Returnal got a big old update this week — a patch so significant that it has its own name. The so-called Ascension update (which is totally free if you own the game) adds online co-op play, as well as the Tower of Sisyphus, which is a new challenge mode. It's the kind of update that's designed to add value to Returnal as a package, while also drawing lapsed players back into the fray. You can read much more about Returnal and Ascension in our hefty Returnal guide.
With all that in mind, we want to know if you're playing Returnal again. Are you blasting your way through the chaotic shooter right now? Or perhaps this update has convinced you to pick Returnal up for the first time? Whatever your stance, vote in our polls, and then remember to reload in the comments section below.
Comments 62
I'll get to it - everyone says the tower is really good
Ive not even played the base game. Ive been toying eith it for ages but with my limited time and the ammount ive got to play i dont think i can hack the gameplay loop. I really liked Hades and loved the art and the setting but alas, another that i didnt manage to beat.
Oh yes back on returnal, such a great game and having not played it for a while after getting the plat forgot how amazing it was.
I just had a few things left to wrap up in Returnal, but haven't had the time to get back to it.
There are too many great games on the go atm, but I'll definitely get back to this in the next few months. I have a friend in work who wants to get it so I'll probably do co-op with them too at some point.
It's an incredible game.
The tower is really really good. It's given an extra dimension to the game and is lots of fun.
I still hope the day will come, where I complete Returnal.
I really love this game, but 3rd biom is still killing me, no matter how often I try.
I’m the “I really want Returnal to a degree similar to most 1st party Sony games but I’m still being stubborn and holding out til like 2023-4 for a PS5 so the price of games will be lower, but when I do get one it’ll definitely be one of the games I get with it” guy.
In deep with Elden Ring right now, but hope to try Ascension this summer. Definitely interested in giving co-op a go as well! So great that this was a free update. Returnal is a phenomenal game 🔥
@Kidfunkadelic83 actually, the game isn't that long. It's just very hard. And even if you got the hang of the game. The 3rd of the 6 bioms is so insane tough.
But still, I'll keep this game since it is brilliant.
@Nintendo4Sonic 3rd biome IS brutally hard. Stick with it mate, the end game is so worth it. I’ve completed the game and my nightmare is still opening a chest in 3rd biome and instead getting a bunch of missile drones in my face. 💀
I hate endless mode so no. Sucks because Returnal was my second best game of 2021 but this kind of modes just aren’t for me
After I finish Elden Ring and what feels like a dozen other games that came out in March, I’ll check it out if anyone else I know wants to hop on the co-op and expansion. Feels like a really fun game for co-op, actually. I’m glad they decided to go that route with the game. I liked it a lot of my first go around and the summer seems barren for releases, so I’m sure I’ll be back at some point.
I'm playing and I've just realized it's even harder than the game already was, I'll have to find somebody to play coop if I want to get to "the end" of it.
Returned yeah. And almost "beat" it on my first try. So not super difficult. But its fun to play the game again. Still one of my favorites from last year.
I do hope they patch it though. Sometimes you enter a new area only to have a ridiculous enemy, or mini-boss spawn right next to you, which doesn't really seem totally fair. But other then that, its brilliant.
Nah probably not. Had my fill of the game at launch. Glad to see many are enjoying the new content though!
I want Returnal but feel £29.99 is a more sensible price 🙏🏻
@Ear_wiG there are these moments where I think, I adapt this game, I come so far and than this 1 moment where another hope of reaching the boss is over.
I never felt that I was actually getting better after reaching the 3rd biome - Returnal simply broke my will, and I moved on. Still have the day-one disc, but will probably never come back. It was quite fun, though.
@Nintendo4Sonic You can do it! 💪🏼
Im about to get stuck into it for the evening. Had a quick go earlier and its just what the end game needed.
I'm still playing the normal game atm but I will get to it eventually.
Should be another option of ‘No, I’m waiting for returnal to be sold at a reasonable price’. How’s this game not hit the sales yet?
@Bleachedsmiles It's been on sale multiple times...
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2022/02/new-ps-store-planet-of-the-discounts-sale-live-now-900plus-ps5-ps4-deals
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/12/new-ps-store-sale-live-now-contains-the-game-awards-nominees
Not ashamed to admit that I haven't even beaten Phrike on the first biome yet. Gutted really. Returnal was always going to be a long burn for me (I legit love the game) but was really hoping to just be able to dip into the Tower of Sisyphus 😔
I was all over this DLC the moment it was available for download. I had platinumed the main game and moved on from it when it first came out but this has given me the push to go back and fall in love w the game all over again. It's like video crack it's so addicting!!!
Played last night for an hour and I’m absolutely terrible at it now. Can’t believe I used to play from biome 1-6 beating all the bosses for fun, I’m getting smashed on biome 1 now must be old age 😢
Nah, Returnal was my GOTY for last year but after spending about 180 hours getting the platinum trophy, I can safely say I am done with the game. I also traded it so no longer have the game. Hope everyone enjoys the new content though!
Does anyone know how much progress you must have to access the tower content? I still haven't beat the game lol
@render when £52.49 is your sale price…
Too busy being addicted to Gran Turismo 7, plus after 36 or so hours, I have Horizon Forbidden West to finish off, too. But once that’s sorted, I’m going straight back to Returnal. How I’ve missed it these past few months!
I made a return to Returnal.
Returnal was my favorite PS5 game last year, so good. But, unfortunately I don't see myself ever not playing Elden Ring until maybe 2023.
Heck yeah. Im already kind of over Elden Ring and I feel like playing a difficult game that's actually balanced properly.
Traded this in long ago, couldn't get the final few collectables I needed so gave up. I wouldnt be buying it again for £50. Great game though! If I still had it I'd definitely give this a whirl.
Not gonna lie - the difficulty has put me off getting this. I’m hoping it will eventually come to PS+
@WizzNL yeah, this could really help.
@Ear_wiG thank you. This is definitely a game I will keep. It's way to good to sell it.
Still wishing for the PC version so I can WeMod an easy mode 😅😜
Joking aside. Looks great - but game mechanics are not my cup of tea. So "No" on my end.
Bought it, beat it, sold it. I’ll probably never play it again.
Returnal was definitely a game of the year contender for me. However I am so deep into Horizon at the moment and then when my girlfriend is playing that I’m playing Tunic. Got Elden Ring and Cyberpunk to get through next so god knows when I’ll get round to it! What a cracking year for gaming. I am most overwhelmed!
Nope. I platinumd it when it first came out; and unless it’s campaign dlc then I’ll pass. Loved the game though
Loooove that game so much but it whooped my butt worse than any Souls / Souls-Like out there lol I will absolutely dive in again, but maybe in a year lol
I’ve not played Returnal nearly as much as I’d like, and when I do I still haven’t managed to beat the first boss. So I’ve still got a huge chunk of the game to get through before I even see the new stuff that’s been added!
I’ll play this game when it’s free with PS Plus, whenever that is
Got the platinum for returnal when it first came out and am now playing through with a friend.
And guess where we died. The third level 🤷♂️ Co’op is great though. Happy days 😃
I will be for the tower but really bummed to see no local co-op, only online. Was a really cool feature in thought, but I guess they can't make it happen.
@Blackhur_st @The_Pixel_King I beat all three Acts to achieve the true ending, beat all the bosses, and am only a couple trophies shy of the platinum… and Phrike was probably my biggest obstacle. I think she was the toughest boss for me. Some of the other Biomes are tougher, but as far as bosses, Phrike was such a huge hurdle, so hang in there! Once you get past her, the game, although still difficult, seems to come together a little better from a skill standpoint, imo. You can do it!
For those of you who are new(er) to Returnal, or are coming back after a bit of a hiatus, this new Tower of Sisyphus mode is the PERFECT way to get better at Returnal fast!
This mode will give you a taste of enemies that you won't face until the main game's mission in Biomes 3-5. This will give you a chance to learn their maneuvers and how to counter them. If you're having a hell of a time trying to get through biomes 3-5, try this new mode, and I guarantee that if you give into the highly addictive arcade replay-ability, you'll become a Returnal pro much faster than the traditional route.
(Note: This only applies to those who have defeated Ixion from Biome 2 - which gives you the grapple tool, which is the minimum requirement you'll need to start playing the new Tower of Sisyphus.)
For those still struggling to beat Ixion: watch YT videos on folks beating him. Make sure you complete every room in Biome 1 and 2, to max your health stats, consumables, and weapons.
@Th3solution Yeah, I kinda agree with you! That first boss was quite the hurdle. That and the 3rd boss (Nemesis) were pretty challenging.
I've moved this game back and forth from my external HD to my SSD multiple times over the past several months and have still not played it again since the first weekend. I do want to jump back into it at some point but backlog yadda yadda yadda.....
Of course i'am, Iove this game. My favorite game of 2021 so yeah.
A game like this sorely needs a demo. I love the look and idea of it but I always hate rogue-like game loops. This could be the one that changes my mind on that but I ain't gonna drop so much money on it to find out.
Like most DLC, this is too far removed from the original experience for me to play. My mind and my muscle memory has moved on. I loved Returnal, and I'd have played it if this had come out close to launch while I was playing it but I'm long gone now.
Returnal can never get old just those environs. I have a dream, that we see the same fantastical specularity and particule peacocking on a much grander scale down the line
@Kidfunkadelic83 Same! I got Returnal as a Birthday 2021 gift from my Mom, still haven't even installed the game.
I plan to dive into it soon though...after I replay Horizon Zero Dawn and beat Forbidden West.
@Luigia
Can you qualify why £29.99 is your desired price point? Feels weird that people will pay £15 to see a movie that lasts a couple of hours but not £70 for a game that will entertain you for months. I've spent around 50hrs in Returnal so far. Happy to say I completed it and now am back for an amazing (and free) expansion. Haven't regretted my full price investment once.
@BoomShakAllaker after 12 months of it being released and a rogue like that’s brutally punishing, £29.99 feels about right for the casual players to jump onboard.
£70 for a game isn’t always affordable for a game and a movie at £15 is always gonna be more accessible.
Why is there no option i want to but i cant get a PS5.
Elden Ring is still consuming me, but Returnal is up next! Can't wait, it was my 2021 GOTY.
@Th3solution Thanks dude. I'll keep plugging away ☺️
@Luigia no way! It's a full power complete next-gen game with some of the best graphics/combat/story/sounds ever. Full price is a steal for this game.
@Adranos you had me at FULL POWER
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