Earlier today, Housemarque and Sony Computer Entertainment announced that Returnal: Ascension, a free 3.0 update featuring campaign co-op and an endless challenge mode, is out right now on PlayStation 5. The gameplay trailer embedded above taken from a State of Play event earlier this month gives fans a preview of what to expect. Below is a quick synopsis of the game for those of you who haven’t yet had a chance to check it out.
In Returnal, you get to dive deep into the mind of Selene, an Astra space scout trapped in a hellish loop of endless resurrection while trapped on a hostile planet. The roguelike formula mixed with exploration platformer elements allows for a unique way to explore the planet and continue the battle she is fighting. Of course, there will be plenty of Housemarque arcade flourishes present, so prepare to be bombarded by volleys of bullet-hell projectiles along the way. Not only can you look forward to getting back into the battle almost instantly with super fast loading times, but we’re using the haptic feedback of the DualSense wireless controller to give players extra awareness of gameplay. You’ll be able to feel the natural ambiance of this alien planet as the controller mimics its environmental effects.
In my preview impressions of Returnal last year, I described it as a brutally endless cycle worth repeating. Today’s update achieves the goal of not only giving players more help to get through the campaign but also amps up the difficulty for those looking for more challenging fights.
Are any of you planning on trying out or revisiting Returnal: Ascension? Please feel free to let us know in the comments section below.
