At the start of Returnal, Selene isn't even equipped with her sidearm, but as players continue to explore Atropos they will gain access to powerful upgrades. While many of these upgrades like suit artifacts and parasites are impermanent and will disappear when the player dies or completes their run, some of them are permanent, making it possible for players to make it just a little farther next time. These Xenotech Devices provide useful upgrades to Selene, and there are nine different permanent Xenotech upgrades to collect throughout the game.
Most of these Xenotech devices are unmissable and must be obtained in order to continue on in the story, but that isn't the case for all of them. At least three of these devices can be skipped, in which case players will have to complete the requirements to unlock them all over again on their next cycle. It's best to grab these whenever the player has the chance, as they can make life much easier in the long run. Typically speaking, Xenotech devices alter the way Returnal players can approach certain situations or provide enhanced mobility for Selene in some way.
Updated on March 1st, 2023 by Hodey Johns: Returnal has made its way to PC to the delight of gamers that might have missed out on the previously exclusive title. That that, a new round of gamers will be asking questions about the roguelite. Understandably, among the first set of questions will undoubtedly be the ones asking how to make the character stronger between playthroughs. While experience is a great teacher, permanent upgrades are core to making substantial progress in Returnal. In this particular game, these advancements that persist through runs are called Xenotech upgrades. Finding the nine Xenotech upgrades can be confusing and this guide has been reformatted to make the list clearer.
Atropian Weapon Charger
The first Xenotech device that players will find is the Atropian Weapon Charger. This item is found very early on in the Overgrown Ruins and unlocks the Alt-Fire mode for all weapons the player gets from then onward. This is extremely important, as the alternate fire of many weapons is critical for taking down tough enemies or dealing a quick burst of damage to a biome boss.
Like other Xenotech upgrades, once the player picks this up, they never lose it and will have access to its benefits for the rest of the game. Some roguelike games do not have combat, but this one does, lots of it, and alternate fire is a vast upgrade for almost all weapons.
Hermetic Transmitter
Continue exploring the Overgrown Ruins and eventually the floor will collapse beneath Selene's feet. The player will then find the Hermetic Transmitter on a dead Sentient. This item allows players to make use of the teleporters found all throughout the game, essentially enabling fast travel.
While this is useful for obvious reasons, it becomes even more important for players wanting to use the bed in Helios to recover health and convert Silphium into Resin. Without this tool, the game would be doable but it wouldn't be one of the roguelikes with the most replay value.
Atropian Blade
Finally, there is one more permanent upgrade players can get in the Overgrown Ruins. Arguably more important than the Atropian Weapon Charger, depending on the player's playstyle, the Atropian Blade is also obtained here. When searching for the Anathema Key, players will be instructed to find a way to destroy Xenotech Barriers.
Following the quest marker will lead players to the Atropian Blade. This upgrade gives Selene a powerful melee attack capable of one-hit killing most enemies. It also doubles as a way to break red (and eventually yellow) Xenotech Barriers and a source for Obolites when players break Obolite Chunks. This horrifying roguelike game gets a bit less scary with this weapon at hand.
Xenotech Prism
Right after using the portal to travel to the Crimson Wastes, players can get the Xenotech Prism upgrade. Obtaining this permanently increases the number of consumable items players can hold to two, allowing them to be more prepared for various situations.
Since consumable items can already stack within these slots, players could have several Silphium Vials and several Large Silphium Vials if they are lucky enough to find them. Being able to use more consumables may cause gamers to recommend this kind of roguelike more to their friends.
Icarian Grapnel
Although players received a bounty of Xenotech upgrades during their time in the Overgrown Ruins, things will slow down for a bit in the Crimson Wastes. After progressing through the entire biome and defeating the boss, players will gain access to the Icarian Grapnel.
This item allows them to latch onto orange lights with a grappling hook and travel at high speeds to the location. It is also useful for bridging large gaps and reaching high-up areas. Players using it can gain access to areas with lore that adds to the roguelike enjoyment.
Xenotech Prism 2
There are no new permanent items to be found in the Citadel, but beating this area will unlock Act 2 of Returnal. From here, players will want to explore the Echoing Ruins until they reach a room with a large, black ball of Ichor floating in the middle.
On the other side of this room is the second and final Xenotech Prism. Grabbing this will increase the player's consumable item capacity to the maximum of three. It's upgrades like this that make the game more doable and establishes Returnal as one of the best co-op third-person PlayStation 5 games.
Promethean Insulators
Now players will have to make their way to the Fractured Wastes, the fifth biome in Returnal. Early on, players will find the door to the Hadal Vault which requires three keys. In this central room, three main paths branch off leading to each of the three keys, but a fourth locked door is also present.
Use a key to unlock this door and maneuver through the lasers to obtain the Promethean Insulators. This and the Xenotech Prisms are completely missable, so be sure to grab it. This item allows the player to step on the red hazardous floors without taking damage. These red plates are hard to navigate in third-person, making some players wish this kind of game was a first-person shooter.
Hadal Ballasts
Also in the Fractured Wastes, players will be surprised to find that there is no boss fight to be had on the other side of the Hadal Vault. Instead, players will receive the Hadal Ballasts, a Xenotech device that allows them to go underwater.
This will be vital for getting to the final biome in Returnal, as well as exploring some previously off-limits areas to find more items. To use these, simply jump into any deep body of water. Previously, the player would take damage and then be warped back to solid ground, but now Selene will sink to the bottom.
Delphic Visor
The final piece of permanent Xenotech gear in the game is the Delphic Visor, found deep in the Abyssal Scar. As the final biome of Returnal, players will need to be extra careful when traversing this place. While exploring the Abyssal Scar, players will find a large gap that they can't cross with the Icarian Grapnel.
Follow the quest marker down a different path to find the Delphic Visor. When equipped, players can see Luminescent Orbs. Shooting them will reveal hidden platforms that allow the player to reach new places. They are also vital in defeating the final boss of Returnal.
Returnal is available now for PC and PlayStation 5.