Returnal remains one of the most unique PS5 exclusives on the market, and we absolutely loved it when it launched year. Since then, Housemarque has added co-op and the Endless game mode to the title, and it looks like Selene might be making the transition to PC in the near future, according to a recent leak.
So what's next for the Finnish studio? Well, they have a new IP in the works, for one thing. In an interview with VGC, Eevi Korhonen, senior narrative designer at Housemarque, discussed life after Returnal:
“Returnal was so ambitious, we dreamt super big, but we still had to leave so much on the cutting room floor. All of these ideas and narrative systems. I’m super excited to pick up those pieces and see how those fit our new IP story.
“We didn’t quite have the handle on how big [Returnal] was going to be, building for a new platform on a new engine with a new team, all of those things require some learning. Now we have that team that has gone through the fire and learned how to build a game like Returnal. So now we get to start off stronger.”
Korhonen discussed the many lessons learned during the development process, and what it was like creating a game with a larger focus on narrative than anything the studio had done before:
“I think we’ve learned the importance of pacing and how difficult that is in a rogue-like game,” Korhonen said. “It’s very hard to control and say ‘okay, now we hit them with this perfect story beat’, that’s kind of the beauty of linear games, you get to control that absolutely perfectly.
“Letting go of that and somehow building the sandbox or the playground for players in a way that means certain story blocks become available is challenging.”
“You’ve got to just like tempt them with this foreshadowing, and teasing them like ‘hey, soon you’re going to get this story block are you excited?’ and hope that they grab on to it before the next thing needs to happen,” Korhonen explained.
When asked if Selene's story was over, Korhonen said the following:
“(laughing) I can’t comment on that too much. But I think the boys did slip sometime earlier this year that we are working on an original IP. Of course, if we return to Selene’s story after that, remains to be seen.”
Are you excited to see a new IP from Housemarque, or would you rather see a sequel to Returnal? Break free from the loop in the comments section below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 28
um save state its a thing dont fix it if it aint broke, they changed start and select but please dont take away save state. if returnal hits steam il put a save state mod on it......im no kidding 😂
One game i couldnt get in to. I liked the idea and the gameplay loop was reasonably fun but ive just got too many games that im juggling to be stuck replaying the same section over and over. Add in the jump scares from the house and i was gone. I dont so jump scares 😂😂
@Mad001 They still haven't added save states? Dang that's ridiculous.
I hope they still make time to produce some smaller games from time to time like Nex Machina.
Returnal still holds a special place in my heart.... my personal 2021 GOTY without doubt! The DLC drop was immense also, and can't wait to see what Housemarque have up their sleeve next.
Of course Returnal had flaws, and it was slightly obnoxious not to include 'suspend' from Day 1 (!), but I'm really hopefully that HM will learn from these aspects and create an incredible experience with their next offering
I’m really looking forward to playing Returnal once I can finally get my hands on a PS5!
I'd love some more DLC, even if its paid. I have so many hours in Returnal and just want more to be honest. It's fantastic
Im glad they are working on a new IP.
I enjoyed Returnal but was disappointed that some of the coolest things like the house in the jungle are restricted to a handful of occurrences. I really thought they were going to be utilized more.
A new IP sounds great. I’d love to see something new and different rather than just churning out more of the same, as much as I loved Returnal.
@KidBoruto You can save and quit. You can't save, die and go back to the save from a couple minutes ago, which I think is what @Mad001 is suggesting.
@CJD87 one of my top 10 games for sure
Looking forward to trying this via PS++
@theMEGAniggle I've never formulated an official Top 10 (would like to though) but I would 100% put Returnal in there somewhere, maybe even top 5 territory.
I can't wait for this game to get some decent exposure via PS++.... there must surely be many fence-sitters who are hesitant to shell out £70 to buy, but will give it a whirl via the new service.
Hopefully it converts more players!
I really hope it's not another roguelike. I know some people adored Returnal, but that is what ruined it for me. Even essentially allowing save scumming didn't really help much.
Hopefully they go back to making "normal" games as I likely would have loved the game if it was a more traditional 3rd person shooter. I actually thought everything but the fact that it was a roguelike was really well done.
That's how most every game development studios work; they always have ideas and concepts that didn't make it into their last game, but can inspire their next. Not really too special, nor very indicative of the direction of their next game.
Still haven't played Returnal. I really want to, though. I almost instantly regretted getting Deathloop last year instead of it.
I struggle to think what could be added narratively to Returnal that wouldn’t take something away from Selene’s journey. It’s a complete and great package as is, where the mechanics support the story and vice versa. Hades opened my eyes to how varied and sustainable a narrative can be within the rogue-like genre and I’m hoping some of it’s concepts find their way into Housemarque’s next project.
Looking forward to finally playing Returnal next week when it comes to PS+ extra
@Voltan manual saves these are auto saves? complete nightmare , the elder Scrolls oblivion auto saves used to load in a crash lol
Returnal is cracking game, though I think the runs were maybe a bit too gruelling with the odd room that could completely blow your run apart. The moment to moment gameplay is so tight though. I know they are inspired by arcade games and structure but would love to see them have a crack at a 3d metroidvania.
Really pleased they are working on a new IP and hopefully it will be as original and interesting as Returnal was.
@Voltan When you reload the save does it make you start all over from the first Biome again?
@KidBoruto If you save and quit, you start exactly where you were next time. If you die, you start at the crash site.
There's also a bunch of permanent progression that has always been.. well... permanent
@Voltan I think what people want is a way to skip Biomes theyve already defeated before when they die.
Not that they want to spawn at the last Biome they were on before dying.
Returnal is an amazing game, one of my all time favourites. The tightest combat going in my opinion, and the intriguing plot and amazing music and sound design, it builds a real sense of atmosphere. The rouguelike elements keep it fresh every run too and the dual sense usage is top notch. Can't wait for whatever they do next.
@CJD87 the co-op addition is enough for anyone to become a lover of that game IMO. As for top 5, I think I'd put it there too.
I remember a lot of discourse about the price but it was the quickest I'd ever decided on a preorder. After seeing it was Housemarque (I don't know how may Dead Nation fans are out there) and then the trailers, I was sold on it so quickly. I think it was only £60 for the preorder on Shopto
@KilloWertz To be fair they never made "normal" games.
@Flaming_Kaiser A game that's not a rogue-like, since Returnal was their first that I know of. You know what I meant.
@KilloWertz The only games i know of are twin stick shooters and this is their first real big game.
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