Brandon Tyler Poole

The absence of co-op campaign matchmaking or a server list of joinable player hosted games is very disappointing. It’s 2024. The game features cross-platform play between PC, Playstation, and Xbox. It has PvP and PvE game modes… with matchmaking. So why, FFS, does the game require a random code generator and physical invites to specific “friends” to create or join a co-op campaign game??? This lack of accessibility has ruined my enthusiasm to even play Space Marine 2. It took a month after release to receive a physical copy for PS5, only to be let down once I discovered that there will be no co-op campaign play in my future. I do not have friends who own the game. I am not going to persuade those friends to buy the game. I do not participate on social media platforms. I am not going to join social media platforms just to beg strangers to “play with me.” So, why the hell did I buy this game? Good question. I wish I hadn’t.

Awesome game. Highly addictive. Yes, it’s challenging but it’s also fair to the player. The more you play, the better you’ll get. Encountering a new enemy type can be daunting. However, it doesn’t take long before said enemy becomes a mere stepping stone along your path forward. You’ll be mopping the floor with them in a dazzlingly satisfying display of particle effects. It also has a 2-player co-op mode, which is perfectly suited for this type of game. I’ve only made it to the 3rd biome/level thus far, but it’s been a blast. Once you unlock a new biome/level, you’ll gain the ability to teleport to that location without having to grind all the way there again or fight previous bosses, although you have the option to do so. You’ll still want to spend a little time in the earlier (easier) biomes just to level up your character and weapons before moving too far ahead too quickly. That’s half the fun though. Each run is slightly different from the last due to the randomization of certain elements, like the map itself, or location of items and enemies. Returnal is one of the most visually appealing games I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Under that pretty surface is a masterpiece of mechanics and solid gameplay that make Returnal a true gem. It’s has a style and feel all its own. In the most simple description I can muster, Returnal is like DooM and Metroid had a baby, then dressed it in all my favorite science fiction films. 5 stars and two thumbs up!

I cancelled my Disney+ Ultra More Most subscription after watching about 5 minutes of this show. Other than The Mandalorian and Star Wars: The Bad Batch, nothing good has come from Disney’s ownership of everything Star Wars. At this point, I’d rather watch a Jar Jar Binks Talk Show featuring guest hosts Salacious Crumb and Greedo, with no subtitles and a lot of audience laughter.