Returnal Playtime [How Long To Beat]

Many fans are wondering about the playtime of Returnal and how long it takes to beat the game, especially after the suspend cycle update. Since the players have to start again from the beginning when they die it might take them a lot of time to complete the whole game. On top of that, there are side missions as well and a secret ending unlockable for the players. 

How Long To Beat Reteurnal

Below you will see in detail how long each playstyle including rushed and leisure will take to complete Returnal in the game. Furthermore, you will also see the play time for the completionist in Returnal if you are one of the players who like to collect all trophies and complete all objectives in the game. 

Main Story 

The main story of Returnal on average will take you around 20 hours to complete and can take more depending upon the playstyle you are following. In the main story, we see our main character Selene crash landing in an alien world. This shape-shifting world is home to an ancient civilization and it’s now her job to make it through to the end to leave this place.

Keep in mind that the planet you are currently on will change with every cycle. But that is not all you will also get to experience different weapons and combinations so you cannot stick with a single strategy throughout the game. The narrative of Returnal is far more different than others.

Therefore the players might find themselves spending hours just to get used to the mechanics of the game. At most, it will require you around 21 hours if you just stick to the main story. This is for the players who just want to experience the main elements and make it through to the end. So you will need at least a day to complete the main story of Returnal. 

However, since there is a suspend cycle and save game option now the players will be able to finish the game much faster as they won’t have to repeat it. Nevertheless, it will definitely take you a few tries if you want to explore all elements of the game. In case you manage to finish the game on your very first try then you might miss a lot of elements that make Returnal special.

So we do recommend you to check out the game properly and explore the world of Atropos deeply to better understand the narrative of the story. Each time you repeat you will definitely find a piece of new information that will make the game even more interesting. 

Time To Explore The Biomes 

There are six biomes for the players to explore and Returnal. Each By one will take around four to five hours to complete depending upon how much you are familiar with the gameplay of Returnal. 

Furthermore, the whole game is split into three acts with 2 being the main ones and the third one being the combination of act one and act two. 

The players will first land in the Overgrown Ruins and since it will be the first time players get used to the mechanics it will take them anywhere around two to three hours to complete this Biome. In the first part of the game every time the players die they will return to the Overgrown Ruins Biome. After a bit of progress, they will be able to unlock the Crimson Wastes Biome which will fairly take less time to complete.

In this Desert Biome, the players will have to complete a sort of tower to progress. This Biome can take them anywhere around an hour to complete. Next, the players will find themselves in their Derelict Citadel. Since it is the beginning stages of the games will not require much time for it to be completed. You will be able to access the Biome from the Teleportation Gate found in the Crimson wastes biome.

They will also be able to access it through the Broken Bridge that is found in the Overgrown Ruins Biome. However, the players will be required to use a certain piece of equipment or a special key to unlock them. 

In the second part of the game is where things get harder and it might require a lot of time for the players to complete these biomes. The players will find themselves returning to the Echoing Ruins Biome after they die in the game. After that, they will be able to unlock Fractured Wastes as well as the Winter Biome and Abyssal Scar.

These biomes except for the Fractured Wastes have boss fights as well. So during their first run, the players can expect to spend at least 10 to 12 hours in the game. These biomes are far more challenging and will require a lot of time for the players in order to be completed. After leaving the Echoing Ruins the players will not be able to access the first three biomes in the game. 

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to return to any Biome after leaving it in the game. Furthermore, there are also a lot of activities that will take quite a lot of time for you to complete them. So if you are completing side missions you can expect a gameplay of no less than 32 hours. 

Secret Ending 

If you are one of the players that want to explore every aspect of the game then you might want to unlock the secret ending as well. In order to do that you will have to play the game multiple times and also collect a few important items in the game.

Only by collecting a series of these items, you will be able to unlock the secret ending. You will need to collect the six surface fragments and complete the game at least once to access the secret ending. These fragments are scattered throughout the biomes and sometimes you will also have to fight enemies to get them.

After that, you have to go back to the echoing ruins and make your way to the house. As soon as you finish the house level you will be able to get your hands on the car keys. This whole process will take you at least 15 to 20 hours. You will have to then make it to the end and survive until the Ophion boss fights.

After fighting Ophion you need to get to the abandoned car. When you use the card key on the door you will be able to unlock the secret ending. For the secret ending the players will have to spend a minimum of 32 hours since finding the collectibles themselves is a lengthy task. 

Completionist 

If you are one of the players who love to complete the whole game and collect every single trophy and achievement then it will take you no less than 60 hours of gameplay to complete Returnal. To get the completionist title the players will have to complete every single objective and task presented to them.

Furthermore, they will also have to collect all items and complete all missions to get the platinum title. The players can expect to repeat the game multiple times before getting the completionist title. However, after completing every single objective the players will be able to earn the Platinum Trophy for the game.

However, if you are already familiar with the gaming mechanics then in a rushed playstyle you will be able to complete Returnal in around 43 hours with every single trophy under your belt.

However, if you find the game difficult then you can expect at least 140 hours of gameplay in case you’re dying throughout the game at different points. Make sure to use the suspend cycle option and the exploit for it whenever necessary especially if you are looking to get the completionist title as it will allow you to start your game from the point you left it. 

Different Play Styles 

The amount of time it will take you to complete Returnal will also depend on the play style you are following. For players who are just following the Main Story without completing any side missions, it will take them an average of 21 hours to complete. However, if they follow a rushed play style then they may be able to complete the game in less than 14 hours.

However, at an average speed, they may be able to complete Returnal in around 19 hours playtime. If you are one of the players that love to explore every single element in the game then even just following the main story and avoiding any extra missions and side tasks will take you around 90 hours to complete the game. 

If you are looking to complete the main story as well as Side Missions then it will take you around 33 hours to complete the game. If you are aware of the mechanics then you can get the game done in under 28 hours as well. By following a rushed play style you will be able to complete Returnal in less than 19 hours. However, if you are looking to complete every single objective and are taking breaks within then you will complete the game in around 100 hours. 

For completionists, they will be required to spend at least 60 to 61 hours to complete the game. however, if you are a completionist following a rushed playstyle you will get the game done in less than 43 hours as well. But if you are taking a lot of time and are not aware of the game mechanics then you can expect at least 140 hours of gameplay in return. 

End Game 

The players will be able to play Returnal after completing it as well according to the playtime mentioned above. There are a lot of factors that the players will be able to discover even after completing the game. Each time they start a new cycle they will find a new piece of information and a new aspect of the story. 

Furthermore, there are also daily challenges that the players will be able to complete in the game. In the daily challenges, the players will have to make their run through certain biomes and we’ll have to complete them in certain conditions to complete the challenge.

They will have to fulfill certain conditions and they will have limited loadouts and consumables to make it even more difficult for the players. For each challenge, they complete they will be awarded points in the game. These daily challenges can take you anywhere around an hour or two to complete. You will be able to access our leaderboard where you can see where the current players stand. 

Summing It Up 

With this, we conclude our detailed guide on the playtime of Returnal and how long it takes to beat the game. Don’t forget to check out our detailed guide on a hookshot and how to obtain it as well as its uses. We have also formulated a detailed guide on scout rank in Returnal and how to increase it.

Don’t forget to check out our guide on all permanent xenotech upgrades in Returnal and how to get them in the game. While you are at it don’t forget to check out our definitive guide on the Tower of Sisyphus. you can check out our guide on how to increase repair efficiency as well to complete the game fairly faster.