What Progress is Permanent in Returnal?
In Returnal, a roguelike action game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, players can expect a unique experience with each cycle of the game. The game’s design emphasizes the concept of repetition and learning from failure, with each iteration providing new opportunities to improve and advance. In this article, we will explore the various types of progress that are permanent in Returnal, helping you understand what stays with you between cycles and what can be lost.
Xenotech Upgrades
One of the most significant permanent progress systems in Returnal is the Xenotech upgrade tree. Xenotech upgrades are permanent and carry over between cycles. These upgrades are obtained by defeating bosses, collecting artifacts, and completing specific challenges. As you progress through the game, you will unlock new upgrades, which will permanently affect your character’s abilities and stats.
| Xenotech Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Icarian Grapnel | Allows for movement between biomes |
| Shieldbreaker | Increases damage output against bosses |
| Overdrive | Increases firepower and movement speed |
Artifact Progression
In addition to Xenotech upgrades, artifacts are another type of permanent progress in Returnal. Artifacts are reusable between cycles, allowing you to carry over your knowledge and experience between runs. Artifacts can be collected by scanning specific locations, defeating certain enemies, or completing specific challenges.
| Artifact | Effect |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Filter | Reduces toxic gas damage |
| Gravitational Anchor | Increases gravity, allowing for more precise aiming |
| Solar Shield | Provides temporary invincibility against enemy attacks |
Research Progress
Another significant aspect of permanent progress in Returnal is research. Research is not lost between cycles, and as you progress through the game, you will uncover new information about enemies, weapons, and bosses. This knowledge will aid you in subsequent cycles, helping you make informed decisions and adapt to new challenges.
| Research Subject | Effect |
|---|---|
| Enemy Behavior | Reveals enemy AI patterns and weaknesses |
| Weapon Efficiency | Increases damage output and effectiveness of certain weapons |
| Boss Strategies | Provides insights into boss weaknesses and strategies |
Story Progress
While not as directly impactful as Xenotech upgrades or artifact progression, story progress is also permanent in Returnal. As you play through the game, you will uncover the game’s narrative, which will remain with you between cycles. This helps to create a sense of continuity and direction, guiding your progress and emphasizing the importance of exploration and discovery.
Boss Respawn
Another important aspect of Returnal’s permanence is the ability to respawn boss characters. Bosses do not stay dead between cycles, and players can choose to fight them again, with the opportunity to improve their strategies and progress.
Cycle Time
The time it takes to complete a cycle of Returnal is another aspect that can be affected by permanent progress. Cycle time is reduced as players progress, allowing for faster completion of each iteration. This is a key aspect of the game’s design, encouraging players to learn from their failures and improve their skills to achieve greater efficiency.
Conclusion
In Returnal, there are several types of progress that are permanent between cycles, including Xenotech upgrades, artifact progression, research, story progress, and the ability to respawn bosses. These systems work together to create a sense of continuity and direction, encouraging players to learn from their failures and improve their skills. By understanding what progress is permanent in Returnal, you can better plan your cycles and make the most of your time in the game.