It had been five months since I’d last played RETURNAL when I made this recording. In anticipation of its creation, I played the game twice, recalling its controls, rhythm, and environments.
In this recording, I use both a Modified Sidearm SD-M8 and Thermogenic Launcher. My time with the former is noteworthy for its Doombringer alt-fire, whose destructive capabilities can be seen at 2:25, 3:08, 5:22, 10:48, 11:55, and 16:50. Barring a brief time with a Spitmaw Blaster, I carry a Modified Sidearm SD-M8 from 0:00 to 18:05.
When I pick up the Thermogenic Launcher at 18:05, my intention was to clear the Locked Branch with it, using its Easy to Use trait for bonus Proficiency. However, when it came time to return to the Modified Sidearm SD-M8 at 24:07, I couldn't part with the Thermogenic Launcher-it was such fun! This fun can be seen at 18:30, 20:46, 26:44, and the fight with Phrike, starting at 32:52.
The Coilspine Shredder of 26:06 presents a dilemma. With its Bonus Damage, Shattering Discs, Twin Discs, and Tendrilpod, it's an obvious choice. However, the Thermogenic Launcher I wield has been a literal and figurative blast to play. Here, I must choose between efficiency and fun-and I choose fun.
The Lobby, located at 14:16, is loaded with desirable artifacts. This run offers the Blade Balancer, Overload Rush, and Overload Bolts. While I purchase the first two, I reject the latter, which is game-breaking in its power and requires patching.
Proteron, the towers that heal hostiles with their pulsing green glow, are peculiar things. Killing one contributes to Selene’s Adrenaline and Proficiency but damaging one does not heal Selene’s Integrity regardless of Damage Siphon or Adrenaline Leech. This can be seen at 28:33.
I intended to use the Parasite Extractor at biome’s end to exchange Parasites for Obolites. Given my Nullification Spheres, the Malfunction triggered by detaching the Sparking Leadskin poses no risk. However, at 34:46 I realize I hadn't once been hit. An instant later, I wondered, “Can I do that again?” Then, a challenge formed in my mind: “Can I escort the Sparking Leadskin through the Crimson Wastes without harm?”
I wasn’t sure-but I was eager to find out. To see for yourself, click • RETURNAL | R_A.0785 Cr...
Chapters
0:00 Awake: Horrible
0:11 Helios: Abandoned
0:21 Weapon Swap?
0:31 Encounter I (Part 1)
0:52 Hidden Room I (Pods)
1:37 Encounter I (Part 2)
2:12 A Wall of Light
2:25 Encounter I (Part 3)
2:39 Pressing On
2:51 "I'll be back for you."
3:04 Encounter II (Chrysoid Rush)
3:26 Encounter II (Cleanup)
3:58 Destination: Resinous Shield)
4:16 Backtracking
4:30 Hidden Room II (Gambling)
4:58 Encounter II (Cleanup Concluded)
5:20 Containment Room (Round I)
5:35 Containment Room (Round II)
6:12 Containment Room (Round III)
7:03 Containment Room (Cleanup)
7:23 RUN INTERRUPTED.
7:36 BEAUTY DETECTED.
7:46 ERROR. ERROR.
8:07 Moving On
8:17 Encounter III
8:39 Encounter III (Cleanup)
8:53 Hidden Room III (Key)
9:05 Storming the Stairs
9:15 Encounter IV
9:26 sriatS eht gnimrotS
9:40 Encounter III (Cleanup Continued)
9:56 Pods + Parasites
10:47 Encounter IV
11:16 Encounter IV (Cleanup)
11:50 Encounter V (Part 1)
12:02 Encounter V (Cleanup)
12:26 Hidden Room IV (Containers + Weapon Swap)
12:42 Encounter V (Cleanup Concluded)
12:52 Hidden Room V (Obolites)
13:12 Encounter V (Part 2)
13:43 Encounter V (Cleanup Concluded + Weapon Swap)
14:16 Lobby (Blade Balancer + Overload Rush)
14:43 There + Back Again (Violent)
16:40 A Stony Facade
16:50 Encounter VI
17:23 Encounter VI (Cleanup)
17:34 Hidden Room VI (Augmentation)
17:54 Encounter VI (Cleanup Concluded + Weapon Swap)
18:27 Locked Branch: Encounter VII (Part 1)
18:56 Locked Branch: Encounter VII (Cleanup)
19:18 Locked Branch: Encounter VII (Part 2)
19:30 Locked Branch: Encounter VII (Cleanup Continued)
19:48 Locked Branch: Encounter VII (Part 3)
20:12 Locked Branch: Encounter VII (Loose Ends)
20:46 Locked Branch: Encounter VIII
21:30 Locked Branch: Hidden Room VII (Xenophagi) (Violent)
22:11 Locked Branch: Encounter VIII (Cleanup) (Violent)
22:52 Locked Branch: Secret Room I (Resin + Item)
23:13 Pressing Ahead
23:24 Locked Branch: Parasite Suite
23:39 Getting Back on Track
24:22 Xeno-archive
24:40 Getting Back on Track (Again)
24:54 Encounter IX
25:10 Hidden Room VIII (Malformed Hostile)
26:06 Weapon Swap?
26:30 Pressing On (Again)
26:42 Encounter X
27:26 Encounter X (Cleanup) (Violent)
27:47 Treading Lightly
28:05 Moving On (Again)
28:29 Encounter XI
29:02 Encounter XI (Cleanup)
29:18 Encounter XII
29:44 Pressing Ahead (Again)
30:11 Encounter XIII
30:21 Augmentation
30:33 Backtracking (Again)
30:58 Hidden Room VI (Augmentation) (Reprise)
31:17 Encounter XI (Cleanup Concluded) (Violent)
32:01 Charting a Course
32:13 Weapon Swap?
32:36 Phrike (Cinematic)
32:52 Phrike (Phase 1)
33:20 Phrike (Phase 2)
33:56 Phrike (Phase 3)
34:33 Victory!
34:46 Status + Equipment
35:06 Charting a Course (Again)
35:18 Inviting Trouble
35:41 Destination: Crimson Wastes