While playing through Returnal, even the most skilled of players are bound to take some damage at some time. While other roguelites place a huge emphasis on careful play and avoiding damage, this one will instead see players managing how much damage they take with healing items they can find. There are two main ways to heal in the game, by either using healing items or unlocking certain buffs that allow Selene to heal. Neither of these options are guaranteed in any way since everything is randomized, but players will want to keep an eye out for them.
Each run in Returnal is different from the last, but players get stronger gradually as they go. One thing that will always be present is the need for healing and the healing items that fulfill that need. Although this is a basic part of survival in Returnal, it is very important to understand it in order for players to succeed and get further into the game.
Returnal - Healing Items
There are several different healing items in Returnal, but the most common by far is called Silphium. This item appears green and spawns in every biome, and picking it up will automatically restore some integrity. Silphium comes in four varieties, Small Silphium, Silphium, Large Silphium, and Malignant Silphium. The larger the item, the more it heals, and Malignant Silphium can inflict a Malfunction on the player's body suit. There are also Silphium Vials that serve as consumable items that players can use to heal when it is more needed. Finally, Inert Reclaimers restore a large chunk of integrity but also spawn enemies nearby.
Returnal - Other Healing Methods
Outside of this, players can also make use of the random buffs they find to heal themselves. This may take the form of siphoning integrity from defeated enemies, or it might heal the player once they drop below a certain integrity threshold. These buffs can be extremely useful, but players will need to get lucky in order to get them. Another method involves Fabrication Pods. These can only be used once in each run, but they will heal the player with no other negative consequences.
Returnal makes it clear from the start that it won't pull any punches, so players need to approach it with the same attitude. Use everything available in order to make it a little farther through Atropos, and always be on the look out for healing items and buffs.
Returnal is available now on PS5.
