Returnal |OT| Alien Resorrection

[Wollan]

I'm far from beating the game but just a summary of some tips I found in this thread (and some I discovered organically) that helped me get to Biome 3 where I'm currently rested:
1. Yes, you can heal at the spacecraft in the first biome. Ensure you're fully healed before picking up Silphium so that you can increase your max integrity.
2. Is the astronaut figurine available to buy? Don't hesitate to buy it as it's an extra life.
3. Don't underestimate the value of an old fashion large health vial. Buy it for the boss fight.
4. Buffs related to integrity (health) are valuable. Parasites that heal when low, artifacts that leeches life (super good)... this is obviously luck based on what you come across but I have seen many interesting variants.
5. Don't gamble on Malignant/harmful items unless: A) You already have an item for cleaning malfunctions. B) It's a parasite where the trade-off is clearly stated. There are also some items later like Resin that is 50/50 chance for increased max health or damage. I chance them.
6. Weapon options can be persistently & permanently upgraded. If you see a weapon with an ability that has 0%~99% (and seems promising) then consider picking it up. Using the weapon will build towards unlocking the ability for all future cycles.
7. Don't user Ether to clean stuff... save it for the resurrection/cloning machines. When you know you are close to a boss (or you are fearing to lose a lot of progress) then these will be very handy. Note: If you leave the biome you will have to pay for a new entry.

 

[Paper Cheese]

So, can we talk about the almost 'pay to win option' that buying the digital deluxe version gets you with access to the massively OP electropylon driver out of the gate, rather than much later in the game (Biome 4) if you buy the standard edition?

I'm stuck on the biome 2 boss, but got to play with the EP Driver in today's challenge, and it has me almost tempted to upgrade to the digital deluxe version just to get it thrown into my weapon mix now.

I wondered whether it would be effective against bosses, so watched a few YT videos, and yep, it rinses them in stupidly short order. Saw Phrike dropped in about a minute by an average player, and Ixion absolutely battered by someone with a weapon proficiency of 4!

Having these roadblock bosses (at least to me and plenty of others) trivialised by a 'DLC' weapon not included for everyone from the off in what is already a $70-$100 game feels more than a little grubby.

It also laughs in the face of anyone spouting the 'creator's vision' bullshit, as the vision of how challenging this should be seemingly flexes depending on how much you're willing to pony up.

Anyone know if the codes reviewers received had access to the Electropylon driver out of the gate?

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Review copies didn't have the Ectropylon out the gate, no, just the standard edition. Got to say as well, I never really used the Pylon at all, didn't find it as helpful as everyone else did. Much prefer most of the other weapons.

 

[JhOnNY_HD]

I'm deep into the post-game and I've no idea what is the Hollowseeker you're all talking about. Names are localized so can someone describe the archetype? I'm really not sure to have even encountered it, but it seems like it's an early game weapon?

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[Cthulhu_Steev]

Hopefully this new patch 1.003.01 addresses some of these random crashes.

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I'm on my best ever run (first biome still, lol) and the game is prompting me to update. I've not had any crashes yet, but I don't want to end this run to update to (hopefully) fix the crashes, and I'm fearing it will crash on this run anyway. Risk/reward, the whole setup is a rogue-like.

 

[Paper Cheese]

Has anyone figured out the ammo pattern with this gun? Maybe I'm just dense, is it basically random how fast this thing decides on how to fire?

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The gun fires as soon as the projectiles return, so if you hit an enemy/wall up close, you can fire again nearly immediately, but if you miss and the projectiles travel to the other end of the arena, you're waiting ages until you can fire again. Clever way to turn an automatic weapon into an up-close specialised weapon but I've not found it very useful, too inconsistent.

 

[oriic]

What's everyone else's favorite gun type? I'm between the carbine and hollowseeker atm

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Rocket launcher with salvo trait.
Rotgland Lobber.

 

[dstarMDA]

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Thanks! I'll check my database next time I boot up the game. I feel like I've seen the icon before but I'm 100% haven't given it a real shot.

 

[dstarMDA]

The gun fires as soon as the projectiles return, so if you hit an enemy/wall up close, you can fire again nearly immediately, but if you miss and the projectiles travel to the other end of the arena, you're waiting ages until you can fire again. Clever way to turn an automatic weapon into an up-close specialised weapon but I've not found it very useful, too inconsistent.

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It's absolutely useless in many situations, mostly in open areas with flying things. I think it's a weapon that's only powerful for the very best players out there that won't miss too many shots. I felt really inadequate using it.

 

[shodgson8]

Just FYI update 1.003.001 is out and is 1.068 GB.

 

[AverageFisk]

It's so weird how the difficulty of the game varies between people.

I saw people beating the first boss very early and have trouble with biomes 2 and 3.

I died again and again against the first boss but beat the second and third bosses on my first try.

I'm really, really enjoying the game.

 

[Starlightmuse]

So what's the deal with the online stuff? I've been playing for hours, 3 biomes and I haven't found any player's body. I've been online all the time too.

Otherwise, this game is absolutely amazing

 

[Duncan]

Those drones at the third biome can go to fucking hell.

Actual cheap garbage when you have one that does its radial bullshit and one that fire missiles at you and just drains your health and items.

Horrible shit.

 

[Deleted member 23046]

I am still regularly frightened by the sound of these lianas-tentacles to use like elevator.

 

[BobbeMalle]

Just FYI update 1.003.001 is out and is 1.068 GB.

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Any patch notes?

 

[Rickyrozay2o9]

I'm on my best ever run (first biome still, lol) and the game is prompting me to update. I've not had any crashes yet, but I don't want to end this run to update to (hopefully) fix the crashes, and I'm fearing it will crash on this run anyway. Risk/reward, the whole setup is a rogue-like.

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Ahaha the nerve of these guys to drop a patch knowing people can't save their progress. Luckily for me I was already dead.

 

[Heazy]

So, can we talk about the almost 'pay to win option' that buying the digital deluxe version gets you with access to the massively OP electropylon driver out of the gate, rather than much later in the game (Biome 4) if you buy the standard edition?

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Can you even upgrade to deluxe after purchasing standard digital?

I can't in the UK

 

[Midas]

Alright thanks. Still don't know what it is but I'll look out for it - so far I don't think I've used anything other than pistol, carbine, shotgun, bestie pylon and the weird weapon that needs ammo to come back before being able to shoot again for more thant a minute.

I've even discarded picking up the rocket launcher after scanning it (as I wanted to keep the pylon obv) and unfortunately I don't think it got added to the spawn pool because I've never seen it since.


Unrelated but I've thought of a stupid piece of advice for people that may be struggling - are you dashing away from incoming damage ? You should be dashing into it most of the time. The rest of the time should be while strafing, and only dashing away when you're overwhelmed or getting surrounded (and in this situation, don't focus on fighting back but on finding an advantageous position).

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Pick it up and use it and pick up the other weapon again! I would try that next time at least.

 

[Kapten]

I am missing the acitivity card for Biome 4.... This makes me nervous.

And right now all the cards say about the surveys is "Explore.... Fully" while before I could see stats.

Am I looking at them the wrong way now or something?

The activity cards themselves seem to come and go as they please. Wat.

 

[Paper Cheese]

It's absolutely useless in many situations, mostly in open areas with flying things. I think it's a weapon that's only powerful for the very best players out there that won't miss too many shots. I felt really inadequate using it.

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I want to unlock some more of the upgrades for it to see if that changes anything, had similar experiences with other weapons that I found useless until one or two particularly good upgrade, so I'm hoping this one is the same! Feels like such a cool concept that doesn't work all that well right now.

 

[Midas]

6. Weapon options can be persistently & permanently upgraded. If you see a weapon with an ability that has 0%~99% (and seems promising) then consider picking it up. Using the weapon will build towards unlocking the ability for all future cycles.

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Hmm. I didn't know about this. However, I got an on screen alert about something that might've been this. Gotta check weapons I get. Can you select them in the settings or so?

 

[dstarMDA]

I want to unlock some more of the upgrades for it to see if that changes anything, had similar experiences with other weapons that I found useless until one or two particularly good upgrade, so I'm hoping this one is the same! Feels like such a cool concept that doesn't work all that well right now.

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You're right. I have just unlocked early ones for now myself - now that I don't care much about success in biomes it could be worth it to just do runs to unlock perks on all weapons.

 

[Majora85]

Man, I breezed through the third area with a lvl. 10 Hollowseeker and two great traits, didn't pick up any other weapons that were 5+ levels higher because it seemed to wipe the floor with them, but then it didn't deal any damage to the boss there whatsoever for some reason, apart from the alt-fire. Used two vials plus the astronaut and had the first health bar down to 25% after several minutes. Not sure if it was a bug or because it's not a long range weapon, really annoying. At least I got its attack pattern figured out already for the next run...

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I had the same experience. Hollowseeker with some good traits destroys most of the enemies in biome 3 but is useless against the boss.

Just use the pistol left in the biome 3 boss room. Super useful alt-fire for that boss, especially in phase 3, and dealt damage much much quicker than the Hollowseeker did.

 

[Wollan]

Hmm. I didn't know about this. However, I got an on screen alert about something that might've been this. Gotta check weapons I get. Can you select them in the settings or so?

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It's still randomized which of the abilities the weapon comes with, but by unlocking them your pool of abilities (towards that specific weapon) becomes bigger in the future. There are many great abilities i.e. Carbine shooting faster and faster the longer you hold (nice damage).

 

[jonamok]

Can you even upgrade to deluxe after purchasing standard digital?

I can't in the UK

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Hadn't checked yet. Oh well, that's the end of that idea.

 

[CD_93]

Just beat the second boss \o/

Do active games update in rest mode? Scared to turn the PS5 off now. Which is ridiculous.

 

[Kuro]

The strat of farming biome 1 is a waste of time. Just jump to the latest biome and it gives you big profeciency and health boosts anyways. Just gotta tough it out a bit at the start.

 

[Shyranui]

I finally beat the 4th boss and now the 5th biome is kicking my ass lol It seems way harder

 

[coldsagging]

Is there a guaranteed data cube processor anywhere? Everytime I find one I dont have any, then I'll get a cube and can't find one 😒

 

[Rook]

If you guys beat a Biome and then die at the next one, do you still go through the previous ones or seek out the last Biome you were in immediately?

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When I was stuck on Biome 3, I always did a full pass on Biome 1 (minus the boss) for upgrades, then I went directly to Biome 3.

Another poster stated it, but the weapon proficiency boost when you skip directly to a biome is a nice thing to have. But you'll want to have upgrades (and potentially some currency) from the earlier biome.

 

[coolasj19]

The strat of farming biome 1 is a waste of time. Just jump to the latest biome and it gives you big profeciency and health boosts anyways. Just gotta tough it out a bit at the start.

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I thought this way but I've come to think that's not correct all the time. In Biome 1 you can get useful parasites and suit mods that'll give you proper theming, especially if you go and fight the first boss to get his rare mod. Doing all of that in Biome 1 could get you up to Proficiency 8-9 by the time you get up to the boss skip gate too. Otherwise you're just not going to have the damage or you have to survive the mountain gauntlet just to get up to speed.

 

[IonMagus]

Just beat the second boss \o/

Do active games update in rest mode? Scared to turn the PS5 off now. Which is ridiculous.

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You can turn Updates in Rest Mode off in the System Settings

 

[m4st4]

Sweet lord, house visits in biome four are straight up Arrival/Interstellar/Contact. This is a next level narrative from HQ.

 

[Jolkien]

This broken ass game is so infuriating. Clearing Biome 6 having an amazing run with two 1up I fall into a hole but I clipped on bugged geometry before dying and now it keeps putting me on that bugged geometry no way to go back up. Wasted my run.

 

[Kaswa101]

Biome 5 suuuuuuuucks lol

 

[S1kkZ]

Biome 5 suuuuuuuucks lol

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its a huge jump in difficulty, thats for sure.

Spoiler: gameplay spoiler in biome 5

if you could at least keep the keys after dying. but getting 3 keys and doing challenge rooms/mini bosses everytime sucks.

 

[m4st4]

Just got the two way radio but I remembered, during my last visit to the house I didn't actually get spaceship model artifact, am I fucked for the trophy?

 

[dstarMDA]

Just got the two way radio but I remembered, during my last visit to the house I didn't actually get spaceship model artifact, am I fucked for the trophy?

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I don't think I got it after the house either, but it still popped up in the biomes themselves multiple times.

 

[m4st4]

I don't think I got it after the house either, but it still popped up in the biomes themselves multiple times.

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Oh nice, thanks!

 

[Theswweet]

It's very odd that Biome 5 didn't have a boss. Cut content?

 

[Grips]

I "finished" the game last night!
Holy hell I wasnt expecting this game to be this good! Im ready to get back into it again today!

 

[slasherjpc]

Biome 5 suuuuuuuucks lol

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Hard agree... my goodness.

 

[War95]

It's very odd that Biome 5 didn't have a boss. Cut content?

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That

Spoiler

The abyssal god at the end

is neither a boss fight speak clearly of cut content or a possible DLC. I hope theres DLC for this game, is too good to only have this

 

[Arex]

so will the patch force you to quit your cycle lol

 

[Aliand]

Okay, I'm going to try and explain my biome three win run for folks who were, like me yesterday, completely down after another draining but ultimately unsuccessful run.

Biome One:

Biome one bores you by now? Well, tough luck, you got to do it all the way, you got to get that snowball running somewhere. Plus, game is superfun and addictive to play so make sure it's a brand new day and you're regenerated and pumped enough, it's a hour and a half task. (+/-)

Your goals for biome one should be:

-prioritising health up purchases
-prioritising health up pickups
-prioritising finding astronaut figurine (if available at shop)
-grind if you don't have enough money, teleport back and fort, go to blue doors only and make sure you know where the skip forward to biome two and three doors are
-Do NOT go straight to biome three after getting your health to 115-120-130%, instead go to biome two after getting at least two three solid artifacts and healths/defense/profficiency ups
-Parasites are tricky, if you find a low integrity fix one, with a solid malignance like damage from fall or acid pool after enemy's death - TAKE IT, for the love of god, it might save your run (!)

Biome Two:

Alright, this is mostly chill now and you know it. Temples are all wide areas, keep your distance, explore A LOT, sidetrack A LOT (basically all of the blue doors are a must).

-Do not go for the drop down surprise rooms (!) Larger OP enemies down there can fuck up your run if you don't have a solid enough gun or your luck is down (!)
-Try to find a solid 7-8-9 profficiency gun with fast projectiles that do DAMAGE OVER TIME. Once you find that, don't ever look back. I killed Nemesis with an eight and refused to pick up 10-13 profficiency pistols and grenade launchers because they weren't as good in the long run; bigger is not always, ahem, better
-You can grind a lot before the temple here but if by temple skip portal you feel like, shit, this run is going pretty good for me right now - go even further, snowball that beautiful beastie into something even more powerful
-Don't risk malignant chest if you don't have to, go for Moderate risks, save your Ether to Copy your progress further down the level, just in case

Biome Three:

Alright, now for the final push. Basically - DON'T FUCK IT UP. It's been an hour of your hard grinding, you're starting to feel tense but you can do this, I believe in you!

Play it safe. Safe distance, smaller risks, health up, health up until at least 200% (or more, way more, always more).

-Tie Fighters are now just a minor to moderate danger, fuck em up with dmg over time from a distance, use your cooldown advantages... Basically no enemy in biome three can touch you greatly by now, you got this! If, somehow, by now you're not a beast, explore even more in three, but essentially what you got to do here is go for the tower shortcut asap, do your best there and then go for the boss.
-If you're not at full health, with astro figure and at least one health item, use teleport and GET THERE, you need those to win this (!)
-Use whatever is left of your focus and tactic to play it safely here and finally BEAT THE FUCKER

Good luck! ;)

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Thanks for the great advice!👍

 

[S1kkZ]

maybe i am seeing things, but the lod pop-ins seems worse after the new patch. i constantly notice it now, while i barely noticed it before.

 

[Prototype Viktor]

What's everyone else's favorite gun type? I'm between the carbine and hollowseeker atm

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shotgun but only with the green bolt mod

hollowseeker but needs 2 mods preferably serrated

 

[Midas]

Carbine shooting faster and faster the longer you hold (nice damage).

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Yeah, I got that one on my last run. It's great.

 

[Astandahl]

maybe i am seeing things, but the lod pop-ins seems worse after the new patch. i constantly notice it now, while i barely noticed it before.

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It has always been very aggressive.
Do we know patch notes of the last update?

 

[shodgson8]

Any patch notes?

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No details out as far as I can see

 

[Grips]

I really enjoyed Biome 4/5/6.
Biome 3 was a massive Wall for me, thats where I mostly died, and the rest of the game felt easier and also full of juicy story goodness.