returnal trophy guide

Returnal Trophy Guide Overview

Returnal’s trophy list includes 31 achievements, with the Platinum requiring skill, patience, and completion of challenging tasks like biome surveys, boss battles, and collectible hunts․

Returnal is a groundbreaking roguelike shooter developed by Housemarque, exclusively for the PlayStation 5․ This fast-paced, third-person shooter combines intense combat, exploration, and a mysterious narrative․ Players take on the role of Selene, an astronaut stranded on a hostile alien planet, as she navigates procedurally generated biomes and uncovers the secrets of the planet and her past․ The game features a unique blend of exploration, boss battles, and weapon customization, with a strong focus on repetition and progression․ The trophy list for Returnal includes 31 achievements, ranging from story-related milestones to challenging combat and exploration feats․ This guide will walk you through the process of unlocking all trophies, including the elusive Platinum, and provide tips for overcoming the game’s toughest challenges․

Understanding the Trophy Types and Requirements

Returnal’s trophy list is divided into several categories, including story-related trophies, biome survey completion, boss battles, and combat achievements․ Many trophies require specific actions, such as defeating bosses like Ophion or completing surveys in biomes like the Crimson Wastes and Derelict Citadel․ Combat achievements, such as reaching maximum adrenaline or managing parasites, add a layer of challenge․ Some trophies are hidden and tied to secret events or multiple playthroughs․ Progress can be tracked via the PS5’s Activities Cards, which outline tasks needed for each trophy․ Understanding these requirements is key to efficiently working towards the Platinum, ensuring no step is overlooked in this rewarding but demanding journey․

Biome Survey Trophies

Each biome in Returnal features a unique survey trophy, requiring completion of specific tasks like scanning items or defeating enemies to unlock them․

Ascending the Mountain: Crimson Wastes Survey

To unlock the Ascending the Mountain trophy, complete the Crimson Wastes survey by fulfilling three specific requirements: scanning ancient artifacts, defeating a set number of enemies, and discovering hidden xenoglyphs․ Use your scanner to identify and log items of interest, as this progresses the survey significantly․ Additionally, certain enemies in the biome drop key items when defeated, contributing to your progress․ Xenoglyphs, scattered throughout the area, provide additional completion percentage when collected․ Utilize the PS5’s Activity Cards to track your progress and identify missing tasks․ Be patient, as some requirements may take multiple runs due to the game’s procedurally generated nature․ Complete all objectives to earn this trophy and move closer to the Platinum․

Through the Forgotten City: Derelict Citadel Survey

To earn the Through the Forgotten City trophy, complete the Derelict Citadel survey by fulfilling three main objectives․ Use your scanner to identify and log ancient artifacts scattered throughout the biome, as this is crucial for progression․ Additionally, defeating specific enemies in the area will drop items needed to complete the survey․ Xenoglyphs hidden in the environment also contribute to your progress when collected․ The PS5’s Activity Cards provide a helpful tracker to monitor your completion status․ Be prepared to revisit the biome multiple times, as some tasks may require more than one cycle due to the game’s procedurally generated layout․ Completing all requirements will unlock this trophy and bring you closer to the Platinum․

Completing Biome Surveys: Tips and Tricks

Completing biome surveys in Returnal requires a mix of exploration, combat, and resource management․ Focus on fully exploring each area to locate hidden artifacts, enemy data points, and xenoglyphs․ Use your scanner to identify key objects, as these are essential for progression․ Prioritize defeating elite enemies, as they often drop critical items needed for survey completion․ Utilize weapons like the Atropian Blade to access hard-to-reach areas․ Save your progress frequently by using checkpoints to avoid losing progress on death․ Stay persistent, as some objectives may require multiple runs due to the game’s procedural generation․ Finally, use the PS5’s Activity Cards to track your progress and plan your next steps efficiently․

Secret Trophies

Returnal’s secret trophies include Eternal Ascent, The Watcher, and Eyes Closed, tied to key narrative moments like dying and returning to the Tower, and defeating Algos’ forms․

Eternal Ascent: Unlocking the Hidden Trophy

Eternal Ascent is a secret trophy tied to the game’s core narrative․ It unlocks after dying and respawning in the Tower, marking your first return to the cycle․ This trophy is unmissable and triggers early in the game during the introductory sequence․ When you die for the first time, you’ll awaken in the Tower, and a cinematic will play, culminating in the trophy being awarded․ It symbolizes the beginning of Selene’s journey and the loop that defines Returnal․ Ensure you progress naturally through the story to trigger this trophy without issues․ It’s a straightforward achievement, requiring no additional steps beyond experiencing the game’s opening events․

The Watcher: Defeating Algos’ First Form

The Watcher trophy is awarded for defeating Algos’ first form, a pivotal boss battle in Returnal․ This encounter occurs in the Abyssal Scar biome, where Algos serves as the final challenge․ To defeat Algos’ first form, master your dodging and shooting skills, as the boss unleashes a variety of ranged attacks․ Utilize your weapons effectively and exploit the brief windows of vulnerability between attack phases․ Staying mobile and avoiding environmental hazards is crucial․ Once defeated, the trophy unlocks, and you progress to Algos’ second form, bringing you closer to the game’s climax․ This battle tests your reflexes and strategy, making it a memorable milestone in your journey․

Eyes Closed: Defeating Algos’ Final Form

Eyes Closed is a challenging trophy requiring you to defeat Algos’ final form in Returnal․ This intense battle takes place after overcoming the first form, with Algos becoming even more aggressive and unpredictable․ To succeed, focus on mastering the attack patterns, as the final form introduces devastating combos and environmental hazards․ Stay calm, use cooldowns strategically, and exploit brief windows of vulnerability․ Equip powerful weapons and artifacts to maximize damage output․ Patience and precise timing are key to surviving this grueling fight․ Defeating Algos’ final form rewards you with this trophy, marking a significant achievement in your journey through the game’s demanding combat challenges․

Combat and Exploration Achievements

Combat and exploration achievements in Returnal reward mastery of intense battles and thorough environmental investigation․ These trophies highlight skill progression and discovery, enhancing gameplay depth․

Adrenaline Spike: Achieving Maximum Adrenaline Level

Adrenaline Spike is a combat-related trophy that requires players to reach the maximum adrenaline level in Returnal․ Adrenaline is earned by defeating enemies without taking damage, and it stacks up to five levels, each granting unique buffs like increased damage or movement speed․ To unlock this trophy, focus on defeating multiple enemies in quick succession while avoiding damage․ Utilize cover effectively and exploit enemy patterns to maintain your streak․ Reaching maximum adrenaline not only awards the trophy but also enhances your combat effectiveness, making it a valuable achievement for progression․ Stay vigilant and strategic to achieve this milestone in your journey through Atropos․

Irreversibly Contaminated: Managing Parasites

Irreversibly Contaminated is a unique trophy that challenges players to simultaneously carry five parasites․ Parasites are items that provide beneficial effects but come with risks, such as reduced health or increased stagger․ To earn this trophy, you must collect five parasites in a single cycle without dying․ This requires careful exploration and strategic item management․ Each parasite can be found in various biomes, and their effects stack, making survival more challenging․ Once equipped with five, the trophy unlocks automatically․ Managing parasites effectively is crucial, as their combined drawbacks can make combat and exploration more difficult․ This trophy tests your ability to balance risk and reward in Returnal’s unforgiving world․

Boss Battle Trophies

Defeat formidable bosses like Ophion, Ira, and Nemesis․ Each requires mastering their attack patterns and utilizing powerful weapons․ Victory unlocks exclusive trophies and progresses the story․

Defeating Ophion in the Abyssal Scar

Ophion, the massive serpent-like boss, awaits in the Abyssal Scar, the sixth biome․ To defeat Ophion, you must first weaken its segments by targeting vulnerable spots․ Use the grappling hook to avoid its ground-pound attacks and stay mobile․ Equip weapons with high damage output, such as the Sporegun or Tentacle, and focus on the glowing weak points․ After damaging all segments, Ophion will retreat, allowing you to confront its head․ Dodge its beam attacks and strike relentlessly․ Defeating Ophion unlocks the Sunface Fragments and progresses you closer to the Platinum Trophy․

Strategies for Boss Battles in Different Biomes

Each biome in Returnal features unique boss encounters, requiring tailored strategies․ In the Crimson Wastes, focus on dodging Ixion’s orbital attacks and exploit its vulnerability during its ground phase․ In the Overgrown Ruins, Grotto boss Nemesis relies on pattern recognition—stay agile and bait its charge attacks․ The Derelict Citadel’s boss, Hyperion, demands precise timing to avoid laser beams and capitalize on its brief stun windows․ For the Abyssal Scar’s Phaeton, use the grappling hook to evade its aerial assaults and target its weak spots when it descends․ Consistency and awareness of attack patterns are key to overcoming these challenging battles and earning their respective trophies․

Collectibles and Hidden Items

Unlocking collectibles like the Atropian Blade and Xenoglyphs is crucial for progression․ The Atropian Blade is found in Overgrown Ruins, while Xenoglyphs reveal lore and rewards․

Unlocking the Atropian Blade in Overgrown Ruins

The Atropian Blade is a powerful melee weapon found in the Overgrown Ruins during Act 1․ To unlock it, follow these steps:

  • Start a new cycle and navigate through the Overgrown Ruins․
  • Reach the area known as the “Overgrown Ruins Entrance․”
  • Interact with the glowing artifact on the ground to trigger a brief cinematic․
  • After the cutscene, the Atropian Blade will be yours to use․

This weapon is essential for close-range combat and is a key collectible for trophy progression․ Ensure you pick it up early for a combat advantage․

Locating Xenoglyphs for Additional Rewards

Xenoglyphs are mysterious symbols scattered across Returnal’s biomes, offering cryptic lore and hints about item locations․ To find them, explore each area thoroughly, as they often appear in hidden corners or near landmarks․ Use the PS5’s Activity Cards to track your progress, ensuring you don’t miss any․ Each biome contains multiple Xenoglyphs, and collecting them provides additional insight into the game’s world․ While they don’t directly unlock trophies, they enhance your understanding of the environment and can aid in locating other collectibles․ Dedicate time to search carefully, as some are easy to overlook․ Your patience will be rewarded with a deeper connection to Returnal’s enigmatic story․

Platinum Trophy Roadmap

Unlocking the Platinum in Returnal requires completing all 31 trophies, including challenging boss battles, biome surveys, and collectible hunts, showcasing skill and dedication․

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking the Platinum

To achieve the Platinum in Returnal, start by completing all six biome surveys, ensuring you finish specific tasks in each area․ Defeat all major bosses, including Ophion and both forms of Algos, while mastering combat mechanics․ Collect key items like the Atropian Blade and Xenoglyphs, which unlock additional rewards and story elements․ Manage parasites effectively, as some trophies require having multiple simultaneously․ Use the PS5’s Activity Cards to track progress and identify missing trophies․ Replay acts to unlock hidden content, such as the secret ending in Act 3․ Finally, grind for any remaining trophies, focusing on challenging achievements like reaching maximum adrenaline level and completing difficult feats․ Patience and persistence are essential for this rewarding journey․

Tracking Progress and Avoiding Common Mistakes

Efficiently tracking your progress is crucial for unlocking Returnal’s Platinum Trophy․ Use the PS5’s Activity Cards to monitor completion of biome surveys, collectibles, and boss battles․ Regularly check your trophy list to identify missing requirements․ Avoid common mistakes like neglecting to replay Act 3 for the secret ending or failing to manage parasites effectively․ Save frequently and utilize the Overload mechanic wisely to avoid unnecessary deaths․ Keep track of Xenoglyph locations and ensure you’ve completed all survey tasks in each biome․ Patience and careful planning are key to avoiding frustration and ensuring a smooth path to the Platinum․ Stay organized and methodical in your approach to overcome the game’s challenging requirements․

Congratulations on completing the Returnal Trophy Guide! Overcoming challenging biomes, bosses, and collectibles is a testament to your skill and dedication․ Enjoy your well-deserved Platinum Trophy!

Final Tips for Completing the Trophy List

  • Persist in exploring each biome thoroughly to uncover hidden collectibles and complete survey tasks efficiently․
  • Utilize the PS5’s Activity Cards to track your progress and focus on specific trophy requirements․
  • Experiment with different weapon combinations and strategies to optimize your combat performance․
  • Regularly manage your parasites and adrenaline levels to avoid unnecessary hindrances during long runs․
  • Revisit lower biomes after progressing further, as new abilities can make obtaining missed trophies easier․
  • Learn boss patterns and exploit their weaknesses to minimize frustration during challenging encounters․
  • Stay patient and methodical, as some trophies require precise timing or repeated attempts․
  • Consult online guides or community resources for help with particularly elusive achievements․

Endgame Content and Post-Platinum Challenges

After securing the Platinum, players can dive into additional challenges to test their skills․ The Daily Challenge Mode offers a fresh, replayable experience with leaderboards to compete globally․ Completing these daily trials rewards players with extra loot and bragging rights․ Additionally, the Tower of Sisyphus provides an endless wave-based mode for those seeking ultimate combat mastery․ Exploring the Derelict Citadel and other secret areas post-Platinum reveals hidden lore and unique combat trials․ For completionists, replaying the game with a focus on collectibles and alternate endings adds depth․ The endgame content ensures that even after the Platinum, there’s plenty to achieve and discover․

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