I downloaded Returnal because I liked the vibe the trailers gave off. I tend to avoid spoilers as much as I can so I really didn’t do any research into the game. I was immediately immersed. The game felt like it was something that belonged in the Alien universe; a series that I love. The world reminded me of Alien Covenant, the tutorial didn’t seem to slow the game to a stand still, the controls felt solid, and killing enemies felt satisfying. I really can’t recall the last time a game grabbed me as quickly as Returnal did.
Quick Note: As interested as I am in Returnal I only played through the first loop. So please don’t spoil anything.
It makes me wonder what games immediately pulled you in?
I feel like Battlefield 1’s first level did a similar job. For those that haven’t played it you fight a wave of enemies and if you die you get transported to a different solider. It was an interesting change from the usual CoD-style hero shooter. You really felt like you were being shoved into a meat grinder.
The first game that came to mind is The Last of Us… I’ve always been a sucker for a tragic story. And Portal, because GlaDos is one of the funniest characters of all time.
Also, I LOVED Returnal, but I rarely hear people talk about it.
I won’t go into detail, of course, but the lore is so much deeper than I expected, and very open to interpretation. There’re some very compelling theories out there.
I had forgotten about Portal. I feel like the sequel definitely grabbed me right away. I was interested to see what had happened since the first game and Wheatley was a funny companion.
That’s good to hear. I am looking forward to playing it more. I definitely do feel like it came and went from the news and I don’t really know why. Did Deathloop come out around the same time?
Deathloop came out a few months after it, I believe.
I feel like Returnal releasing with the PS5 didn’t do it too many favors, considering how hard it was to get one for a long time, at least for most people.
Plus, the fact that you couldn’t save the game mid-run for a while (???), and the high difficulty.
The intro to The Last of Us still gets me.