Returnal

Sony Interactive Entertainment
Available on
PS5PC
Released 2021/04/30
  • PS Plus required for online play
  • Supports up to 2 online players with PS Plus
  • Online play optional
  • 1 player
  • PS5 Version
    Vibration function and trigger effect supported (DualSense wireless controller)
Game Overview

Break the cycle of chaos on an always-changing alien planet.

After crash-landing on this shape-shifting world, Selene must search through the barren landscape of an ancient civilization for her escape. Isolated and alone, she finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Again and again, she’s defeated – forced to restart her journey every time she dies.

Through relentless roguelike gameplay, you’ll discover that just as the planet changes with every cycle, so do the items at your disposal. Every loop offers new combinations, forcing you to push your boundaries and approach combat with a different strategy each time.

Brought to life by stunning visual effects, the dark beauty of the decaying world around you is packed with explosive surprises. From high stakes, bullet hell-fuelled combat, to visceral twists and turns through stark and contrasting environments. You’ll explore, discover and fight your way through an unforgiving journey, where mystery stalks your every move.

Designed for extreme replayability, the procedural world of Returnal invites you to dust yourself off in the face of defeat and take on new, evolving challenges with every rebirth.

Returnal key features

Intense combat

  • Fight to survive in this third-person roguelike shooter.
  • Take on ruthless enemies in explosive, bullet hell-fuelled combat.
  • Switch instinctively between firing modes by using a single adaptive trigger – go straight from aiming down sights to your gun’s alternative fire.
  • Get back into the action with near-instant load speeds that won’t leave you waiting to restart after you die.

Thrilling exploration

  • Manage equipment and resources carefully – every time you die, you restart from the beginning.
  • Scavenge alien tech for upgrades to enhance your abilities in future cycles.
  • Feel in-game actions via haptic feedback, as you explore a world that transforms around you with every cycle. 

Haunting narrative

  • Piece together fragments of Selene’s memories as she seeks out answers.
  • Forge a personal connection with the planet as you explore its constantly evolving and decaying terrain.
  • Uncover the truth as you jump rapidly through portals between worlds, via the PS5™ system’s ultra-high-speed SSD.

Available on PlayStation Store

Editions:

Standard Edition

  • Returnal™

Digital Deluxe Edition

  • Returnal™
  • Electropylon Driver weapon.¹
  • Hollowseeker weapon.¹
  • One Reflex Stimulant.¹
  • One Adrenaline Booster.¹
  • One Pulsating Mass artefact.¹
  • PSN avatars for PS5™.
  • Digital soundtrack.

Buy Returnal on PC

Dust yourself off in the face of defeat and take on new, evolving challenges with every rebirth in Returnal on PC. 

Returnal: Ascension

Free update adds co-op multiplayer and new Tower of Sisyphus challenge.

Co-op mode

Fight to break the cycle with another Selene from a branching timeline.

In Returnal's co-op mode, you can share your entire journey* through the shifting labyrinth of Atropos with another player.**  

The hostile nature of Atropos is unwavering, but the possibility of teamwork adds a whole new dimension and means of survival. Instead of scouting alone, try coordinating your onslaught with another player – especially when the odds continue stacking up against you. 

Tower of Sisyphus

Prepare for a new kind of challenge in the Tower of Sisyphus, a nearly endless ascending gauntlet with a pure focus on combat. Build up your score as you progress, while searching for exclusive items, Scout logs and as-yet-unseen fragments from Selene’s story.

Be ready for anything. With threats old and new waiting as you ascend the Tower, you could find yourself encountering echoes of things you’ve seen before, or something entirely new. Other new surprises also await, only available to you in the Tower of Sisyphus.

* The Tower of Sisyphus, House sequences and Challenge Mode are not available in co-op mode.
** Internet and PlayStation®Plus required to download/play Co-op Mode. PlayStation Plus is a paid-for ongoing subscription with a recurring fee charged automatically at the frequency chosen by the consumer at purchase until cancelled.

Fast loading

Jump through portals between worlds with the PS5™ system’s ultra-high speed SSD. Get back into the action with near-instant load speeds that won’t leave you waiting to restart after you die.

Adaptive triggers

 Switch instinctively between firing modes by using a single adaptive trigger – go straight from aiming down sights to your gun’s alternative fire.

Haptic feedback

Sense in-game actions big and small – while exploring fragments of Selene’s memories, or when firing visceral alien weapons.

Tempest 3D AudioTech

Hear the action from every direction in 3D Audio on compatible headphones – bullets flying past you, enemies circling overhead, or unseen foes creeping up behind you.

The making of Returnal

An inside look at Returnal developer, Housemarque – the people, the games, the journey to Returnal – and everything in between.

HouseCast - Ep.1 Introduction

Welcome to HouseCast! On this first episode of HouseCast, we sit down and talk to Game Director, Harry Krueger about Housemarque's most ambitious title yet, Returnal.

HouseCast - Ep.2 Origins

In this episode of HouseCast, Harry Krueger, Game Director of Returnal, talks about the origins of Returnal and discuss what kind of experience players can expect.

HouseCast - Ep.3 Action!

Uncover the process of transforming explosive action into 3D and how we stay true to our motto "Gameplay First."

HouseCast - Ep.4 The Cycle
We talk with the Narrative Director, Gregory Louden, on the storytelling in Returnal and the driving forces behind Selene's story.
HouseCast - Ep.5 Threats
A deep dive to uncover the enemies of Returnal with the Game Director, Harry Krueger.

8 ways Returnal pushes gameplay boundaries on PS5

Delve deeper into the innovative design of Housemarque's spectacular shooter.

Returnal FAQs

Visit the game overview section on this page to find out more about Returnal.

Returnal is only available for the PS5 console.

There are a total of six biomes in Returnal.

1. Returnal must be installed on each PS5™ console to play co-op mode.

2. Ensure you are connected to PlayStation™Network and have the most recent Returnal patch installed (version 3.0 or later).

3. Access co-op mode in Returnal through any of the following:

  • Use the Chronosis device (located in each biome) to summon a friend from your friends list to play.
  • Receive an invite from a friend.
  • Or use the same device to join the online session of another player.

Internet and PlayStation®Plus required to download/play Co-op Mode. PlayStation Plus is a paid-for ongoing subscription with a recurring fee charged automatically at the frequency chosen by the consumer at purchase until cancelled.

Next time you wake at the crash site, look up. You should be able to see a gate towards the Tower of Sisyphus, accessible as long as you’ve unlocked the Icarian Grapnel.*


*The Tower of Sisyphus, House sequences and Challenge Mode are not available in Co-op Mode.

Returnal wallpapers

Download Returnal wallpapers for desktop.

More from the creators of Returnal

Explore more great titles from Housemarque, the acclaimed Finnish studio famous for explosive arcade gameplay.

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Nex Machina

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Dead Nation™ Apocalypse Edition

Dare you enter the city of the dead? Fight for your life as you step onto the streets of a city overrun with undead flesh-eaters.

PULSE Elite™ wireless headset

Enter a new era in gaming audio with the PULSE Elite wireless headset.   
 
Enjoy extraordinary lifelike sound and lightning-fast connectivity in a headset design that offers up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging and a retractable microphone. 

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Platform:
PS5
Release:
29/4/2021
Publisher:
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genres:
Shooter
Voice:
English
Screen Languages:
Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Korean
Purchase or use of this item is subject to SEN Terms of Service and User Agreement.

The above information is subject to change without prior notice.

This game/content may not be available in some countries and regions and in some languages.

The above information is subject to change without prior notice.

This game/content may not be available in some countries and regions and in some languages.

¹ Internet and PlayStation®Plus required to download/play Co-op Mode. PlayStation Plus is a paid-for ongoing subscription with a recurring fee charged automatically at the frequency chosen by the consumer at purchase until cancelled.

² The Tower of Sisyphus, House sequences and Challenge Mode are not available in Co-op Mode.

Returnal™ ©2021-2022 Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd. Developed by Housemarque Oy. “Returnal” is a trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. All rights reserved.