One of the most critically-acclaimed new releases of 2021 was Housemarque's Returnal, a brutal but beautiful third-person shooter mixed with roguelike elements. Housemarque has continued to support Returnal since its launch by releasing updates that mainly work to address fan feedback, but soon the game will be getting its most substantial update to date. And better yet, it will be completely free.
It was announced during the latest PlayStation State of Play event that Housemarque has prepared a big new update for Returnal that's set to drop on March 22. The Ascension update for Returnal will add a co-op mode that lets players play through the campaign with a friend. Challenge mode and the story sequences where Selene explores a house will not be accessible to those playing in co-op, however.
Adding co-op to Returnal would be cause enough for many lapsed players to return to the unforgiving planet of Atropos, but there's even more for fans to look forward to come March 22 with the 3.0 Ascension update. Not only is Returnal getting a co-op mode with the Ascension update, but it's also getting a brand-new gauntlet mode called the Tower of Sisyphus, available to anyone that's progressed far enough in the game to unlock the Icarian Grapnel.
Assuming Returnal players have progressed far enough to unlock the Icarian Grapnel, they will have access to the Tower of Sisyphus. Like gauntlet-style modes in other games, the Tower of Sisyphus challenges Returnal players to clear out floors of enemies. Each cleared room allows Returnal's Selene to advance to the next floor. And based on what was shown in the trailer, it does look like the Tower of Sisyphus may also have some new story developments for fans to look forward to as well.
Housemarque's next game is going to be a new IP, which means that fans shouldn't hold their breath for a Returnal sequel anytime soon. But while a Returnal sequel may not necessarily be in the works, at least there's the Ascension update to look forward to. The Returnal Ascension update being free is just icing on the cake, meaning fans have no reason not to jump back into the game to replay the campaign in co-op or take on the challenges of the Tower of Sisyphus.
It may not be a full-blown Returnal sequel, but the 3.0 Ascension update should still prove popular with fans of the game once it drops on March 22.
Returnal is out now, exclusively for PlayStation 5.
