How Long It Takes to Beat Returnal Ahead of Saros’ Release Date

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Housemarque, the developer behind the popular roguelite game Returnal, is releasing Saros this month. Returnal, a standout PS5 exclusive from five years ago, remains a hidden gem for many. With Saros on the horizon, some players might be inspired to check out Returnal, but they’re likely wondering how long it will take to complete before the new game arrives.

While not a direct sequel, Housemarque has stated that Saros is spiritually connected to Returnal, and even a quick look at Saros‘ gameplay confirms this. The two games could also be roughly the same length. Returnal offers a substantial story without being overly long, and it’s very replayable. With so many games to choose from, Returnal stands out as a title that can easily fit into various players’ schedules and play styles.

How Long It Takes to Beat Returnal‘s Main Story

Returnal is a top-tier roguelite game with a surprisingly compelling story. It explores heavy themes like guilt, grief, and breaking free from repeating mistakes. The game cleverly uses its roguelite gameplay to enhance the narrative, all while delivering exciting combat. Players focused on completing the main story can expect to spend approximately 20 to 25 hours, which is a reasonable time commitment for those who don’t have endless hours to dedicate to gaming.

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Many new players will find the beginning of Returnal quite challenging. However, the game becomes much easier as you improve Selene’s abilities and get used to how it plays. Spending around 20 hours with the game should give you a solid foundation before Saros comes out.

Housemarque is now hiring people to work on their next game. It’s very early in development, so we likely won’t learn what they’re making after Saros for quite some time.

Returnal’s Estimated Side Activities and Completionist Hours

  • Main story and side activities — Around 30 hours
  • Completionist run — About 65 hours

It takes about 30 hours to finish the main story and side content in Returnal, which isn’t a huge time commitment. However, players aiming for 100% completion should expect to spend over 65 hours exploring everything the game offers. Many dedicated gamers find the detailed world and gameplay well worth the extra time. In fact, Returnal is so engaging that it’s easy to keep playing—I’ve personally spent around 150 hours in the game, and some players have even exceeded 1,000 hours!

Saros Hopefully Brings More Attention to Returnal

With the upcoming release of Saros, it will be fascinating to see how many players discover Returnal. While both games share similar gameplay elements, Saros appears to be a more approachable Bullet Hell roguelite. Whether you play Returnal before or after Saros, both are worthwhile for players seeking a game with a compelling story, fast-paced action, and a reasonable playtime.

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2026-04-05 17:34