Returnal, a PlayStation 5 action game about dancing with death at an inescapable time-loop space rave, is a visual delight. It’s also an aural one. And at no time is that more apparent than when you play with a pair of 3D audio headphones.
Ilari Kuittinen and Gregory Louden of Returnal developer Housemarque have revealed during an interview with Eurogamer at the studio’s 30th anniversary event last week that it has no plans to develop live-service or free-to-play games, “as long as people are buying premium games.”
Didn't stop Sony after acquiring Bluepoint, taking them from renowned remaster and remake quality and sticking them on a GoW live service title that never even went anywhere.
I can't speak to what gives Housemarque the ability to be different, but let's be thankful that they are able to do so in wake of current Sony.
That GoW live service game was the dumbest idea ever. I thought they were remaking Bloodbourne or a Demons souls expansion (covering that broken arch stone). Sony was really panicked after that abk/Microsoft news hit. I hope it was a side project for Bluepoint and that there's another one in the pipeline. That GoW game apparently never got off the ground.
Blaming Sony for pursuing Live Service when the top 5 games every month by spend and engagement are live service games is illogical. Gamers are telling Sony where to invest so there is a real disconnect between what is said online and what people actually play. Who should Sony listen to? Clearly the logical decision is to listen to people actually playing games and whether we like it or not Sony would be in vioulation of it duty to its investors if it didn't try to pursue LS. People taking out their fustrations on Live Service games by attacking Sony and using it as the industry whipping boy does not fix the industry. You are just telling the rest of the industry that they can keep doing what they are doing because they aren't called Sony. All I hear people say is that they hate live service but every single month the top games are live service. You are all either lying or you don't know what you are talking about. Sony should pursue both SP and live service games.
One of the best PS5 exclusives looks and plays better on PS5 Pro. Digital Foundry reports.
I just played it on the pro earlier and its so smooth and looks much sharper than the base PS5.
Housemarque: "Returnal PS5 Pro Enhanced Patch is Out Now! Featuring up to 2.5X the pixels on PS5 Pro for a higher resolution experience of Returnal."
Wow this is amazing, I was just replaying this game on Ps5 and loving it again, and now a patch for the Pro... Amazing... Can't wait to check it out on the Pro now...
This game needs a part 2 so bad... One of my favorite Ps5 true nex gen games... Love HourseMarque for this...
IF you have not played this do yourself a favor and get it, it's a hell of a game, tough but super fun to play.
-Love this Game
It's also still the only new first party IP released this generation on PS5. Everything else has either been sequels or remakes/remasters.
To those who disagree, please let me know what other new IP Sony has released this generation besides Returnal. Go ahead, I'll wait. And Concord doesn't count because Sony recalled it.
@Knushwood Butt
Lmao! You're seriously counting Concord? A game Sony pulled off the shelves and refunded gamers after what, two weeks? That is weak!
@RaiderNation
For New IP Sony published Rise of the Ronin, Stellar Blade and Lost Soul Aside on the third party end.
Fairgames, Saros and Intergalactic are the next new IP for first Party.
But does anyone even care about new IP? People love Valve and Nintendo but Valve doesn't even make games anymore and Nintendo doesn't make New IP that often.
It’s a great game.
@raider
But we have had more exclusives than the competition (do they even have any anymore?), and some of those are 2nd party exclusives such as Stellar Blade, Rise of Ronin, Final Fantasy Rebirth, Quantum Error, Neptunia ReVerse, Shines Over: The Damned, etc.
Then we have the first party exclusives such as: Astro Bot, Astro's Playroom (Free with PS5), Demon's Souls (yeah it’s remake but feels like a new game to me), Destruction AllStars (Free with PS Plus), Spider-Man 2, etc.
Then, there is VR games on PSVR2.
I want to try out the patch, I want to complete the game - but I can't because I can't get past the first world. And before you jump to tell me to 'get good' I tried and I couldn't!
@Venom Do you play on PS5? I would play co-op with you. Or a friend could play co-op with you. I have beaten the game a few times (been a while) and have played a lot of the Tower dlc. A friend could help you complete it.
It’s a great game but why does this comment sound so much like it was AI written…. They’re among us!
I have to agree with some of the comments regarding new IP in the PS5 generation, it has been woefully lacking to say the least. Even worse when you consider the excellent games we got in basically every other PlayStation generation.
On the bright side, Sony has finally noticed, publicly admitted and resolved to rectify the situation. Right now I can think of at least half a dozen new IP in development for PlayStation 5, the only downside is that none of them are near ready for release. So we’ve still got a fair wait.
But you know what they say, good things come to those who wait. I’ve a ridiculous backlog of games to keep me going for quite some time across four platforms. So I’ll wait (im)patiently.
Stellar blade and Returnal plus GT7 is greater than any “exclusives” trio on any other console. Pro upgrades have been gravy as most of us normie gamers enjoy third party releases too.
I’ll say it again, GTA6 is coming and, like most other games (included those ported from other consoles), Pro will be the best version unless you sit at a desk on PC to play. Oh wait, PC version coming in 6 months to a year, don’t hold your breath.
I've got to try some Returnal again on my PS5 Pro, it's one of my favorite games this generation.
That's great news! Because of the coop mode I was able to beat some bosses. Gonna play more after the update
Could have played VR for the last 5 years. You would have gotten a taste of the 3D nectar. Can't imagine what Tempest VR is going to be like. Can't wait.
Returnal Tempest 3D audio made me a believer too.
Some of the weapons sound effects second mode sound so powerful and a joy to hear.
Sound makes a difference, some people can deny it all they want. Its on the same level as visual and feel. I remember back in my CoD days in black ops, sound help me be the best. Other people like to play while listening to music or on talk on phone etc... me I listen to foot steps to get myself kills. This new gen improvement on audio, dual sense for the feels with good visual its awesome. Looking forward to the new improve VR.