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Returnal

Returnal

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
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Welcome to Returnal, Selene’s harrowing journey on the alien planet Atropos. This is a challenging roguelike shooter where every death sends you back to the start, but with your memories intact. You’ll be blasting through hostile alien flora and fauna, navigating treacherous biomes like the Overgrown Ruins and Crimson Waste, and facing off against formidable bosses such as Hyperion. It’s a constant cycle of learning, adapting, and pushing forward against overwhelming odds.

This guide is here to help you conquer Atropos. We’ll cover everything from mastering weapon traits and understanding artifact synergies to overcoming the toughest boss encounters. Whether you’re struggling to find all the collectibles, aiming for that elusive Gold Medal on challenge runs, or trying to piece together the fragmented narrative and unlock all the endings, we’ve got your back. Let’s get you through this cycle.

Introduction/Statement of Intent

Embark on your Returnal journey with confidence! This guide offers expert strategies, boss tips, and essential advice to help you conquer Atropos and uncover its secrets.

Hey there! Welcome to the world of Returnal. I'm putting this guide together because, honestly, there wasn't a solid walkthrough out there when I started, and I figured it was high time someone compiled all the important stuff into one place. Think of this as your friendly companion to make navigating the alien landscape of Atropos a bit smoother.

Now, Returnal is a Roguelike, so a traditional step-by-step walkthrough might not be the most useful thing. Instead, I'm focusing on what really matters: solid boss strategies, insights into the best weapons and artifacts, and general gameplay tips and tricks that’ll help you survive and thrive. My opinions on certain gear might differ from yours, but trust me, I've poured about 90 hours into this game, nabbed the platinum, and I know my way around. I just want to share that knowledge to help you out. If you spot anything I've missed or think I'm off my rocker on something, don't hesitate to let me know!

Ready to dive in? We'll start with the absolute basics next.

Guide and Walkthrough (PS5) by Monistic\_Turtle

Returnal Items, Artifacts, and Weapons List covering weapons, traits, alt-fire, artifacts, and consumables.

This guide covers the various items, artifacts, and weapons you can find throughout your cycles in Returnal. Understanding these elements is crucial for survival and progression.

Items, Artifacts, and Weapons List

  • Weapons and Their Traits
  • Alt-Fire List
  • Artifacts
  • Consumables
Tips
  • Experiment with different weapon traits to find combinations that suit your playstyle.
  • Artifacts provide passive bonuses that can significantly alter your capabilities.
  • Consumables offer temporary buffs or utility, so use them strategically.

Introduction/Statement of Intent (2)

Embark on your Returnal journey with this guide's introduction and statement of intent. Learn about the author's approach to helping you conquer Atropos, from boss strategies to artifact priorities.

Hey there, welcome to Returnal! I'm excited to guide you through this challenging game. This is my first guide in a while, and I'm still getting the hang of this HTML format, so thanks for your patience. I decided to write this because there wasn't a comprehensive FAQ out yet. While the community is great, I wanted to put all the essential info – artifacts, weapon perks, tips, and more – into one place to make your trip through Atropos smoother.

Now, Returnal is a Roguelike, so a traditional step-by-step walkthrough might not be the most useful thing. Instead, I'll focus on what really matters: solid boss strategies, advice on which weapons and artifacts to prioritize, and general gameplay tips that have helped me conquer this tough world. I've poured about 90 hours into Returnal, earned the platinum, and I'm confident in the advice I'm giving. My opinions on gear might differ from yours, but I know how to play this game well. I'm always open to feedback, so if you spot a mistake or have a different take, please let me know!

Ready to dive deeper? We'll cover the basics next.

Guide and Walkthrough (PS5) by Monistic\_Turtle (2)

Returnal guide and walkthrough covering Acts I, II, and III, plus lists of items, artifacts, and weapons.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Introduction/Statement of Intent: Understand the guide's purpose.
  2. 2
    The Basics of Returnal: Learn fundamental game mechanics.
  3. 3
    Items, Artifacts, and Weapons List:
  4. 4
    Weapons and Their Traits: Details on available weaponry.
  5. 5
    Alt-Fire List: Information on secondary weapon functions.
  6. 6
    Artifacts: A list of beneficial artifacts.
  7. 7
    Consumables: Details on single-use items.
  • Malfunction and Parasite Effects: Understand negative status effects.
  • Act I:
    1. Biome 1: Walkthrough for the first area.
    2. Biome 2: Walkthrough for the second area.
    3. Biome 3: Walkthrough for the third area.
  • Act II:
    1. Biome 4: Walkthrough for the fourth area.
    2. Biome 5: Walkthrough for the fifth area.
    3. Biome 6: Walkthrough for the sixth area.
  • Act III: Walkthrough for the final act.
  • Special Thanks, Donations, Etc.: Acknowledgment section.
  • Tips:

    • Refer to the

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