The Finnish development team Housemarque has published its latest HouseCast development diary on its official Youtube profile, where in addition to seeing two team members discussing Returnal it is also possible to take a look at new gameplay footage.
The game director of Returnal Harry Krueger discussed the team’s willingness to bring Housemarque’s signature gameplay from 2D or top-down perspectives to a third-person view, mentioning the challenges of adding verticality and threats from multiple angles. As for the controls, Krueger talks about the desire for responsive, tight, and intuitive gameplay.
It was also reiterated that the game will use the adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller. The team is using the L2 key to give the player two functions instead of just one; pulling the trigger halfway will aim down, and pressing it fully will switch the weapon to alternate firing mode. Everything has been designed to be intuitive and seamless, and you can also fully customize the controls if you want a more traditional experience.
Waiting to discover new details on Returnal, we remind you that the title will debut on Sony’s next-generation console of PS5 on March 19, 2021. According to Mikael Haveri, marketing director of the Finnish software house, it will be the most ambitious project ever carried out by the team.
The official synopsis of the title reads as follows, while the new gameplay footage can be watched at the bottom of this article:
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 relentless roguelike 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, forcing 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 visceral twists and turns through 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.