This Amazing Game Has a Major Flaw

When Returnal was first revealed, it looked incredible. Its visuals were stunning, the alien world felt unique, and the gameplay promised smooth, satisfying action. Like many players, I was excited from the very first trailer. Unfortunately, actually playing the game was far more frustrating than I expected.

Returnal launched in 2021 as a PlayStation exclusive and later came to PC in 2023. I recently tried it through the PS Plus catalogue after buying a PlayStation. At first, it seemed as impressive as I had hoped 'beautiful visuals, fluid movement, and strong third-person shooter mechanics' It felt like a masterpiece in the making.

The Issue

The biggest issue is its roguelike structure. In roguelike games, levels change with each run, but dying sends you back to the beginning. In Returnal, that means losing hours of progress and replaying large sections again and again.

Some players enjoy that kind of challenge, but for many, especially casual gamers, it quickly becomes exhausting. Instead of feeling rewarded, the repetition creates frustration and burnout. The difficulty feels less exciting and more punishing, while the constant resets take away the sense of progress.

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That’s what makes Returnal feel like missed potential. With its amazing visuals and responsive gameplay, it could have been a legendary linear, story-driven experience. Instead, its roguelike design limits its appeal and pushes away players who don’t want to repeat the same sections endlessly.

Of course, some fans love the satisfaction of finally beating a tough run, and for competitive players, Returnal can be very rewarding. But casual players who want to relax are more likely to find it stressful than fun.

The Next Game

Housemarque’s next game, Seros, is set to release on April 30 and appears to share similar gameplay ideas. The big question is whether it will stick to the roguelike formula or choose a more traditional progression system. That choice could decide whether it remains a niche experience or reaches a wider audience.

Returnal is visually brilliant and mechanically strong, but its roguelike design holds it back. In the end, it feels like a great game that could have been even better with a different approach.