I downloaded Returnal because I liked the vibe the trailers gave off. I tend to avoid spoilers as much as I can so I really didn’t do any research into the game. I was immediately immersed. The game felt like it was something that belonged in the Alien universe; a series that I love. The world reminded me of Alien Covenant, the tutorial didn’t seem to slow the game to a stand still, the controls felt solid, and killing enemies felt satisfying. I really can’t recall the last time a game grabbed me as quickly as Returnal did.
Quick Note: As interested as I am in Returnal I only played through the first loop. So please don’t spoil anything.
It makes me wonder what games immediately pulled you in?
I feel like Battlefield 1’s first level did a similar job. For those that haven’t played it you fight a wave of enemies and if you die you get transported to a different solider. It was an interesting change from the usual CoD-style hero shooter. You really felt like you were being shoved into a meat grinder.
Prey (2006). Discovered late 2023, when someone recommended me Prey (2017) (which didn’t click). The intro sets the atmosphere pretty well. The phenomenon that happens at the end of it both with the soundtrack hooked me. And level after level, I wasn’t bored a single time. Having the release date in mind, right before Portal came out, surprised me, especially since I’m not much into gaming anymore. A pleasant experience.
I played 2006 before 2017 myself and I was surprised by how wildly different they were. 2006 felt like a roller coaster ride the entire time. I felt like I was along for the ride