Leading the sudden new trend of timeloop games, ahead of Deathloop and Twelve Minutes, Returnal is not exactly breaking new ground but has plenty going for it.
One of the better showcases of the PS5's versatile haptic feedback, the game's inventive variation of weapons, gadgets, monsters and ever changing level structures almost keep the gameplay from feeling too repetitive. A lot of attention has clearly been given to the pacing, particularly speed and movement of your laser-gun tooting heroine, who can usually outrun any big fight in order to get to that bit you died on hours ago!
It's also nice to see borrowings from horror games in its mystery narrative structure and spooky first person segments.
But, after the hours of gamplay, I did find the ending to be underwhelming: without spoiling anything, the final 'revelation' occurs and the game just comes to an end, it's pretty cinematic but game-wise unrewarding. I always mention this goddamn game but Silent Hill 2 nails that kind of an ending with the gut punch reveal followed by a whole final level in which you come to terms with what happened and, as a result, face that final inner demon as a boss.
In summary, as smooth as it is to play, Returnal probably works best in short bursts, otherwise starting again can be tiresome.