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!