A "Returnal" sequel from developer Housemarque is not within the studio's plans, at least according to studio managing director Ilari Kuittinen.
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Kuittinen, alongside other members of the studio's top management, spoke about their plans for the future after the success of their PS5-exclusive roguelike. He mentioned how Housemarque is "one of the very last dinosaurs making arcade games," citing examples like "Nex Machina" which they launched back in 2017.
Notably, however, he didn't mention anything about a potential "Returnal" sequel, as reported by IGN. He just went on hinting about how they likely want to focus on potentially starting a new IP, and how they want to "hold on to the identity" of being a studio focused on developing arcadey games.
Kuittinen's statements, while not directly referencing a "Returnal" sequel, is likely enough proof for now that you won't see such a game anytime soon. "Returnal" game director Harry Krueger basically shares the same sentiments in an interview with Venturebeat during the DICE Awards.
But while a potential sequel to the early PlayStation 5 exclusive was never mentioned, it doesn't mean that Housemarque won't be making another game like it.
"Returnal" gained a reputation for being a difficult game in its own way. But when asked about whether they enjoyed making difficult games, Krueger said the difficulty is just part of their desire to create a rewarding gameplay experience.
He believes that while it's hard to create a sense of triumph after pushing players to the brink of frustration, the sense of achievement people get after squeaking through the challenge is the rewarding part.
"Returnal" was considered one of the biggest releases of the current generation. It was also one of the best titles you need to play to show off the power of your PS5, as it made use of a lot of the new tech Sony put into its latest console.
Read Also: Sony PlayStation Acquires Housemarque to Expand its In-House Gaming Roster
What's Next After 'Returnal?'
A new IP, it seems, is next on Housemarque's radar after their successful roguelike. According to a report by Comicbook.com, the developer has teased a new PlayStation 5 exclusive game in the works, but that's just about it. They didn't provide any other information about it.
Whatever the game turns out to be, though, it has big shoes to fill. "Returnal" implemented a lot of innovative ideas that made it stand out from the rest. As a result, Sony considered it a "mega-hit," despite not sharing exact sales numbers for the game overall.
If the reviews are any indication, then "Returnal" is indeed a successful game. According to The Gamer, the game received a lot of positive reviews from both players and critics, despite being sold at a premium at launch due to being a next-gen exclusive ($70).
As of this writing, the game's score on Metacritic is at 86 based on 115 Critic Reviews. Its user score, on the other hand, is at 7.3 based on 3422 user ratings. Whatever Housemarque's new IP is, it better deliver.
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Written by RJ Pierce
