Returnal Reviews

Returnal is ranked in the 96th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.5 / 10.0
Mar 15, 2023

Returnal is a very good proposition for PC gamers, but it needs time to improve the technical problems that deprive it of perfection.

Review in Greek | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Mar 13, 2023

Returnal is a solid roguelike that does a very good job of encouraging you to play just one more run over and over again. The shooting and traversal are solid, and the fights may be tough but never feel cheap. The inclusion of the DLC and the Suspend mode from the get-go ensures that the game seems more fair, even though death can still come easily. The presentation shows that the PC can still provide a top-of-the-line experience for modern games. The stuttering is the only real thing dragging down this experience, but if you are somehow immune to that or are reading this by the time the patch has been released, Returnal is a must-have for those who enjoy difficult solo shooters.

Read full review

6 / 10
Mar 5, 2023
Returnal Review video thumbnail
9 / 10
Mar 3, 2023

Returnal is the latest of Sony's first-party games finding a new audience on PC, and it feels right at home on the platform through a solid port. The fluid and swift movement is a pleasure to control with a keyboard and mouse, and the port coming without some of the teething problems of the PS5 release makes Returnal an approachable proposition.

Read full review

PCMag
Top Critic
Feb 28, 2023

Returnal arrives on PC two years after making a splash on PS5, packing many exclusive features that make this version the one to beat-if you've got the rig to handle it.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2023

Thanks to a recent patch that fixed the majority of performance issues that I was having, I can happily call Returnal on PC the “definitive version.” It has the looks, the performance, and the best controls, ready to reward those who waited for the PS5’s timed-exclusivity period to end with a compelling, mysterious story and top-tier bullet hell gameplay.

Read full review

Unscored
Feb 26, 2023

Returnal was great on the PlayStation 5, and it's equally as good on the PC, with its punishing but enjoyable gameplay. There's also something to say about being able to play this on an ultrawide monitor. I just wish the game didn't stutter as much.

Read full review

Worth your time
Feb 24, 2023

I’m ecstatic for the chance of playing Returnal further after the five or so hours I spend with the PlayStation 5 version. It’s a great port, and it didn’t take me long at all to get back to exactly the same spot I was when I stopped playing it before, proving that the muscle memory and skill built in by the game’s difficulty is indeed there. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me further on and for the journey to get there.

Read full review

Jake Su
Top Critic
4 / 5.0
Feb 24, 2023

Returnal on PC is an excellent move for everyone involved, especially with the quality shown in the port. A new audience can finally have a taste of that amazing blend of gameplay that constantly beguiles players into taking one more run, enhanced by the bells and whistles made possible by the power of the PC. As one of the PS5’s best games, it would make perfect sense that Returnal maintains that form in its migration to the PC, and it proves just that.

Read full review

Feb 24, 2023

The planet of Atropos is sprawling cornucopia of danger, colors, and excitement. At times, Returnal can be borderline on being space horror with its themes and setting, which makes it so good at what it does. Housemarque still retains those arcadey and shmup elements that they essentially have baked into their core. The PC version of Returnal gives those without a PlayStation 5 or a desire to own one a way to play one of the most unique roguelikes to ever exist. Returnal is this homogeneous blend of elements that fuse into something so beautiful and wonderful, that you just have to play and experience for yourself.

Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Feb 22, 2023

The PC-port of Returnal fixes one of the biggest issues of the Playstation-version; not being able to safely quit the game without losing progress. In keeps its smooth combat, even with a mouse and keyboard and allows the graphics too be even better on modern hardware. An amazing roguelike with just a few minor complaints.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Recommended
Feb 21, 2023

Returnal on PC is one of the rare blessings of this late generation. It’s challenging, rhythmic bullet-hell shooting, with a satisfying combat loop and an unconventional way of storytelling that make it one of the riskiest yet rewarding experiences in PlayStation’s long line of stellar exclusives. If you like titles like Doom: Eternal, FURI, or Cuphead, then look no further than this. However, for casual beginners, this one can be one hell of a nightmare. Still, if you’ve got the balls to go through its steep learning curve, there’s probably nothing that you can’t handle!

Read full review

8.8 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2023

Returnal might not be the mind-bending masterpiece that I was, perhaps mistakenly, expecting after the praise I'd heard from friends and colleagues, but it's still an excellent roguelike with clean gameplay and a beautiful presentation. Word of warning though: the lenght of each run combined with the difficulty might make it frustrating for some, and graphical optimization relies heavily on the use of supersampling technologies.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2023

http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/returnal-review/

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 20, 2023

These days it's hard to find a more action-packed, more colorful, more addictive game than Returnal. Even if you've played it on PS5, Returnal is the perfect game for keyboard & mouse control and you should give it a try on PC.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

Feb 20, 2023

You won't want to break the cycle because Returnal offers an immersive experience that sucks you in for hours. However, when you finally break the cycle and reach the end of Selene's journey, you will realize just how much of a masterpiece Returnal is.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Feb 19, 2023

As much as Returnal carved a niche of its own on PS5 as a stunning third-person shooter that had been masterfully blended with roguelike design, so too does it manage to inhabit a similarly unique place for PC gamers in 2023. One of the best PlayStation exclusives of 2021 has ended up being one of the best and most glossy PC shooters of 2023. Long may PlayStation Studios incredible run of PC ports continue.

Read full review

85%
Feb 18, 2023

Returnal will be extremely frustrating for many, but it's undoubtedly an unique, one of a kind experience. Housemarque's risk has definitely paid off.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Feb 17, 2023

Returnal is an impressive game that sets a new standard for PS5-to-PC ports. The game is challenging, well-balanced, and offers a unique combination of shooter and platformer gameplay. The game’s benchmarking tools are incredibly helpful in determining optimal settings, and the inclusion of ultrawide aspect ratios, while not always beneficial, is a welcome addition.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Despite two years having passed since its original release, Returnal still feels as good and fresh as ever. Its strong gameplay and art direction are certainly bolstered by the fact that it made the leap from console to PC quite gracefully. If you're a fan of fast-paced action games or roguelites, Returnal is definitely a title you don't want to miss.

Read full review