It's the game's immense replayability and satisfying core loop that makes it an absolute gem for the gamer on the go. With Returnal's release onto PC it also signals the game's arrival onto all manner of handheld PCs, including Valve's Steam Deck that is available through select retailers despite not seeing an official launch here, or the Ayaneo 2 which is available now (read Shannon’s review of that here).
Granted, you will not be able to enjoy the ultra wide resolution and also the other upgrades available courtesy of a beefier rig, having the ability to take Returnal on the highway is genuinely wonderful. I'd forgotten how alluring the game's world is, so peculiarly alien and atmospheric with an unravelling mystery of otherworldly proportions. Not to mention, once you settle into the game's groove it's a lot more than suitable for that “one more run” mentality that people spend a lot of ride shares and lunch breaks on.
The experience isn't without its share of hurdles, however.
As Returnal isn't yet fully optimised for that platform-or “Deck verified” because they say-its performance could be rather suspect. Simple benchmarking bottoms out in relation to frame rate even on the lowest presets. In a game with so many particle effects and destructible environments, it should be no real surprise the Steam Deck struggles a little bit.
Thanks to a wonderful feature called FidelityFX Super Resolution, a software-based supersampling process somewhat similar to DLSS, the game's overall resolution is lowered to improve frame rate before the image is ultimately upscaled through AI. Although it'll have a little bit of menu diving to activate, the upswing is the fact that a processor heavy game like Returnal can become playable.
And exactly what a game it's when it's running at full flight.
To think Returnal entered the world as a game designed to bolster the present roster of heavy hitters, simply to be a staggeringly impressive display of technical prowess and something of PlayStation's more thrilling new IP. I expect there is a day within the distant future where I would finally lay waste to any or all of the evil that calls Atropos home, but until then I'll still enjoy among the coolest bullet hell shooters on the market-a cosmic cocktail of sublime gunplay and Housemarque's brand of arcade goodness.
Returnal launches on PC last month 16th via Steam and Epic Games Store
For all of my original ideas on Returnal, which I uphold even today, read my overview of the PS5 release below:
