements and restarting the game over and over.
 
I stopped shortly after beating the second boss. I haven't even made it to the 3rd Biome boss yet. I need to get back to it. I see what you did there with "Forgotten West". Kinda harsh. haha. I'm 60 hours into that game with still tons to do . . .
 

Elbereth

Member
Jus beat the first boss and wow… Cant believe I’ve waited this long to play it.

Definitely a lot of gambling involved lol.

I’ve died many, many times die to simply bad judgement calls.
 

Sosokrates

Report me if I continue to console war
Ive played a few hours. Im enjoying it, i like how the levels change, and how alive the world is (the tentacle enemies,the worlds, the particles).
It feels different and I like that.
 
Been wanting to jump back in.

For those who've played the co-op, how is it? Can I jump right in with a matchmaking player, or do I have to go through a bunch of hoops to "unlock" co-op?
 

Barrico82

Banned
I can't believe i have beaten this game, Biome 3 gave me nightmares the hardest thing i have ever exposed to in the recent years.

Then come Biome 4 and it was worth, my favourite gaming moment in this new generation and one of the best gaming moments ever
 

coffinbirth

Member
Really glad to hear this game has legs, will be one of the first games I play once I get my mitts on a PS5.
I've loved most the games these guys have made over the years, so this one intrigues me.
 

Hestar69

Member
One of the most over rated games I've ever played...I do not see the hype..It's an OKAY game at best. I'm on biome 5 atm and will try to beat it,but yeah I'd give it a 6/10 atm

edit:

Never mind 4/10

I forgot co-op is broken as fuck and THREE times me and my friend made it to biome 3 boss and EVERYTIME,he just fell to his death or got black screened.
 
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Lunarorbit

Member
Havent tried it yet but I think I'll borrow it from the library this week. I'm really encouraged that so many people play it long after they beat it. I've only seen I think 2 biomes online so I've managed to stay spoiler free
 
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