The release ofReturnalis still a week away, but players who purchased the game on the PlayStation Store can begin pre-loading it now. The game’s file size has also been revealed, and players may want to put some time aside to pre-load the PS5 exclusive before its April 30 release date.
Returnalseems to beSony’s rebuttal to recent criticism that it is too reliant on blockbuster franchisessuch asGod of WarandThe Last of Us. Developed by Housemarque,Returnalaims to offer something completely unique. The roguelike shooter puts players into the boots of an astronaut who gets stuck in a time loop after crash landing on a mysterious and hostile alien planet called Atropos. Players will die again and again fighting grotesque monsters before solving the enigmatic planet’s mysteries. The protagonist resurrects at her crashed ship after each death, and each new life rearranges the planet around them.
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Despite its fast-approaching release date,Returnal’s story and gameplay remains somewhat mysterious. Even early previews seem to beunsure of what to make of theReturnal, though many have confirmed that it is differentfrom anything they have played before. Excited fans who want to playReturnalas soon as it releases on April 30 can being pre-loading the game today. They might want to check that they have enough memory space as well, as the game weighs in at 56.101 GB.
Returnalwill be one of the first exclusives to release for the PS5. According to early impressions, the game takes full advantage the of the console’s features. Many previews noted that the use of the DealSense’s haptic feedback is especially impressive and helps add immersion to the sci-fi thriller. The game also features ray tracing-enhanced lighting, which brings the horrifying biomes of Altropos to life.Returnalruns at 60 fpsfor a smooth, action-oriented experience.
The reception ofReturnalcould be very important to Sony, as the game marks the company’s first PlayStation exclusive that is not cross-gen.Returnalwill be followed by several other exclusives for the PS5, includingRatchet and Clank: Rift Apart, which is set to launch in June, andDeathloop, one of Bethesda’s last exclusives for PlayStation.
Returnalis Housemarque’s first game since 2017’sNex Machina, an arcade shoot-em up for the PlayStation 4 and PC that received mostly positive reviews. Housemarque also releasedMatterfall, a side-scrolling shooter, the same year, though that game received a lukewarm response from fans and critics.
