Returnal is a fast-paced, punishing, but deeply rewarding experience. You’ll shoot, dash, die—and repeat. But with each run, there’s room to grow. These 16 advanced tips will help you master the game’s hidden mechanics, boost your survivability, and make every run count.
1. Use Melee to Stagger Tough Enemies
Your sword isn’t just a backup—it’s a powerful tool. Watch for the orange stagger bar under tougher enemies. Deplete it to interrupt their attacks and leave them wide open.
2. Smash Glowing Statues for Free Obolites
Keep an eye out for statues with glowing yellow eyes. Break them for extra Obolites—free currency that adds up over time.
3. Master the Dreadbound
The Dreadbound shines at close range and pairs well with melee:
- Fire at close distance for faster returns.
- Follow up with melee for high burst damage.
High risk, high reward.
4. Interrupt Laser Attacks with a Single Shot
When enemies charge a deadly orange laser, don’t panic—just shoot. A well-timed shot will cancel the charge-up.
5. Remap Dash to R1 for Better Control
Move dash to R1 for faster reaction and tighter movement. This keeps your thumb on the stick and helps with more advanced techniques.
6. Sleep in the Ship for Free Healing
In the first biome, head back to your crash site and sleep in the bed to recover health before setting out again.
7. Set Traps with the Electro Pylon Driver
This weapon creates powerful electric tethers between hit points:
- Trap doorways and enemy spawns.
- Fire into multiple targets to spread constant damage.
8. Turn Green Health Pickups into Resin
When at full health, green pickups turn into resin, which upgrades your max HP. Never leave them behind!
9. Hunt the Glowing Octopus Enemies
These rare enemies flee on sight, like crystal lizards in Dark Souls. Kill them quickly to earn big Obolite drops.
10. Let Tentacle Enemies Help You Climb
In certain areas, tentacle grabs can pull you upward. Dash away just before the attack connects to reach otherwise inaccessible ledges.
11. Change Interact from Hold to Tap
Avoid getting caught mid-interaction by switching the input setting to tap instead of hold. It saves crucial seconds in combat zones.
12. Break Weak Walls for Hidden Rooms
Look for cracked or discolored walls—they often hide secret chests or data cubes, which can unlock powerful items later.
13. Break Plants for Extra Drops
Smash glowing or strange-looking plants. They sometimes drop Obolites, integrity, or even upgrades.
14. Enlarge Your Crosshair for Better Reloads
Returnal’s active reload is easier with a larger crosshair. Set it to Large for better visibility during hectic fights.
15. Save Chests for Higher Proficiency
Hold off opening chests until your weapon proficiency increases. You’ll get better-tier weapons the later you open them.
16. Focus on Weapon Traits
Each weapon has traits that level up with use. Unlock and master them to drastically increase your damage and versatility over time.
Final Word
Returnal rewards skill, strategy, and attention to detail. With these advanced tips, you’ll survive longer, score higher, and dive deeper into the game’s intense loop. Keep practicing, experiment with builds—and don’t fear failure. It’s part of the process.
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