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Returnal review — like beating your head against a fun wall | Venturebeat

Returnal is a good game that is held back by pacing issues due to a lack of smaller goals that break up its roguelite structure.

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venturebeat.com
P_Bomb1489d ago (Edited 1489d ago )

“...still hate feeling like I need to feather a button to avoid accidentally blowing my crucial special move. This is especially annoying when the controller has unused buttons that could’ve served this purpose.”

You can change the control scheme; dedicate L2 to ADS and R1 to alt. Confirmed by other reviews.

Mr Pumblechook1489d ago

Jeff Grubb is the Xbox's chief cheerleader.
Jeff Grubb is the close friend of Aaron Greenberg who often gives him controlled leaks.
Jeff Grubb is the guy who wrote that article that was pure speculation talking about how bad things are at PlayStation, he was the instigator of the past month's doom and gloom.
Jeff Grubb is the guy ResetEra love!

- no surprise that Jeff Grubby gives Returnal its lowest score!

Ausbo1489d ago

This is a false narrative. He’s wrote multiple positive PlayStation articles lately talking about PlayStation’s first party superiority.

So what if Jeff grubb didn’t like the game. It’s literally his opinion and not anyone else’s.

Imagine getting angry for one persons opinion on a game.

Mr Pumblechook1489d ago (Edited 1489d ago )

@Ausbo. You are presenting a false narrative by attempting to frame my legitimate reference to Jeff Grubb's behaviour as unhappiness at the score!

The comment was in fact highlighting how a blogger/reporter who has the closest affiliation to Microsoft's Xbox division, has a record for spreading unfounded FUD, is the person to give the game its lowest score equivalent of 60%. His record and his historical behaviour gives context here today.

Tacoboto1489d ago

Good journalists step back from potential conflicts of interest regardless of how objective they are or can be.

IGN's podcasters have mentioned casually "ah, can't review that game!" when talking about something like GoT last year, but have a friend working at SuckerPunch.

Jeff Grubb, friend of Xbox executives, just had an article criticizing a PS executive and the PS strategy of supposedly moving away from small games and going all in on blockbusters.

It is very convenient for that narrative that he is amongst the lowest scores for this game, a full $70 AAA release, a first from Housemarquee, known for making smaller games.

darthv721489d ago (Edited 1489d ago )

Is this one written by JG's alter ego: https://n4g.com/news/241470...

FWIW, the game looks fine to me so maybe these guys who struggle with it just have lost their skill over time. I know i have but i wouldnt hold it against the game.

Edgelordsupreme1489d ago

Or he thinks it’s a 3 out of 5 game which is far from a bad score. It’s amazing to me that you would think a grown employed adult views things through a fanboy lense. If you think any news critical of Sony is down to some kind of ulterior motive, than I’m sorry you might not be emotionally or mentally capable of having these kinds of debates.

Bye now, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

gravedigger1489d ago

Jeff Grubb shits on Sony since last year because he didn't received a PS5, but of course, he received a XSX.

gravedigger1489d ago

@Tacoboto

Quote :

Jeff Grubb, friend of Xbox executives, just had an article criticizing a PS executive and the PS strategy of supposedly moving away from small games and going all in on blockbusters.

.....
He is a flip-flop man.
Actually, he updated that article because he tried to spread false narrative about Sony moving away from indie games.

https://twitter.com/JeffGru...

"OK. I updated the Jim Ryan story after some fair criticism about my characterization of Sony's current indie efforts. Hopefully the extra nuance helps."

It removes the muddiness that had the larger point hidden behind an objectively false statement.

Just check the official PS channel on youtube, you'll se a bunch of indie games showcases. Playstation's social media presence is filled with highlighting indie games daily and their presentations revealing the PS5 and its line-up were chock full of them. Yoshida is leading their indie initiative and they did the whole "Playstation Indies" initiative last year and they continue to spend to get titles like Kena, Sifu and Stray on their platform. Their previous SOP in Feb had bunch of indies.

I mean, WTF??

majiebeast1488d ago

Yeah xbox shill reviewing a Playstation game and then giving it a low score, im so shocked.

Ninver1488d ago

He sounds like a grub alright

Rhythmattic1488d ago

Abizzel...

You literally removed "excalibur"
A worthy retort indeed.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 1488d ago
neutralgamer19921489d ago

86/100 after 82 reviews is pretty awesome. We get it every now and than someone will score it lower just to get clicks/start a fanboy back and forth. Jeff grubbs has a checkered past when it comes to clickbait/fanboy articles

Edgelordsupreme1489d ago

You can’t just declare every lower score to be for clicks, that’s utterly insane.

neutralgamer19921489d ago

Edgelordsupreme

My apologies I didn't mean to say everyone but Jeff grubbs and few others like him. There should be valid criticism of any media but when someone complains of control scheme and doesn't mention the fact that the developers allow you change the control scheme to their preference

So yes not all below average/negative reviews are for clickbaits or for Fanboy agenda there should be valid criticism of all media as long as it's deserved. But this is the same site where the reviewer of the game couldn't even get past the tutorial section of cuphead

Neonridr1489d ago

* or they didn't enjoy it as much as the next person (which is ok too)

CrimsonWing691489d ago

It blows my mind how these “game critics” get their job. You’d think being a critic this would be a point they’d make or even bring up in the review that the default control scheme didn’t work for them but tweaking the control layout made it more playable for them, but no… that’s asking a game journalist to do too much apparently and y’know, actually properly review a game instead of doing a 1st grade book report on it.

Neonridr1489d ago

that's great news, but if it's so easy to do that, then why wasn't this thought up before?

just curious.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1488d ago
1489d ago Replies(1)
ThePacemaker1489d ago (Edited 1489d ago )

It is funny when Xbox fan site reviews a Sony exclusive.

galmi1489d ago

we get it, any not so stellar review is an xbox shill sheesh aren't you guys tired

MetalProxy1489d ago

We get it you want to defend the bad review and the Xbox lover. You guys never cease to amaze me

King_Noctis1489d ago

Why? Did MS pay VentureBeat to give low review to Returnal or something?

Napoca71489d ago

Microsoft's & Jeff grub are trying everything :)

RazzerRedux1489d ago

Crackdown 3 is good, and polish doesn’t matter
By Jeff Grubb

"Without qualification, it is a great game."

https://venturebeat.com/201...

Nyxus1489d ago

"Polish doesn’t matter. You just need to refine your tastes"

"When I play God of War, the “quality” is easy to see on the screen. It’s obvious in every frame of animation how much time and effort went into making it look incredible. And yet, I never enjoyed playing it.

The polish in God of War doesn’t do anything for me. And at least some of the love for the game comes from people who are still waiting for their tastes to fully mature. Gaming fans want to recognize God of War as better than Crackdown 3 because it looks like it should be better. One is about a father learning to actually have a relationship with his son. It’s a serious game for big, grownup serious boys! And the other is about a cop who jumps high and collects magical glowing orbs."

Lol! Olympic level gymnastics right there.

RazzerRedux1489d ago

@Nyxus

Seriously. Are we really surprised that the guy who thinks Crackdown 3 is better than God of War doesn't like Returnal? In my mind, Returnal couldn't get any more of an endorsement.

RauLeCreuset1489d ago

Wow. There's reason to suspect him of bias, but what's it matter with hot takes like that? That tells me enough about his tastes to disregard his reviews, biased or not.

RazzerRedux1489d ago (Edited 1489d ago )

Review in a nutshell:

"I suck at this game and that means this game is just ok"

@Milkshake212

That's hilarious. This guy should not be reviewing difficult games at all.

1489d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (58)
130°

Housemarque Reveals It Has No Plans For Live Service Or Free-To-Play Title

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.”

kpgs5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Why would they change? That's not where their expertise is.

Redgrave5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

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.

Cellblock115d ago

Well whats different about Housemarque which Sony also owns that they can tell Sony what they will and wont do but the others couldn't?

derek5d ago

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.

Eonjay5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

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.

Show all comments (22)
150°

Returnal's PS5 Pro upgrade delivers a huge resolution boost and improved performance

One of the best PS5 exclusives looks and plays better on PS5 Pro. Digital Foundry reports.

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eurogamer.net
jznrpg22d ago

I’ll have to start a new run sometime

Knushwood Butt22d ago

I'll have to get a Pro sometime!

VenomUK22d ago

If you’re sure you want one get it before the price rise.

Knushwood Butt22d ago

Yeah, thanks.

I'd like one but can't justify it right now.

jjb198122d ago

I just played it on the pro earlier and its so smooth and looks much sharper than the base PS5.

Ninver22d ago

This game looks incredible. The gameplay is engaging. Formula for a good time.

Aloymetal22d ago

Just counting the days till DS2 release, It's gonna look crazy good on the pro, can't wait.

anast21d ago

And it looks like Sam got over his haphephobia. It's going to be good.

Show all comments (13)
260°

Returnal ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’ patch now available

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."

Crazyglues27d ago

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

garos8227d ago

it remains my favourite PS5 exlusive till date. severely underrated

RaiderNation27d ago (Edited 27d ago )

It's also still the only new first party IP released this generation on PS5. Everything else has either been sequels or remakes/remasters.

RaiderNation27d ago (Edited 27d ago )

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.

RaiderNation27d ago

@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!

VersusDMC27d ago

@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.

StormSnooper27d ago (Edited 27d ago )

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.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 27d ago
VenomUK26d ago

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!

Knushwood Butt26d ago

Venom

Did you get as far as the first boss?

Storm2326d ago

@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.

Abear2126d ago

That underwater level…chef kiss video game magic mystery sauce type stuff

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 26d ago
1nsomniac27d ago

It’s a great game but why does this comment sound so much like it was AI written…. They’re among us!

Stwert26d ago

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.

Abear2126d ago (Edited 26d ago )

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.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 26d ago
Eonjay27d ago

This is so crazy I just started playing again 2 days ago! Nice!

jznrpg27d ago

One of the best games this gen

Elda27d ago

I've got to try some Returnal again on my PS5 Pro, it's one of my favorite games this generation.

Luc2027d ago

That's great news! Because of the coop mode I was able to beat some bosses. Gonna play more after the update

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