Sacred Symbols, Episode 149: Returnal of the Mack (Video)

I think Colin is absurd to think the Microsoft reviewer has a good knowledge of everything happening at their 25 studios. Their say TLOU2 is a bar for anything released, not internally developed.

Joe B

Sunset Overdrive was the singular game that I bought a Xbox One S for, years ago... I did buy a few others after that though. Of course, most of the games I played on that system were from the Rare Replay pack. Things like Lunar Jetman, Sabrewulf, etc. If I know that I want a game, I always just preorder it from Gamestop, since the risk is very low doing that.

Kaz Redclaw

Just gonna put it out there, you can't knock Returnal critically. It's 3 points higher on metacritic than Ghost of Tsushima and only 3 points below Horizon Zero Dawn.

Lee Bull

If I pay for (or receive) a sandwich that tastes like shit, expecting me to finish that shit sandwich in order to give an accurate review of my culinary experience is absurd. The same concept extends to a 2 hour movie or potentially 80 hour video game. "But, it gets good after the first 15 hours!" Smh 🙄

Douglas Morreale

Lockmort’s Last Stand Edits? Maybe a small update to the naming that fits in the last stand branding

Michael Emery

I’m not thrilled about Mass Effect running at 120 FPS on Series X but not PS5? What gives? Also, why is Sniper Ghost Warrior delayed on the PS5 only? What’s going on?

BlindRiot

I’ve been paying $100 for my day one digital purchases for years, meaning that if I enjoy a franchise or game enough for a day one purchase than I want all of the content that’s available. That’s in American buckaroos by the way.

BlindRiot

I also really love Returnal. If you are a veteran of roguelike games then you will love it. I can see if someone isn't used to that formula and has a run that is weird it might turn some people off. But if you played games like Spelunky, Binding of Issac, Enter the Gungeon, Deadcells or the super popular Hades you will recognize this formula and prepare yourself. The rule of thumb for these games is to never rush and try to control your surroundings. Returnal is no different.

Luke Silletta

When it comes to the beating games to review discussion; I think it’s important to point out that one does not always have to beat a game in order to understand what it has to offer. Obviously, genre specific games like Narrative heavy games or some RPG’s require completion to obtain the full experience; but there are many other games where if the reviewer is NOT enjoying playing though it, then they have full justification to stop and base their review from that. It’s like an album, if I’m not enjoying it past halfway; I’m not going to listen to the last few tracks of it.

Agree with Dustin on the items and stuff in Returnal, the game could really use a tip system like in Nioh 2 where u can hover over stuff in the menu and it tells u what it does

Alec Dyer

I think Returnal is fantastic. I have been impressed with the use of the dualsense and how important a headset it. It’s a game I think about playing when I am away from my console which is always a good sign. The issue Colin has in that when you die you almost feel like it’s a wasted run as you then start a fresh with no items. I think the purpose of each run is to learn enemy patterns. You don’t go into a run with the expectation of beating the boss. It is more to understand the level and enemy patterns and when you feel ready you will then feel confident enough to attain the right consumables, weapon and path to the boss feeling prepared.

The Lizard King

Colin, you make an excellent point about people spending more in the long run on sales than they otherwise would at full price. I recently got a PS5 and decided that, starting with this gen, I will no longer buy anything until I am good and ready to play it, because the number of games in my library far exceeds what I have the time and inclination for. Regarding Returnal: I’ve tried to like rogue-likes in the past, but they’re just not my thing. This one intrigues me quite a bit, but the lack of mid-run saving and the technical problems people are having is making me want to pass on it.

MostlyCharlie

Great podcast, imagine if film critics got invited to an early screening and left half way through the film to go write their review to try and be the first reviews online lmao

Alec Dyer

The game coverage on sacred symbols has always been top notch, but listening to you guys murder these game journo hacks...... Fucking beautiful

Brian

I was hoping Returnal discussion was going to be when Chris was on. Guess I'll have to wait. It's very funny when I hear Colin is over the moon for Outriders and just grinding trophies the same way hardcore Destiny 2 players grind triumph score.

Thane Goldberg

Great podcast guys!! Hope that Chris is feeling okay though <3! Have a great weekend and enjoy RE8 boys!

Ryan Harvey

I just joined the Patreon today and so glad I did!! Great podcast today, keep it up you guys!!

I found Returnal to be total breath of fresh air, unabashedly a game first and foremost. I would have loved it even if it only had boss fights to be honest, but the audio and visual presentation are terrificly well done. Colin's taste in games is hard to understand sometimes, playing Wild Arms 3 or Dragon Quest IX for 100+ hours indicates a more sauntering experience and repitition and he has the endurance and patience for that. A game like Returnal is a 100% attention and engrossing experience, and I thought he would really dig that. Its 30 hours or so of patience and incremental improvement. But if its not fun, its not fun. I thought the real missed opportunity was to juxtapose Days Gone's guy saying support games by paying "full fucking price" with the fact that so many games including Returnal come out broken and unquestionably a better value later when fully patched and knocked down in price.

August McFarland

Thanks for listening!

Colin Moriarty

You made the wrong choice, but welcome. =D

Colin Moriarty

Cool! I'll check it out. But if it plays with the same ruleset, it's still not gonna be what I want. =)

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

Yeah, it's not for me, but I'll give it another go after RE8.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for writing in!

Colin Moriarty

Returnal is one of the most Arcady and pure gameplay fun I’ve had in awhile. In the beginning I thought it was pretty difficult, specifically the second boss. But once I rethought how to play it I find the game fairly easy, with a slight challenge now and again. Appreciate your honesty with your experience Colin, but I respectfully disagree (with you opinion) and do think this game is great. Atleast in my opinion.

Dustin Johnson

I beat it last night. It's sooooooo damn good. The boss fights alone is worth the $70.

Bryan Watkins

Returnal is my GoY as of now 20+ hours played 😬

Erk-Prime

I wanna make this clear… I had the choice of listening to Chapelle finally make it on Rogan’s podcast or listen to this group of glistening gentlemen… and I picked these filthy animals. 💪🏽😎

Colin. There is a daily challenge mode in Returnal that is entirely score chasing. Access it in the computer on the ship. I played it last night for a bit and I definitely think it's what you're looking for.

Johnny Waffles

1st time ever writing in, and it’s the first question read. Not mad at it! Appreciate it Colin!

Payton Stone

I did just want to say that I found the terminology problem in Returnal to not be that big a deal after a dozen or so cycles. I've put about 10 hours into the game, and I make sure to explore every room before I challenge the boss, so I'm starting to understand the flow of things and what the game really wants from me. I would say just put a few more cycles into it, see how you feel, but if you're not enjoying yourself then that's totally fair.

Watch Ergo Proxy

Thanks for taking my question/though into the episode 🙏 Glad we (mostly) agree. Just to add: I absolutely don't agree games should all cost 70$. Neither I think this would close the proving discussion. Games should be priced based on their value as calculated by the developers. By that I mean developes and publishers should explore the price point with more freedom and put their games on shelves with a 40, 50, 60, 70 and more if they think that is their games worth.

Germanos

Keep em on check as always big dawg.

Frank G.

Dustin does good work, from time to time.

Colin Moriarty

Lmfao this thumbnail is the best one! Dustin's head looks like those Futurama presidents.

Frank G.

Me (Colin). =)

Colin Moriarty

Give a raise to whomever came up with this pun, then boo them mercilessly.

Paul Meekin