Returnal

The main pros of the game

• Gameplay Mechanics: Users praise the smooth and enjoyable gameplay, with crisp movement and engaging bullet hell mechanics. Many find the game to be fun and addictive, with the potential for hundreds of hours of play.
• Atmosphere and Visuals: The game's atmosphere, graphics, and sound design are frequently highlighted as exceptional, contributing to an immersive experience. Users noted the Lovecraftian and sci-fi horror themes as particularly appealing.
• Replayability: The roguelike elements and procedural generation keep gameplay fresh, encouraging players to return for multiple runs.
• Challenge: Many players appreciate the game's difficulty, feeling it provides a rewarding challenge that enhances the experience.
• Narrative Integration: Some users enjoy how the story unfolds through gameplay, rather than through lengthy cutscenes, adding depth to the experience.

The main cons of the game

• Difficulty Balance: Several reviews mention that the game can be excessively difficult, with some players feeling that the damage taken is too high and healing options too limited. This leads to frustration for those who find the challenge overwhelming.
• Repetitiveness: Some users feel that the game can become repetitive due to its cyclical nature, where players start over after dying without retaining any upgrades or progress.
• Technical Issues: A number of players report performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and bugs that affect gameplay. Some users have had to implement workarounds to improve performance.
• Lack of Accessibility Features: There are mentions that the game does not ease players into its mechanics or difficulty, which can be off-putting for newcomers.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Progression System: Some players express a desire for a more robust progression system that allows for upgrades or buffs to carry over between runs, making it less punishing and more rewarding.
• Improved Narrative Clarity: A few reviews indicate that the story can be confusing, and a clearer narrative structure or more accessible storytelling might enhance the experience.
• Better Save/Resume Options: Users have pointed out the need for improved save functionality, as the current system can lead to frustration if players cannot pause or save their progress during long runs.
• Refinement of Game Mechanics: Some reviews call for tweaks to certain mechanics, such as underwater movement, which was noted as sluggish and conflicting with the overall fast-paced gameplay.

Summary

• Overall, while Returnal™ is celebrated for its engaging gameplay and impressive aesthetics, it also faces criticism for its difficulty, technical issues, and certain design choices that may alienate some players.

Summary generated on: October 8, 2025