PS5 Returnal

[hornetswce]

So close to beating Phrike for the first time last night, spewing!

The more I play the more I appreciate how good this game is. Selene’s movement is so fluent, it’s like she is gliding around.

I loved Ratchet, but this is probably GOTY. The only thing that may knock it off for me is Deathloop.


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[Purple Suit]

So close to beating Phrike for the first time last night, spewing!

The more I play the more I appreciate how good this game is. Selene’s movement is so fluent, it’s like she is gliding around.

I loved Ratchet, but this is probably GOTY. The only thing that may knock it off for me is Deathloop.


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Good Luck, Phrike is a good challenge and you can't get overpowered for it so need to learn the patterns.

Yep,
My GOTY too. I haven't played a game in a long time that I keep wanting to play after the story is done. Now going for the Plat to give me something to do. I don't think I've died for 4-5 runs now.

 

[theiaofseed]

Housemarque has been acquired by Sony, buy outs continue.

 

[Deathly]

Returnal was pretty good, and I really want to see what they can do with a bigger team and budget. Lots of potential with the new hybrid genre they created through Returnal.

 

[hornetswce]

Good Luck, Phrike is a good challenge and you can't get overpowered for it so need to learn the patterns.

Yep,
My GOTY too. I haven't played a game in a long time that I keep wanting to play after the story is done. Now going for the Plat to give me something to do. I don't think I've died for 4-5 runs now.

Got him tonight, it was actually pretty easy now I know the pattern. I managed to get a good parasite right before I walked in which helped aswell.

I had NFI what was going on in that second biome haha.


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[hornetswce]

Good Luck, Phrike is a good challenge and you can't get overpowered for it so need to learn the patterns.

Yep,
My GOTY too. I haven't played a game in a long time that I keep wanting to play after the story is done. Now going for the Plat to give me something to do. I don't think I've died for 4-5 runs now.

Got him tonight, it was actually pretty easy now I know the pattern. I managed to get a good parasite right before I walked in which helped aswell.

I had NFI what was going on in that second biome haha.


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[hornetswce]

Hit the second boss the other night but he smoked me in his second phase.

Is there any reason to keep running the first biome? I’ve been doing it but I keep spawning the chaos gate room early so I wonder if they are giving me a hint.


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[Quivorir]

Hit the second boss the other night but he smoked me in his second phase.

Is there any reason to keep running the first biome? I’ve been doing it but I keep spawning the chaos gate room early so I wonder if they are giving me a hint.


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Only to gear up. If you're confident enough you can just skip it. I found it better to try and move forward as much as possible as it gave you more practice on stuff to come.

 

[Purple Suit]

Hit the second boss the other night but he smoked me in his second phase.

Is there any reason to keep running the first biome? I’ve been doing it but I keep spawning the chaos gate room early so I wonder if they are giving me a hint.


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I liked getting a new gun first and my adrenaline levels to 5 before moving. Wasn't a fan of the pistol in desert of the 2nd Biome.

 

[HBK619]

Bought it when it was $79 on Amazon, what a buy. I'm kinda shitty they had it at such an awful price initially, but that lead time has clearly helped as well for the stability issues that seemed to be heavy on launch.

Played for 7 hours, for 13 deaths so far. Have made it to the 3rd biome but keep dying about halfway through due to getting cocky/lazy. Although I have tended so far to spend a lot more time building in the first and 2nd biomes. But now I'm realising more so that if you jump over to the 2nd one first you probably don't really need that much initial building as it scales per biome vs scaling per what you have?

I really would like a save and quit button, I think they do need to sort something else out there. I'm fine with being able to put the game into rest mode, but it's more so "I'm halfway through this run, but I wanna play something else too". Ironically, the quick resume function on Series X would come in handy.

Other than that minor gripe, what a game. The gameplay is super fast paced, hard but rewarding and I'm also genuinely surprised at how good the narrative is throughout as well. I absolutely did not expect there to be this level of story in a game where you literally restart every time you die. It's intriguing and has me actually wanting to find every audio log and extra bit of story content that pops up.

One of the best things the game does, is it manage to teach you things without teaching you things. The knowledge you build with each run is so handy that while having a proper full tutorial of "this is what this does and this is how it's good/bad for you" would make things easier from the beginning. The subtle learnings you get from trial and error and general playthroughs and testing stuff out make for a great and genuinely rewarding learning curve.

Overall so far absolutely loving it and super drawn in. I do wonder how later playthroughs will go, it doesn't necessarily have the replayability to the extent that when I roll credits that I think I'd be desperate to keep going. But that may only be because of the skipping biome stuff making it a little simpler as you go on.

 

[hornetswce]

I swear those bat looking things in the first biome have become ultra aggressive since I finished the second biome.

I’m doing one big run a night now, leaving the first biome as soon as I find the gate and running the second biome until I hit the gate to try finish the third biome. Pretty sure I got close to the boss tonight but made some poor choices and died…

GOTY.


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[HBK619]

After getting my absolute ass kicked on the 3rd biome for a good 15+ deaths, I managed to get the 3rd biome done by coming at it with the plan of not skipping biomes, at least until I felt far more powerful. So I managed to get to 200% integrity, had some good parasites, including one that absolutely saved me on the final boss of the 3rd biome (which was the auto-recover at low integrity) - that boss is an absolute bitch too, no idea how you can get through it without auto-recover.

Today I managed to go through biomes 4-6 and roll credits after an epic run of near misses (thank **** the final boss is actually the easiest of the game!).

Really like what the 4th, 5th and 6th biomes do in terms of variety. The change up for 4 is incredible, so much verticality. And then 5 and 6 offer some cool new tweaks on the systems.

Final stats on my roll credits all up were 32 deaths, 265 areas explored, 2875 hostiles eliminated.

So far, I'm 19 hours, 41 mins in and I don't see myself wanting to stop. Definitely want the 2nd roll credits too, although I feel that ending will be harder to get.

An absolute masterpiece of game making and design. Only had one minor bug the entire game which was one item in one run spawned about 10 metres in the air so I couldn't get it. Otherwise, not one single issue or problem run into.

The story beats and way it continues to evolve had me intrigued all the way. The gameplay is so fast, snappy and you always feel in control. The game looks gorgeous and the subtle usage of the haptics and adaptive triggers is probably the best on the console so far outside of Astrobot.

Agree with hornetswce this is GOTY so far. Hopefully it goes on discount more, because everyone with a PS5 should be playing this.

 

[hornetswce]

After getting my absolute ass kicked on the 3rd biome for a good 15+ deaths, I managed to get the 3rd biome done by coming at it with the plan of not skipping biomes, at least until I felt far more powerful. So I managed to get to 200% integrity, had some good parasites, including one that absolutely saved me on the final boss of the 3rd biome (which was the auto-recover at low integrity) - that boss is an absolute b*tch too, no idea how you can get through it without auto-recover.

Today I managed to go through biomes 4-6 and roll credits after an epic run of near misses (thank fu** the final boss is actually the easiest of the game!).

Really like what the 4th, 5th and 6th biomes do in terms of variety. The change up for 4 is incredible, so much verticality. And then 5 and 6 offer some cool new tweaks on the systems.

Final stats on my roll credits all up were 32 deaths, 265 areas explored, 2875 hostiles eliminated.

So far, I'm 19 hours, 41 mins in and I don't see myself wanting to stop. Definitely want the 2nd roll credits too, although I feel that ending will be harder to get.

An absolute masterpiece of game making and design. Only had one minor bug the entire game which was one item in one run spawned about 10 metres in the air so I couldn't get it. Otherwise, not one single issue or problem run into.

The story beats and way it continues to evolve had me intrigued all the way. The gameplay is so fast, snappy and you always feel in control. The game looks gorgeous and the subtle usage of the haptics and adaptive triggers is probably the best on the console so far outside of Astrobot.

Agree with hornetswce this is GOTY so far. Hopefully it goes on discount more, because everyone with a PS5 should be playing this.

Yeah the 3rd biome is smashing me as well, I think I need to spend more time in 1 and 2.

Those big things in biome 3 with the whips beat the crap out of me every time, I’m desperate for that 3rd consumables slot!

I imagine that when Returnal goes free on PS+ everyone will rave about how good it is. Rogue likes are one of those styles that aren’t for everyone. I’ve mentioned it before but I had no intention of touching Returnal until I fell in love with Hades (which btw I’m going to play the hell out of on PS5).


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[Lance Uppercut]

After getting my absolute ass kicked on the 3rd biome for a good 15+ deaths, I managed to get the 3rd biome done by coming at it with the plan of not skipping biomes, at least until I felt far more powerful. So I managed to get to 200% integrity, had some good parasites, including one that absolutely saved me on the final boss of the 3rd biome (which was the auto-recover at low integrity) - that boss is an absolute b*tch too, no idea how you can get through it without auto-recover.

Today I managed to go through biomes 4-6 and roll credits after an epic run of near misses (thank fu** the final boss is actually the easiest of the game!).

Really like what the 4th, 5th and 6th biomes do in terms of variety. The change up for 4 is incredible, so much verticality. And then 5 and 6 offer some cool new tweaks on the systems.

Final stats on my roll credits all up were 32 deaths, 265 areas explored, 2875 hostiles eliminated.

So far, I'm 19 hours, 41 mins in and I don't see myself wanting to stop. Definitely want the 2nd roll credits too, although I feel that ending will be harder to get.

An absolute masterpiece of game making and design. Only had one minor bug the entire game which was one item in one run spawned about 10 metres in the air so I couldn't get it. Otherwise, not one single issue or problem run into.

The story beats and way it continues to evolve had me intrigued all the way. The gameplay is so fast, snappy and you always feel in control. The game looks gorgeous and the subtle usage of the haptics and adaptive triggers is probably the best on the console so far outside of Astrobot.

Agree with hornetswce this is GOTY so far. Hopefully it goes on discount more, because everyone with a PS5 should be playing this.

I went back to the 3rd boss to get the trophy as it didn't pop first time.

I beat him without taking a single hit point of damage. Have the recording to prove it, too

Used the Lobber and just focused on firing, forgetting and dodging. If you shoot him then grapple to another island it's quite tough for him to get you. As long as you're on the ball with the lasers it's sweet, and the DoT does the work

Definitely my GOTY, no doubts at all. I loved it so much

 

[hornetswce]

Starting to get frustrated with biome 3. I’m doing almost full run throughs of biome 1 and 2 to try hit 3 with 180-200% health and an astronaut, but it’s still wrecking me. Those bloody drone things and the tall big daddy looking things bloody smash me. Still haven’t even made it to the boss…


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[Purple Suit]

Starting to get frustrated with biome 3. I’m doing almost full run throughs of biome 1 and 2 to try hit 3 with 180-200% health and an astronaut, but it’s still wrecking me. Those bloody drone things and the tall big daddy looking things bloody smash me. Still haven’t even made it to the boss…


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You can usually hear the drones before you get to them with the loud buzz, lets you know they are about to pop out. Popping them only a few at a time helps over all of them in a room if possible.

The right gun always helps, I recommend only picking up the guns you are good with. Not sure which guns you have unlocked yet but I'd move away from the first 3 of the game once the better ones are now available.

If you prep up in the other biomes, just try and take the direct route to the boss. I found a life restoring parasite that give you health when it is critical a key to beating the 3rd boss. It's easy enough to dodge projectiles but if you make a mistake, you can gain health back before making another one. When you are grappling you are invincible so you can use this during the boss fight and all over biome 3.

Good Luck, I really liked the story part between Biome 3 & 4 too.

 

[hornetswce]

You can usually hear the drones before you get to them with the loud buzz, lets you know they are about to pop out. Popping them only a few at a time helps over all of them in a room if possible.

The right gun always helps, I recommend only picking up the guns you are good with. Not sure which guns you have unlocked yet but I'd move away from the first 3 of the game once the better ones are now available.

If you prep up in the other biomes, just try and take the direct route to the boss. I found a life restoring parasite that give you health when it is critical a key to beating the 3rd boss. It's easy enough to dodge projectiles but if you make a mistake, you can gain health back before making another one. When you are grappling you are invincible so you can use this during the boss fight and all over biome 3.

Good Luck, I really liked the story part between Biome 3 & 4 too.

I think I need to start using the parasites more, particularly the ones that buff your stats. I’ve been conservative so far when it comes to using them.

I like the Rotgland Lobber so you can shoot and dodge but I find it isn’t great against those quicker flying enemies.

Playing 1 or 2 runs a night probably isn’t giving me the best chance either.


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[Lance Uppercut]

I think I need to start using the parasites more, particularly the ones that buff your stats. I’ve been conservative so far when it comes to using them.

I like the Rotgland Lobber so you can shoot and dodge but I find it isn’t great against those quicker flying enemies.

Playing 1 or 2 runs a night probably isn’t giving me the best chance either.


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oh no, the Lobber is absolutely insane in the membrane against the drones. In fact, against any enemy in the game, really. It ****ing shreds those little pricks. It has such high aim assist you can just fire and **** 'em up whilst dodging back into cover. For best results, hide behind a door and open it up to take a quick pot shot before letting it close again. No more drones.

It's also the god class weapon v the Biome 3 boss imo. But, then, I reckon it's god tier for everything in the game. Lobber 4 life

 

[Purple Suit]

I think I need to start using the parasites more, particularly the ones that buff your stats. I’ve been conservative so far when it comes to using them.

I like the Rotgland Lobber so you can shoot and dodge but I find it isn’t great against those quicker flying enemies.

Playing 1 or 2 runs a night probably isn’t giving me the best chance either.


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Parasites are great, as long as the downside doesn't affect you. I very rarely pick up infected stuff so you can give yourself more chance of malignancy etc without a real downside. I don't recommend taking one that gives you more malignant items as it starts affecting all the free health around.

Alt fire is another thing I rarely use except when I'm in trouble so i don't really care on the cooldown etc.

 

[HBK619]

Starting to get frustrated with biome 3. I’m doing almost full run throughs of biome 1 and 2 to try hit 3 with 180-200% health and an astronaut, but it’s still wrecking me. Those bloody drone things and the tall big daddy looking things bloody smash me. Still haven’t even made it to the boss…


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It's kinda crazy just how hard Biome 3 is comparative to everything else. I've now done 4-6 another 4 times since I finished the whole thing (unfortunately I'm only at 4/6 sunfaces and my last two runs have come up empty!) and I feel I have the runs down pat pretty easy now. My last 3 runs have been no deaths at all, absolutely have come close, but haven't failed for 3 runs straight now.

I tend to keep going back to tried and true methods. I'm using ether a hell of a lot more now to cleanse malignant stuff, cos you get ether fairly often so I might as well use it, especially when it caps out at 30. And I'm always going for the Carbine with the leech rounds (although that may be a biome 4> thing), as that's just a near 100% guarantee of staying alive, it kinda turns me off any other weapon when leech rounds is such a strong benefit. Even if I have something slightly underpowered, the leech rounds pay off so much when you can just hit something and gain health.

Definitely load up on parasites, grab as much health as possible even when full as that boosts your integrity. Try and take the yellow boss rooms down as they're loot treasure troves despite being hard as balls.

 

[Purple Suit]

It's kinda crazy just how hard Biome 3 is comparative to everything else. I've now done 4-6 another 4 times since I finished the whole thing (unfortunately I'm only at 4/6 sunfaces and my last two runs have come up empty!) and I feel I have the runs down pat pretty easy now. My last 3 runs have been no deaths at all, absolutely have come close, but haven't failed for 3 runs straight now.

I tend to keep going back to tried and true methods. I'm using ether a hell of a lot more now to cleanse malignant stuff, cos you get ether fairly often so I might as well use it, especially when it caps out at 30. And I'm always going for the Carbine with the leech rounds (although that may be a biome 4> thing), as that's just a near 100% guarantee of staying alive, it kinda turns me off any other weapon when leech rounds is such a strong benefit. Even if I have something slightly underpowered, the leech rounds pay off so much when you can just hit something and gain health.

Definitely load up on parasites, grab as much health as possible even when full as that boosts your integrity. Try and take the yellow boss rooms down as they're loot treasure troves despite being hard as balls.

I recon some guns work better in different Biomes. I don't mind the Carbine in the 6th Biome but the 3rd has a lot of particles flying around and rooms with heaps of enemies so I prefer something you can shoot and damage while on the move like the lobber, hollowseeker with serrated projectiles or the Electropile Driver.

Although once you find the play style that works, gotta stick to it otherwise you soon go back to getting smashed.

 

[hornetswce]

Beat biome 3 tonight, I got close the other night against the boss with the Rotgland but this time switched to the carbine right before and found it much easier.

On a different note, I have no bloody idea what’s happening with the story. It’s so long between beating biomes that I’ve forgotten what happened haha!


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[Purple Suit]

Beat biome 3 tonight, I got close the other night against the boss with the Rotgland but this time switched to the carbine right before and found it much easier.

On a different note, I have no bloody idea what’s happening with the story. It’s so long between beating biomes that I’ve forgotten what happened haha!


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Late game Biome 4 story spoilers

Spoiler

Loved the story between Biomes 3 & 4. Gets to live the rest of her life back on earth, dies of old age and then bam, back on the alien planet again.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Late game Biome 4 story spoilers

Spoiler

Loved the story between Biomes 3 & 4. Gets to live the rest of her life back on earth, dies of old age and then bam, back on the alien planet again.

truly brutal. Loved it

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Beat biome 3 tonight, I got close the other night against the boss with the Rotgland but this time switched to the carbine right before and found it much easier.

On a different note, I have no bloody idea what’s happening with the story. It’s so long between beating biomes that I’ve forgotten what happened haha!


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Here's how good the Lobber is against Nemesis. I didn't take a single hit point. It's awesome



*Obviously contains spoilers for Biome 3!