Returnal - Easy Allies Review

Returnal is a great new step for Housemarque on the PS5, thanks to its excellent gameplay, intriguing narrative, and replayability. Review Copy Provided by PlayStation
Written by Bradley Ellis
Video Edited by Ian Hinck
Reviewed on PlayStation 5
Available for PlayStation 5
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#EasyAllies #Returnal

[@Warrenoh]

God, I love this mans voice.

[@donaldglover8212]

Brandon Jones baby

[@jaypappo]

Since Game Trailers!

[@maruiman3182]

Yeah, ever since Gametrailers.

[@havoc2431]

Brandons voice is like my childhood lol

[@jdbruiser]

The only critical voice I want to hear and trust immeasurably.

[@emeraldo]

Yoko Taro actually tweeted about this game. Highest praise in my eyes.

[@TDWIG123]

Is there a translated tweet somewhere?

[@saniakshay12]

Wait that was the official Yoko Taro account?! That’s awesome!! I thought it was a fan account lol!

[@FF18Cloud]

He would do that Last time Nier came out, he went on about how call of duty was a thing and assassin's creed, to check out those games instead of his talk about nier

[@Gambenoful]

Doesnt suprise me. Yoko loves to add other game elements into his games, and one of these is bullet hell shooter type gameplay which this game does as well.

[@zachjennings5320]

Makes sense Yoko taro does love him some bullet hell

[@Ruko]

Really happy to have this type of game on the spotlight, Housemarque deserves a big hit after sort of retiring of doing arcadie games.

[@MichaelROLeary]

A+ audio cue on the score reveal Ian.

[@danoschwab9937]

Ian is such a good editor :)

[@IFinishedAVideoGame]

I know everyone got excited about Demons Souls and Spiderman but this is the real first PS5 exclusive that I have excitement for. Seeing a sci fi HD AAA Binding of Isaac is something I never thought I'd see and I am damn excited to play it

[@arijan-itanmuratovic7495]

Just because its a rouglike doesn't mean it has many similarities to binding of isaac

[@IFinishedAVideoGame]

@@arijan-itanmuratovic7495 well sure, I don't mean it's literally like Binding of Isaac but just that it's more similar to that kind of rougelike than say Hades. It's become a big genre!

[@joshuawiljanen3403]

For years I've wanted an actual 3D Binding of Isaac.

[@IWantToStayAtYourHouse]

@@joshuawiljanen3403 play risk of rain 2 then.

[@joshuawiljanen3403]

@@IWantToStayAtYourHouse I have an I love it but it's not nearly as good as The Binding of Isaac. I want hundreds of weapons that interact and stack with each other.

[@MilesWilliams88]

It's a shame that there's not many permanent upgrades. One of the best things about Hades is feeling stronger each run.

[@blazejay202]

I agree..I feel like nothing when I come back from dying.

[@Mangoverboard1]

Great review and edit, covered so much. Really hyped to get my hands on this.

[@mrlanerama2801]

Brad's reviews just keep getting better and better! Really enjoyed this one. Nice work Allies!

[@jesse1086]

AN 8.5 FROM THE ALLIES THEMSELVES THE HYPE IS REAL LETS GO BOYS

[@liquidignigma]

These guys could review E.T. for the Atari and I still would watch the review, hands down best reviewing format and voice.

[@Scitch-et4vk]

Et on Atari is not even that bad

[@SourRobo8364]

This is the gameplay I wanted for Matterfall when they dropped that reveal trailer.

[@GameNGain]

I hope this game gets the mainstream attention it deserves!

[@jdbruiser]

I think it's had enough of that thankfully-I mean it's a big PS exclusive-the biggest since Demon Souls came out.

[@GameNGain]

@@jdbruiser yeah I guess you are right. I hope that it’s sells well is what I wanted to get across

[@rynegreen7902]

Well, Sony just acquire Housemarque so I would say the studio and their games will be getting more attention now

[@GameNGain]

@@rynegreen7902 great to hear!

[@gbzmr]

Great review Brad! With Ps5 games being $90 up here in Canada, I will have to wait for this to go on sale down the road, but im definitely adding it to my list. This review sold me for sure.

[@Gamingistherapyforme]

Ive been on the hype train from the announcement. Im so glad its doing so well.

[@TheDeconstructivist]

For anyone coming to this review late, the Day 1 patch did resolve the most noticeable performance issues (e.g. the hitching on mini-map load). The game plays like butter.

[@joeymdistasio]

when i get my ps5 in 2 years when they start being available i can’t wait to play this

[@NoctLightCloud]

maybe game prices will then drop from 70€ to 50€ 😂

[@Dusterdimmu81]

I got a copy for $45. Not a bad price. $70 is a bit too high

[@brandongabel]

Some of the gameplay and art design reminds me of a mix between Doom Eternal and Nier Automata. That makes me excited to play it

[@BOTCHED]

So glad that this game is good, Housemarque deserves much more recognition.

[@arsnakehert]

I opened three tabs for Returnal reviews here on KZbin, but Easy Allies must be the first one I'll watch

[@jdbruiser]

It sucks their thumbnail isn't at the top-it's as if they expect us to click on IGN, Gamespot or ACG first.

[@haravikk]

Would EZA consider doing extra videos with breakdowns on how some of these scores are calculated? I was expecting a 9 at least from the tone of the review, so the 8.5, while still excellent, was a little surprising, as minor performance issues surely aren't good grounds to mark down a prerelease game, especially when it's described as "jarring" rather than "got me killed repeatedly"?

[@illegal_Leonard]

Appreciate you actually saying the score at the end of the review. More often than not, I’m doing something while enjoying your videos so I’m not looking at the screen.

[@barrandskies4725]

It was sold out at all my local stores, so I downloaded it today on the PlayStation store. This game is insane!

[@VelimirSaban]

THE VOICE of game reviews. Love you man.

[@tuliobednarczukpecinemisko5606]

This is the game that had me hyped for the PS5.Glad to see it delivers!

[@SeaToSkyImages]

This game looks flippin' nuts. I'm so in.

[@thatdude778]

I'm not really into many rouguelike/rouguelite games, but I'm very happy with this purchase. The main reason I bought it was because it's the first game to really show off the duel sense outside of Astros playroom. Now I'm obsessed with the gameplay! I also like that it supports the pulse headsets 3D audio. Game is definitely a showcase for PS5's tech!

[@prepswag5]

Reviews are always on point!

[@fathercashew]

It’s nothing close to the genre but it gives me Metroid vibes in a way. Might help satiate me until Prime 4 in 2025. :P I was really curious about this one and hoped it would turn out well. Glad to hear it’s fun! Great review, Brad and excellent edit, Ian.

[@Clarkey7163]

Am super pumped for this game, just want it to kick my ass but make me feel so good after dropping a boss!

[@Erlaxis]

As someone who enjoys hard games, I have to say this game has been kickimg my ass quite brutally. Maybe I'm getting old for this, but the fact i that I love the sci fi setting and the monsters are awesomely lovecraftian sometimes.

[@thosediamonddreams]

Wish you guys would record review footage on current gen systems in 4k. Everything squashed to 1080p looks so bad with youtube's awful compression

[@orlandomoyah4064]

Ummm...that is the resolution of the game. It doesn't have a 4K mode...that being said, doesn't take away from the gameplay or the story and I don't regret buying it on day one

[@CheckmateStallioN]

Can someone confirm tomorrow if the day 1 patch fixed the low fps issues in some areas? Waiting for DF's video on performance. Will be buying it tomorrow if the day 1 patch fixed the stutter.

[@mandrews6282]

Biomes 1 and 4 are mirrored as you mentioned, but different enough for me. But also, biomes 2 and 5 are also mirrored, the lore talks about this and you’ll recognize rooms from 2 in 5. Despite them visually looking different enough that it’s not obvious if you’re not paying attention. 2 and 5 are almost like hell literally froze over. So you’re basically going through biome 1 and 2 and a midgame crescendo in 3. Than 1 and 2 again, except the mirrored versions with 4 and 5, with 6 being the unique biome in the triplet for the finale.

[@dereka415]

I am so excited for this. Clicked on this video so fast. It could be my itch for a true next gen game.

[@faceofbear8024]

But RE8.... I know, I know that might not be truly next gen.

[@dereka415]

@@faceofbear8024 Yeah I'm excited for that game too but I'm not sure how much of the PS5 features will be implemented in RE8. I do have Demon's Souls which handles Next Gen good.

[@KevinJennissen]

Looks really interesting! Usually roguelites have more of an indie vibe, so this is pretty unique.

[@bamban_garcia5562]

_Returnal_ is an explorative platformer roguelike psychological horror bullet hell shmup third person action thriller AAA

[@milosmevzelj5205]

Glad to see great new game from Housemarque after bad Nex machina sales. This one will sell better, I hope. Certainly interested.

[@FifthOfNovember_Original]

Yep, I’m buying it!

[@Chris-qe2dq]

Can't believe how many people are complaining about the $70 price tag. Man it feels good to be an adult and have adult money

[@TempleofShaolin]

Fr all these teenagers mad

[@GT-se2eo]

Hi all. Need your help. I have full health plus 2 silphium resins. When my health goes down, which ps5 button will allow me to use those resins to bring my health back up. Couldn't figure it out. Been dieing with 2 resins unused.

[@DaddyGamerFred]

I would love to play this. When ever I find a PS5

[@igortrindade9644]

I cant see the bodies of other players. Is it a bug or is the feature missing at launch?

[@sebastianvonp1467]

was not anticipating that the game would be that good! will buy it as soon as i get a ps5. on that note, I recently played Sundered (on ps4) which has similar vibes and gameplay (in 2D). The artstyle is very distinct and I loved the sounddesign, OST and those massiv bosses! Highly recommended

[@fredguy2]

I have a feeling the story will end up explaining all the deaths and revivals in the same way as the indie game The Swapper did. In that game, you play as a lone astronaut trapped on another planet who can use a replicator to create copies of yourself in order to solve puzzles. There is a twist ending that explains who you are and what happened to all those copies you made of yourself.

[@Carrot_Handler]

Would love to play this game... But haven't managed to get a PS5 since it was available.

[@ProjectPhoenix21]

When i got my ps5 i bought Miles Morales and Demons Souls. Amazing games. Then i bought Rift Apart. Also amazing. I just bought Returnal a few days ago after making up my mind about going into this game and i gotta say, this is the reason why you own a PS5 right now. Incredible game.

[@tonygicz8]

That's a lot of money on single player games. I just got a ps5 3 days ago I do love it but I wish prices weren't 70 bucks for a damn single player game.

[@unholytako]

Mannnn I am definitely going to play this game. Right at release though? Will be tough with Nier and the MonHun update

[@Not_Liquid]

Excellent review, Brad. I cannot wait for this game.

[@TheDaquain]

Say whatever you want about playstation but when it comes to the games it's becoming a rare occasion to see them make a bad game

[@stephensporman8206]

That's been Sony's whole M.O. since 95. They let their games do the talking. Love how everyone was bitching about them just last month for focusing on the big AAA blockbuster games but then they come out with this. Playstation has never let the community down with their games. I don't expect that to change this generation

[@kraenk12]

When have they EVER made a bad game?

[@swordfish_00830]

Been looking forward to this game since the reveal trailer. Even after watching the review. I feel like I'll still be able to be surprised going into the game.

[@kif1983]

When you figure a game just isn't for your taste 3 minutes into the review, but you don't want to be a bad stat in EZAs engagement metrics so you watch till the end anyway.

[@robertstimmel1100]

I don't have a PS5 yet, and will probably spend money on PC upgrades before buying one, but this is on my short-list for whenever I do get my hands on a new console (right behind Demon's Souls)

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

I don't have a ps5 yet but I will support Housemarque who have always delivered new ip's and dared to be different.

[@jonascelentano9251]

this is the reason i bought this game, not my style, but gotta try, and its worth it alone too suport housemarqe

[@iHeartGameDev]

Top-tier Housemarque!

[@ComicsLamar]

Can already tell this game will be my jam! But I wish wish WISH it had co-op campaign!

[@afropovic]

Co-op would have been stunning

[@Glass444]

Her name is Selene (Jane Perry)

[@anthonydevetis7221]

So I’m new to roguelites. Narratively, does this game have an end? Will I know when I’ve essentially finished and can put it down knowing that I at least beat the core of the story?

[@Syktris]

Yes, there will be an ending and you'll know when you've finished the story

[@Nifava]

There are actually several endings.

[@aqurk]

Great game that deserves more recognition. Well written review Brad.

[@MVP_MAGAZINE]

Makes me proud to actually own a PlayStation five So many good games out and around the corner

[@coyotebones1131]

This is a glimpse of what a AAA Metroid could have been, I love this game, and hate it at the same time

[@OniScythe]

Ive been interested in this game since i first saw the trailer. If only i could find a ps5. :/

[@LaPoboy]

Is this the guy from GT?!? Every time I watch a game review I think about how great the classic GT reviews were. This is great news that the best game reviewer lives on!

[@EasyAllies]

Yep, we're all from GT. We started Easy Allies shortly after GameTrailers went under. -Bloodworth

[@MFx88]

Yeah opening and closing the map during an intense battle is a really good test of performance. Should be our industry go to test from now on. And a magic tip: dont say there are 6 biomes and voila, spoiler free.

[@UssyMustyYS]

Speed run of this game will be LEGENDARY

[@Deathmetal247]

I just got a ps5 the other week. Loving this game

[@bengejuknowit3048]

This looks the part & plays well but it's frustrating if you pre ordered like me thinking it's a sci fi shooter with different difficultly options! This game was never shown as being a "dark souls difficultly" type game in trailers etc. I literally found that out launch day. I knew your supposed to die & respawn but the fact it takes ages to go through a level & you can't save progress & if you turn off console it resets progress is unbelievable! I've never known of a game doing that b4! Put in save points for progress & the game is redeemed but I can't see a lot of people completing this game in its current state!

[@Clesstan]

Awesome 👌 picking it up day 1 it is then. Great work on the review guys. I'll come back later to "watch it" cuz I just listened (sorry Ian, I know you did a great job just by listening to the audio lol)

[@AidenIlkhani]

Bought, preloaded, ready.

[@RedSoakedSponge]

ive completed this game multiple times now and still havent seen a body of another player.... is it bugged atm?

[@richardsavings6690]

A mix between Risk Of Rain 2 and Furi, the story being a character study of a lone space explorer? I officially have a reason to get a PS5 now.

[@thevito1091]

Interesting . I’ll wait for the pc version !

[@n64central]

Can you make something clear to me? You said that even if you beat a biome you have to find a portal to get the shortcut. So does this mean no matter what even on the 5th one, I will return to the first world?

[@dragons_red]

Yes it is roguelike/roguelite, which means death restarts you at the very beginning.

[@n64central]

@@dragons_red i get that, but not all rougelike does it like this game does. I can’t get a straight answer lol

[@ourepicadventure1]

@@n64central you start at the beginning yes but there are short cuts to each zone you unlock

[@michaelmarbach6250]

This looks right up my alley, which makes it all the more frustrating how scarce PS5s are.

[@64ccd]

I’m hoping I’ll like this game even though I didn’t click with Hades at all. Making it to the last boss on my third attempt just to die and know I’ll have to go through all of those levels again felt debilitating, so I never went back. I hope the fact that I can skip bosses will make it feel less like that... I’m starved for a ps5 exclusive dammit!

[@nusoul]

Hell yeah my copy just shipped from Gamefly this morning. Excited as hell to play this, just didn't wanna go in on the 70 dollar price tag. Glad it's getting great reviews though because it looks refreshing for a AAA game and I've devoured Hades and Risk of Rain 2.

[@scottd7222]

I assume you loved this game. I had a blast playing this

[@bryanmoberg8408]

Looks great but $70 is a tough sell with RE8 just around the corner. Maybe I'll grab it in the gap between re8 and rift apart/ff7r

[@jeremehiestand7716]

1) It's great to see Brad grow as a reviewer, his scripts have gotten markedly better over the years. 2) I'm in full support of the auditory score callout at the end. It took a review or two to settle in, but now it feels necessary. 3) I love y'all.

[@princephillip1481]

Outstanding. Can't wait to play. 👍👏🙂

[@MikkiZHskDK]

what happens if i close the game entirely after beating a boss, do i lose everything or still able to start from where i killed the boss

[@seanatkins4978]

You have to start again unfortunately

[@MikkiZHskDK]

@@seanatkins4978 yeah they need to fix that, wouldnt be fun to play this game at the evening, having a job or friend come over, or go to sleep just to start ALL over when closing the game, not many have the time to play a full run of a game in 1 setting :( and sleeping mode isnt a good idea if you wanna do something else

[@battlep0t]

At the moment you have to start again (you wont have to redo any boss fights though - they're one and done). Housemarque have implied that they're looking into adding a save feature in a future patch.

[@MikkiZHskDK]

@@battlep0t not exactly true, you dont lose your permanent progression, which mean you dont lose your boss kill or anything that would be permanent progress afterward, :) only everything you normally lose on death is lost when you close the game, nothing else

[@gavandwina.5889]

Good good job on the game guys👍I will be buying this bad boy, keep up the good work !

[@paulseidler1644]

Looks good. At least by the time I get a ps5 this should be discounted lol. Should make for an easy immediate purchase.

[@meteorjuice4088]

Yeesh the gameplay mechanics checks all the best boxes. Might have to get a PS5 soon

[@originz7760]

Just got to the final boss of the game. He is not for the feint hearted that's for sure, he is possibly even more difficult than Nemesis, the boss in the 3rd biome. Nevertheless I cant stop going back to it. It has it's faults but it has me hooked. Over all this game is freaking awesome. Has to be a GOTY contender, up to now at least. A must own for anyone with a ps5, imo

[@stonerdemon]

Can't wait for the inevitable John Lannister DLC.

I really don't understand some reviewers, both mixed reviews graded not the game but the rouge-like genre as a whole. These stupid people do not understand that they need to review the game within its genre of rogue-like and not criticise it for choosing that genre!

[@Syktris]

I mean it most likely has to do with it being $70

[@note4note804]

Can anyone confirm what an average run in the game takes time-wise? This is making it sound like a run might be 6 hours long unless I was not understanding the breakdown of areas.

[@sablemae8853]

The game can take at least 30 hrs to beat but a run once you get the shortcuts can be 4-6 hrs. One guy said it was 50 hrs before he beat it but his last run was 4hrs 16 minutes.

[@note4note804]

@@sablemae8853 Thanks for the heads up.

[@sablemae8853]

@@note4note804 no problem. It's kinda been confusing for people. Only reason I knew was ho many misunderstood his tweet thinking it took him 4 hrs to beat

[@robotsex111]

Man, this game looks beautiful. If I had a PS5, I'd get it.

[@fabricioycaza]

this game looks fun!

[@TheMatrix10]

Hmm might wait on this game 🤔

[@faceofbear8024]

Every game is bound to be 50% off eventually.

[@Urlastnerve]

@@faceofbear8024 keyword “eventually”

[@ourepicadventure1]

@@faceofbear8024 not breath of the wild lol

[@faceofbear8024]

@@ourepicadventure1 Okay, every non Nintendo game is 50% off eventually

[@brennanwn]

Another great review

[@NoctLightCloud]

his voice though!! 10/10

[@adingdingdiiing6740]

Ahh, reminds me of Vanquish. Not in the gameplay mechanics but the fact that I thought it'll be another generic shooter but not really. It has something distinct to it.

[@thepuppetmaster9284]

Looks like Sony / Housemarque have a home run with this one. Ok then, i’ll put this game on my buying list. Great review btw 👍

[@IAm.Messmer.Brother.Of.Malenia]

man i want this game so bad but you know

[@humanity_restored8761]

Mass Effect Andromeda meets Nier Automata.

[@roof1975]

Not exactly. Good luck tho! lol Maybe in some looks. But not core gameplay dude.

[@sabakunovedo]

The game is just amazing. Gameplay is smooth as silk and I'm enjoying every second of it. Can't wait to explore more and savor this precious gem.

[@joeyxl3456]

nice

[@dannybski9620]

this game looks super intimidating, but it's welcoming to hear that after 20 hours you already saw the ending (albeit there is more mystery). In Hades, I clocked 90 hours and about as many runs, and I still have mysteries to solve. Sorry Hades, that's just too many runs.

[@Coreyahno]

My backlog is just too massive and filled with older $10-$20 games to justify spending $75 on a video game. Except Resident Evil 8 because I’ve been obsessed with that series since the 90s 😁

[@koshobai]

This has such strong Metroid vibes... Incredible. Organic. Eerily shiny. ...Yum. 😋

[@bigbutterbuns360]

Best reviews in the business 👌

[@jroaduri]

Gotta wait till a next gen console is available to buy before I can even think about this game