Announced on the PlayStation Blog, Housemarque’s incredible 2021 sci-fi shooter Returnal now has a release date for its PC launch. Returnal will come to Steam on February 15, and pre-orders are already open on the game’s page. The robust port will feature DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers if you play with PlayStation’s controller, as well as the expected keyboard and mouse support.
On PC, Returnal includes NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR to allow play at higher framerates while displaying in high resolution. Returnal is known for being hard as nails, so you’re going to want every frame per second your computer can afford. While the PS5 version of Returnal featured ray-traced shadows, if your PC is powerful enough, the port allows for ray-traced reflections too. Ultrawide and Super Ultrawide aspect ratios are also supported.
On the sound front, Dolby Atmos has been added to Returnal’s audio options on PC, on top of its original 3D audio. 3D sound is a valuable tool when fighting through the bullet-hell obstacle courses that bosses throw at you in Returnal. Hearing that an enemy is above or behind you could be the difference between life and death in a game where dying means the beginning of another roguelike run.
Who’s porting Returnal to PC?
PlayStation Studios fans may notice that this port is being done by Climax Studios rather than Sony’s own PC port wizards Nixxes. Thankfully, there’s little cause for worry; Climax has handled multiple solid ports for Housemarque dating as far back as 2014 when they brought Dead Nation to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.
Returnal’s recommended PC specs were also made available, and it appears this title is more optimized than fellow PS5 console exclusive Forspoken. Though Returnal does share a high demand for RAM: at least 16GBs are required, with 32GBs being needed for play at resolutions above 1080p.
Here’s a description of Returnal via PlayStation:
- About This Game
Break the cycle as this award-winning third-person shooter brings bullet hell action to PC. Selene’s roguelike odyssey arrives with a suite of arresting graphical and performance-based enhancements to ensure an unforgettable journey. This includes the full Returnal™ experience, complete with Suspend Cycle, Photo and Co-op Modes, as well as the Tower of Sisyphus included from day one.
Background:
After crash-landing on this shape-shifting world, Selene must search through the barren landscape of an ancient civilization for her escape. Isolated and alone, she finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Again and again, she’s defeated – forced to restart her journey every time she dies. Through fast, relentless gameplay, you’ll discover that just as the planet changes with every cycle, so do the items at your disposal. Every loop offers new combinations, empowering you to push your boundaries and approach combat with a different strategy each time.Brought to life by stunning visual effects, the dark beauty of the decaying world around you is packed with explosive surprises. From high stakes, bullet hell-fuelled combat, to jaw-dropping twists and turns set across stark and contrasting environments. You’ll explore, discover and fight your way through an unforgiving journey, where mystery stalks your every move. Designed for extreme replayability, the procedural world of Returnal invites you to dust yourself off in the face of defeat and take on new, evolving challenges with every rebirth.
Returnal is the latest of PlayStation Studios’ first party titles to receive a PC port, with the next being The Last of Us Part 1. Moving forward, it’s safe to assume that PS5 exclusives published by Sony will see a PC release around two years after their launch on PlayStation. Stay tuned to Final Weapon for more updates on the company.
