While it was speculated that the PS5 smash-hit, Returnal, would receive some sort of DLC. I didn’t expect this DLC to add a co-op mode or an endless game mode, but that’s exactly what was announced. During the March 9 State of Play, Housemarque revealed its next chapter for Returnal and its aptly called, Ascension. This update will be available later this month and will be a free update for everyone who owns the game.
Returnal Ascension will add a co-op mode to the game, so players won’t have to go through the hellish levels alone anymore. So, imagine if I was right there alongside you, helping you (or you helping me) kick some bosses assess. I never knew that I wanted co-op in the game, but I really like the concept. The co-op mode works seamlessly, as players can enable the mode via a portal near the starting location in the game. And yes, the co-op is handled via online gameplay.
Players won’t be able to get too far away from each other during these co-op sessions, they’ll be tethered back and ensuring that things don’t get out of hand. Players will also have the ability to revive the other player if they happen to meet an early demise. Dark Souls and Elden Ring would do well to implement this. While all the progression will be awarded to the host of the game, the secondary player will still be able to keep other things such as xenoglyphs and logs collected during sessions.
The other mode announced is being called “Tower of Sisyphus”, and serves as an endless game mode. How far can you and possibly your co-op buddy get? Well, that’s entirely up to you and your skills, as this Tower of Sisyphus has no end. The further you progress through the tower, the harder things will get. I suppose it will get to the point where success would be impossible, but I welcome this challenge. There’s going to be plenty of encounters, with bosses as well, and apparently, there’s a new one that’s been added. That should be interesting. As well as new items, secrets, and multiple routes to traverse as well. The higher you progress, the bigger the score, which will be tracked via a global scoreboard. So you can gloat on just how well you do, and or vice-versa.
Housemarque is calling the Tower of Sisyphus a return to roots for them, as the company is well known for its arcade-inspired games. And this, well, this is everything that they have learned and loved, all toss into what sounds like an impossible challenge. And well, that excites me and I can’t wait to try it out.
