Returnal

Returnal is a mind-bending, fast-paced thrill ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. The roguelike elements make every run feel fresh, but it can get punishing at times. Still, the atmosphere and story pulled me in, and I couldn’t stop playing. Please don't hate me but I still can't complete the game on Co-op, it is very hard!

A fairly run-of-the-mill sci-fi shooter. A good amount of challenge but the story was not overly engaging for me personally.

Returnal is an insanely good roguelike shooter that can be devastating at times. The challenges in this game are thrilling and intense, and the story is abstract enough to make it engaging. The dreamlike sequences in between the gameplay add depth to the game, even if some of the twists are a bit on the nose or nonsensical. I appreciate what this game is trying to do, and it doesn't need any more than it offers.

Returnal is simply one of my favorite games. Its setting, combat, enemy design, gameplay loop, UI, soundtrack, ambient sounds...essentially everything is spot on. I played it, then played it again, and then jumped back in for the DLC. And I'm looking forward to when my memory fades a bit and I can play it yet again like (almost) new. The story was a little murky for me, and I had to look online for other people's interpretations to figure it out. But the only real weak spot was Selene, who is not very likeable, but that's not a huge deal. Housemarque did an incredible job and has me looking forward to Saros.