Housemarque's moody PS5-exclusive sci-fi shooter Returnal gets March release date Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Housemarque's moody PS5-exclusive sci-fi shooter Returnal gets March release date And a new gameplay trailer. News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 14 Dec 2020 41 comments Developer Housemarque is trying something a bit different with its new PS5-exclusive sci-fi shooter Returnal; while it's earlier output favoured small but pristinely formed arcade experiences - think Resogun and Nex Machina - this time, the developer is going in a decidedly more blockbuster direction, and the result of its toils, we now know, arrives on 19th March. Returnal, which was initially unveiled back in June, blends third-person action and platform elements with a great big dollop of moody narrative to create a game Housemarque calls its "most ambitious project to date". The resulting adventure unfolds on the very edge of the galaxy, with players taking on the role of Selene, an Astra space scout who finds herself trapped in hellish loop of endless resurrection while stranded on a deadly planet. It's something of a rogue-like then, and the ensuing action promises "volleys of bullet-hell projectiles along the way" (clearly Housemarque isn't entirely ready to wave goodbye to its arcade roots just yet), with players able to respond using an arsenal of weapons armed with rechargeable alt-fire modes activated by half-pressing the PS5 controller's adaptive triggers. Watch on YouTube Returnal gameplay trailer. That, unfortunately, is about all we have to go on at present; the remainder of Housemarque's PlayStation Blog post reads more like a promo for PS5's new features - the console's 3D audio capabilities also get a nod - rather than a proper delve into Returnal itself. As such, we'll need to wait patiently for the developer to share more in the way of gameplay specifics. Thankfully, there's a gorgeously moody new trailer to accompany Returnal's release date announcement, and it certainly paints an intriguing picture. Hopes are high for Housemarque's latest then, as its 19th March launch approaches. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 10 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store