Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 86 | 111 |
| Creator reviews (8 tracked) | – | 86 | 9 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 81% | 75 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 82% | 75 | 43 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 123 reviews sampled · 81 total reviews in window · weighted 71.8 up / 16.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (174)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 100
- 90
“Returnal is a moody, atmospheric and adrenaline-soaked thrill-ride. Like the most extreme rides at a theme park, this won't be for everyone. Those taken by the challenge though can buckle up safe in the knowledge that they're on-course for a bold, brutal and absolutely brilliant game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Returnal is a bold sci-fi adventure, where the plot and the setting co-exist in a very natural way, while everything else being brought to life trough unique DualSense features and great sound from Pulse 3D headset.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“For many, Returnal may be a dark horse of this year. It is definitely a great combination of two game genres, and as the icing on the cake, we have a psychological and mysterious story that attracted me more than I could have ever expected. Returnal gets 9 points out of 10. And if you're easily scared, then give it an extra point, because we have a candidate for the game of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A wonderful and engaging rogue-lite that always has surprises up its sleeve, despite not offering any big innovations or super original ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The more you learn about Selene across the game’s gripping campaign, the easier it is to relate to or, at least, agree with her observation that “I deserve to be here.” That line is also more than a little apt, as it perfectly sums up just how simultaneously rewarding and punishing it is to live in the world of Returnal. Each time you make a perfect jump and air-dash to avoid a cluster of bullets, you earn your way forward, and each time you awkwardly fall off a cliff or gawk as an explosive squid flies at you, you earn the right to try it all over again. The terse thrill of all that fragility makes this a timeless adventure well worth returning to.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Returnal is just as fantastic on PC as it was nearly two years ago on the PlayStation 5. If you’ve been dreaming of astronaut Selene Vassos’s adventure and are planning to pick it up, I can wholeheartedly recommend this game. Both the gameplay and technical aspects are definitely a success, and when you add the great story and production values to the mix, this is one of the best ports ever to arrive on the PC platform. There’s no need to beat around the bush, the PC version of Returnal earns a nine and a half out of ten from us. I really struggled to find any negatives, perhaps just the potential frustration from prolonged failure. That, however, is part and parcel of the rogue-lite genre.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Returnal is a test of the human capacity to adapt and persevere, fuelled by a relentless stream of Lovecraftian horror. Mixing roguelike mechanics with the wonders of exploration, every biome on planet Atropos offers fresh challenges through randomised gameplay design, plus satisfying gunplay. The cryptic storytelling might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it never failed to keep my attention, making Selene an intriguing protagonist. There were a few performance dips here and there, but that's to be expected with the particle effects that flood the screen. Returnal is (and was) truly an underrated gem, and I hope this PC release gets more eyes on it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Returnal couldn’t have wished for a better release date, there are no new AAA titles coming out right now, so Horsemarque’s new game takes all the publicity. It’s pretty, it’s demanding and mysterious, and it makes for tons of fun. Hopefully gamers will appreciate it as much as journalists do. A game of the year candidate?”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Returnal is in an odd place. It feels too easy for hardcore roguelike fans, but also too difficult for casual audiences. Personally, I like the middle ground that it's going for, but it still is a roguelike which means that it's burdened by annoying aspects such as terrible balancing and repetitive gameplay. On top of everything, high price tag is very off putting considering the low amount of content, even if it controls very well and is one of the best looking games of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“In an industry overflowing with sequels, copycats, and remakes, Returnal is a beacon of originality.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“I'm cynical because the assumption that Housemarque has made here is that AAA games are a genre unto themselves, one whose form is based on cinematic regurgitation, excess, and the speed of disposability. And what sucks is they're slowly being proven right. Prestige television came early to this console generation, and I'm sure for many it will happily pass the time and then it will pass away into memory because memories are short, and there's always a next big thing, and then a bigger next big thing.”
read full review ↗
Stryftek
TheReviewGeek
GameMAG
INDIANTVCZ
3DNews
Slant Magazine
Gaming Professors
Gadgets 360
GRYOnline.pl
FourFaceButtons
Seasoned Gaming
Paste Magazine…and 162 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Returnal - April 25th Patch is Now AvailableApr 25, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Returnal - April 19th Patch is Now AvailableApr 19, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Returnal - March 9th Patch is Now AvailableMar 9, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Returnal - February 17th Patch is Now AvailableFeb 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window