Topic: Returnal

@NedStarksGhost Not a pain at all. Thankfully we have spoiler tags to utilize if we want to.

If you’ve not seen it yet, there is a separate spoiler thread for discussion about the Returnal story. I’ve steered clear of it for now, but after finishing it then we can go there to share impressions and theories freely.

@Th3solution I didn't know that, thanks for the heads up. I do love a discussion thread after finishing something!

So I've had a few attempts at Biome 4, and this is definitely more difficult now! I can see this taking me some time to get through!

@NedStarksGhost B4 can feel a little easier after B3 but it has got a few rooms just on the main route that are a challenge. You’ll get the hang of the environment soon though and be back on it again. It’s an awesome level and really builds towards a great boss fight.

@NedStarksGhost Biome 4 and Biome 2 are probably my favorite ones. Biome 3 was my least favorite (but still fun in its own frustrating and soul-crushing way 😅)

@render awesome, can't wait. I think part of it is getting the muscle memory back after playing Uncharted in the week

@Th3solution yeah it's a good biome, the enemies have some interesting moves that challenge you!

@NedStarksGhost I love the whole music thing and how the narrative really starts to ramp up.

@velio84 That is quite literally the case with Biomes 4 and 5.

Think Biomes 2 and 4 were my faves. Biome 2 cos I liked the temple and Biome 4 cos of the journey upto the boss felt almost magical. And that quite possibly it is supposed to be Selene's father.

So had a good run for about 3 hours. Managed to beat Biome 4 (that was an awesome boss) and get through 5. I was very fortunate as I had a parasite that healed me at low integrity and a Caribne with the leech perk which restored health. Without them, most certainly would've been toast.

Sadly on Biome 6 I got, I think, half way. And died by a random enemy because I just was impatient and too into the action. Never mind!

@NedStarksGhost Well done for getting through 4 and 5 in one go. 4 is amazing and the climb up to the boss fight and every thing after is a real highlight.

Some get stuck on 5 for a while so brilliant that your past that. It does up the difficulty some again but feels like a major achievement when you best it. I’m sure you’ll be back on it in no time.

The thing with B6 is just take your time and be patient. Don’t worry about rushing in so much and distance can be your friend.

@NedStarksGhost Yeah well done, although I rinsed through Biome 4 first go, I really struggled with biome 5. I wasn't until I went to back to revisit it for collectibles that was able to enjoy it.

@NedStarksGhost Nice one. Luckily you never need to do B5 again though as you can bypass that one almost instantly.

You did well to get through that one first go!

@render @JohnnyShoulder @Thrillho

Thanks all. I do put it down to lucky drops with the parasite and weapons! But yes that boss fight for B4 was immense, great build up to it!

I have a question for you all. Have I missed out on much from beating B1/2/3 first go and not repeating each Biome?

I know with this I've been in the house a few times in B4 and it's been different each time so I'm curious if I've missed anything from the first act.

@NedStarksGhost I think all you will have missed is collecting the scout logs and ciphers which you can go back and do later. Otherwise the house cut scenes you can catch up in B4 as it sounds like you already have been.

I can’t think of anything else unless anyone else can?

@NedStarksGhost Yeah, I’m not for certain but there might be a couple house sequences that are unique to B1. I think 3 in total. Same with B4 if I’m not mistaken. What I’m not sure of is whether the normal B1 sequences will unlock in B4. I don’t think so but I could be wrong.

The game doesn’t expect you to go through the whole first Act in one go! 😄

And yeah, lots of ciphers and scout logs that need multiple runs in order to unlock and find. Also data cubes. But it’s okay. I think it’s clear that you’ll have the opportunity to mop things up if you want later. I don’t think there was any key information contained in Biome 1.

And congrats for slaying the dragon that is Biome 5! It’s actually true that your best shot at the latter Biomes does seem to be the first time you get there because a player will tend to be pretty buffed from having gone through the prior Biome thoroughly and beat the boss and all. But the trick is to have the mental stamina to stick with it and put in that full 3 hour effort, so good job there. It’s harder to build yourself back up to that level again, but like was said — I skipped Biome 5 still and buffed up in 4 and went straight to 6. At first I felt underpowered, but I got the hang of it. The Biome really changes up some of the strategies needed.

@render @Th3solution good to know nothing crucial and you can go back!

Haha I had the feeling the game wanted me to die multiple times per act... Oops!

Just to double check... Biome 5 is the snowy ruins and Biome 6 the under water one? Or is that just Biome 5 continued?

@NedStarksGhost Yes, on Biome 5 and 6. Where you are now is Biome 6, Abyssal Scar.

And I say it changes up the necessary strategy because of the way jumping is more floaty and the way the walkways are so narrow and often being attacked from many directions with no where to dash to without falling into the abyss. I had gotten used to just dashing around in the middle of the melee, but B6 makes you take things slower and assess your terrain carefully before charging in.

And to your point — I’m not sure where this nomenclature of calling the levels by Biome 1-6 came from. They have actual names in the game: Overgrown Ruins, Crimson Wastes, etc, etc. But gamers pretty quickly just kept calling them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 😂

Back in the loop! Thought I was done, but Pyre doesn’t give me the same action the Returnal does. Going for the plat after getting two more surveys done, now only biomes 2 and 3 left to do!

@Just_2_milky You can do it 👍

I’m feeling the same with Hades. It’s a great game, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not grabbing me like Returnal did. There’s something unique about it and the gameplay is something else. I just found it totally addictive and couldn’t wait to get back on it again.

@render played hades on switch and will likely double dip in the future, while it’s amazing, (and some parts of the game are handled better than Returnal) the third person shooter gameplay feels better & is more addicting.
I need a ceberus-esque npc in Returnal!
Have you gotten the trophy for petting him 10
Times?