History YMMV / Returnal

** Formed a bit of an overlap with ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'' due to both featuring sci-fi settings centered around hardened and capable {{ActionGirl}}s surrounded by horror elements. ''Returnal'' in general is seen rather favorably by the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' fandom as a whole for its slight similarities with the franchise.

* MemeticMutation: Selene sometimes being compared to a [[ObnoxiousEntitledHousewife Karen]] due to her middle-aged appearance and short haircut
* ScrappyMechanic: There's no way to quicksave. While you can pause your run in a pinch by putting the [=PS5=] into rest mode, an active run will get deleted if the console uses its auto-update functionality. This seems to be an intentional design choice since the initial prompt actually recommends using Rest Mode meaning it's aware it's a feature people are expecting. Likely this is in place to combat a common exploit to make {{Roguelike}}s easier which is to make a quicksave then disconnect from cloud saving so you can re-use it if your run goes south. Forcing the player to only use Rest Mode means there's no temporary save to store away. This was finally addressed in the 2.0 update, as the game now allow players to suspend the game and save their run without issues.

* AwardSnub: The game not being nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 raised a few eyebrows due to ''Returnal'' being one of the better-received games of an otherwise weak year. It being passed over by the likes of ''VideoGame/{{Deathloop}}'' and ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage'' and even fellow [=PS5=] exclusive ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart'' didn't help either.

* AwardSnub: The game not being nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 raised a few eyebrows due to ''Returnal'' being one of the better-received games of an otherwise weak year. It being passed over by the likes of ''VideoGame/((Deathloop}}'' and ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage'' and even fellow [=PS5=] exclusive ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart'' didn't help either.

* AwardSnub: The game not being nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 raised a few eyebrows due to ''Returnal'' being one of the better-received games of an otherwise weak year. It being passed over by the likes of ''VideoGame/((Deathloop}}'' and ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage'' and even fellow [=PS5=] exclusive ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRift Apart'' didn't help either.

** Formed a bit of an overlap with ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'' due to both featuring sci-fi settings centered around hardened and capable ActionGirls surrounded by horror elements. ''Returnal'' in general is seen rather favorably by the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' fandom as a whole for its slight similarities with the franchise.

* EightPointEight: [=GamesBeats=]' Jeff Grubb caught flack for [[https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/29/returnal-review-in-progress-like-beating-your-head-against-a-fun-wall/ giving]] the game a fairly mixed review and scoring it 3/5 (equals to 6/10 on Metacritic).

* AuthorsSavingThrow: The 2.0 update finally added an option to suspend and create a temporary save file, which was one of the most requested features by those who were frustrated by the lack of a proper save feature at launch.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: The 2.0 update finally added an option to suspend and save the game, which was one of the most requested features by those who were frustrated by the lack of a proper save feature at launch.

* ScrappyMechanic: There's no way to quicksave. While you can pause your run in a pinch by putting the [=PS5=] into rest mode, an active run will get deleted if the console uses its auto-update functionality. This seems to be an intentional design choice since the initial prompt actually recommends using Rest Mode meaning it's aware it's a feature people are expecting. Likely this is in place to combat a common exploit to make {{Roguelike}}s easier which is to make a quicksave then disconnect from cloud saving so you can re-use it if your run goes south. Forcing the player to only use Rest Mode means there's no temporary save to store away.
** However, it also means that a sudden auto-update could erase hours of progress.

* ScrappyMechanic: There's no way to quicksave. While you can pause your run in a pinch by putting the [=PS5=] into rest mode, an active run will get deleted if the console uses its auto-update functionality. This seems to be an intentional design choice since the initial prompt actually recommends using Rest Mode meaning it's aware it's a feature people are expecting. Likely this is in place to combat a common exploit to make {Roguelike}}s easier which is to make a quicksave then disconnect from cloud saving so you can re-use it if your run goes south. Forcing the player to only use Rest Mode means there's no temporary save to store away.

* ScrappyMechanic: There's no way to quicksave, which seems like a huge oversight considering the nature of {{Roguelike}}s and other games in the genre having that feature. While you can pause your run in a pinch by putting the [=PS5=] into rest mode, an active run will get deleted if the console uses its auto-update functionality.

* ScrappyMechanic: The lack of the ability to save during a run has become a sticking point for several reviewers. There are others who also criticize the game's {{Roguelike}} elements, specifically forcing the player back to the very beginning of the game whenever they die.
** Another issue with the inability to save comes from the game's alternate "solution": ''Returnal'' recommends you put the console in rest mode if you need to step away for a moment. There's just one problem: "The game updated while in rest mode. The updated game was closed." If this happens, it doesn't matter what you were doing or how far you went, you're starting over.

** Another issue with the inability to save comes from the game's alternate "solution": ''Returnal'' recommends you put the console in rest mode if you need to step away for a moment. There's just one problem: "The game updated while in rest mode. The updated game was closed." If this happens, it doesn't matter what you were doing or how far you went, you're starting over.

** Another issue with the inability to save comes from the game's alternate "solution": Returnal recommends you put the console in rest mode if you need to step away for a moment. There's just one problem: "The game updated while in rest mode. The updated game was closed." If this happens, it doesn't matter what you were doing or how far you went, you're starting over.

* ScrappyMechanic: The lack of the ability to save during a run has become a sticking point for several reviewers. There are others who also criticize the game's {{Roguelike}} elements, specifically forcing the player back to the very beginning of the game whenever they die.

* DemonicSpiders: The flying rocket drones in the Derelict Citadel. On their own, the drones aren't that bad, since their salvo of rockets, while highly damaging and homing, isn't too hard to avoid.. The problem is that the drones are never on their own, they tend to spawn in large groups and alongside other enemies, which tends to make things very hard very quickly.

* FriendlyFandoms: In the lead-up to and after release, it quickly formed one with ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'', another high-profile {{Roguelike}} game released a year earlier. It also formed one with fans of ''VideoGame/Doom2016'' for its sci-fi aesthetics and similar fast-paced gameplay.

* FriendlyFandoms: In the lead-up to and after release, it quickly formed one with VideoGame/{{Hades}}, another high-profile {{Roguelike}} game released a year earlier. It also formed one with fans of VideoGame/Doom2016 for its sci-fi aesthetics and similar fast-paced gameplay.

* ScrappyMechanic: The lack of the ability to save during a run has become a sticking point for several reviewers. There are others who also criticize the game's {{Roguelite}} elements, specifically forcing the player back to the very beginning of the game whenever they die.

* ItsHardSoItSucks: One criticism directed at ''Returnal'' is its [[NintendoHard difficulty]] and lack of saving during a run.

* ItsHardSoItSucks: One criticism directed at ''Returnal'' is its [[NintendoHard difficulty]].

* EightPointEight: GamesBeats' Jeff Grubb caught flack for [[https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/29/returnal-review-in-progress-like-beating-your-head-against-a-fun-wall/ giving]] the game a fairly mixed review and scoring it 3/5 (equals to 6/10 on Metacritic).