Returnal is a brand-new roguelike third-person shooter that dropped into our gaming library on February 15th 2023. After crash landing on a shape-shifting planet, players must venture through a barren landscape, battle for survival, and try to escape. That is until you are ruthlessly forced to restart your journey each and every time you are defeated…
To ensure your gaming PC is up to the task of being caught in a time loop, we’ve put together everything you need to know about Returnal, including the official PC system specifications, and our top PCs to play!
Caught in a Time Loop
Step into the shoes of Selene, a skilled astronaut searching for the infamous ‘White Shadow’ signal. After disobeying orders, Selene crash lands on the alien planet Atropos. Unable to call for help, you must venture through the dangerous yet barren landscape in order to uncover the truth about the ‘White Shadow’ and return to Earth.
There is of course a catch (like it would really be that easy).
Each time Selene dies, she will time loop back to the moment when she crashed. Being stuck in an infinite time loop allows players to traverse unexplored areas like never before, wield unique weaponry, and experiment with new combat and strategy each time the game resets.
The World of Atropos
Atropos is packed full of ruthless, dangerous enemies, waiting for your return with each cycle. In order to survive, you must manage your resources, equipment, and weaponry carefully. You can savage alien tech and store them for upgrades which will enhance your abilities when the cycle eventually restarts.
As you venture through the different biomes of Atropos, you will need to piece together fragments of Selene’s memories and forge an unlikely personal connection with the planet as you seek out answers and uncover the truth.
Does Returnal Feature Multiplayer?
Returnal features a dedicated co-op mode. You can team up with up to five players and explore through Atropos. Unfortunately, there is no crossplay compatibility. But we’ve got our fingers crossed for the future!
Is Returnal a PC Exclusive?
Returnal was in fact originally a PlayStation 5 exclusive. You can now experience each new shape-shifting cycle on both PC and PS5.
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 6400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | Intel Core i7 8700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X |
| Memory | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| Storage | 60GB available space | 60GB available space |
Top PCs to Play Returnal
Are you looking to play Returnal? Is your PC not quite up to the task of running this sci-fi shooter? At Overclockers UK, you can find your next upgrade with plenty of high-quality gaming PCs and laptops to choose from. We’ve got our top picks for you below, but if these PCs don’t suit your aesthetic, you can also shop the full range.
ASUS ROG Strix G18 Gaming Laptop
Enjoy playing Returnal and many more AAA titles with the ASUS ROG Strix G18 Gaming Laptop. This high-end laptop features an Intel Core i9 14900HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, for effortless multitasking, and intelligent workload management, along with enhanced Ray Tracing and AI capabilities. Perfect for both work and play! What’s more, with a 1TB SSD, you will have plenty of storage space for your expanding gaming library, creative projects, and much more! In addition to all of this, thanks to the 18.0’’ WQXGA display with up to 240Hz refresh rates enjoy buttery smooth frame rates for an optimised gaming experience.
ASUS ROG Strix G18
- 18.0” FHD display
- 240Hz refresh rates
- Includes an Intel Core i9-14900H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
Refract Gaming Celeste Pre-built PC
The Refract Gaming Celeste comes equipped with everything you need to enjoy the interstellar gameplay of Returnal. Expertly crafted for mid-range gaming and streaming, this pre-built system includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Unlock ultra-fast performance in single- and multi-threaded tasks, along with photo-realistic visuals for a truly immersive gaming experience. What’s more, with up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM, you won’t have to worry about slow loading times or input lag, and instead enjoy seamless performance with near-zero latency.
Unlike Selene’s ship, if you crash land with the Refract Gaming Celeste, you’ll be well protected thanks to the included three-year warranty. In case of repairs, this will also cover the cost of parts and labour.
Refract Gaming Celeste
- Pre-built gaming PC
- Designed for mid-range gaming and streaming
- Includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Includes a three-year warranty
OcUK Gaming Scimitar Configurable PC
Unlock superior performance in Returnal with the OcUK Gaming Scimitar PC. Thanks to built-in support for Real-Time Ray Tracing, take advantage of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU to enjoy blisteringly-fast processing speeds and hyper-realistic graphics. In addition to this, the Scimitar comes with both a 1TB M.2 and an optional secondary SSD, allowing you to store all your favourite games, music, videos, and more! The OcUK Gaming Scimitar is a configurable gaming PC. This means you can make adjustments to the base hardware specification, including customising the PC case, upgrading the CPU, memory, and GPU, along with opting for additional storage drives.
OcUK Gaming Scimitar
- Configurable gaming PC
- As standard includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU
- Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM
- Flexible storage options available
Have You Played Returnal?
Have you got your hands on Returnal and got caught up in the endless time loop? Let us know what you think about this latest new release in the comments below.
*Prices correct at time of writing and PC specs are subject to change.
- 5 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
Read More >>