Returnal PS5 PlayStation 5 1

Never doubt Housemarque. The studio is responsible for some of the best arcade games in recent memory, including Super Stardust HD, Resogun, and Nex Machina. Its portfolio speaks for itself, so we're rather excited for its next project, Returnal. Announced earlier this year, the game is a roguelike third person shooter with all the visual flourish you expect from a Housemarque title.

Over on the PlayStation Blog, marketing director Mikael Haveri goes over some details about this PlayStation 5 exclusive. To recap, you play as space cadet Selene, who's arrived on a dangerous planet that's trapped her in a time loop. When she dies, she's resurrected, and the strange world shifts and changes when the loop repeats. The game combines a few things; roguelike elements, exploration, bullet hell, and narrative.

Haveri also points out how the game uses PS5's key features. "Super fast loading times" are basically a given, but the DualSense's haptic feedback will be used to convey "the natural ambience of this alien planet as the controller mimics its environmental effects". Sounds interesting. The controller's triggers are being put to good use as well. Squeeze the L2 button down half way to aim down the sights of your weapon, but if you push it down all the way, you'll activate the gun's Alt-Fire mode.

Additionally, 3D audio sounds like it'll take immersion to the next level. Haveri says we should prepare to be "haunted" by the environmental ambience. "Even in a moment of silence you can take in the atmosphere and feel like you are actually alone on an alien planet," he says.

We're very curious to give this one a try. Thankfully, it's not too far away, with a release date of 19th March 2021. Are you looking forward to Returnal on PS5? Fire some shots in the comments section below.

[source blog.playstation.com]