Returnal: How To Suspend A Cycle

There is finally a Save Option now in Returnal, but with a slight twist to it!

In one of the newest features of Returnal, the players are now able to suspend a cycle to save their progress in the game. Doing so will allow them to start from the same point they left their game. It is very much like a Save Game option that will allow you to quit midway in Returnal. By using the Suspend Cycle option the players will be able to pause their current cycle and will be able to continue it later from the same point in the future.

Therefore, they will be able to turn their PC or consoles off completely without worrying about losing their current progress so far during a cycle. This was definitely one of the most anticipated features in the game. 

Key Takeaways
  • Suspend Cycle is a new feature in the Returnal that will allow the players to resume their cycle in case they want to take a break. 
  • The Suspend Cycle will only work once when used and the Suspend Point will be deleted when the players resume their game again. 
  • The option will not work in scenarios like cutscenes, cinematics, and boss battles as well as first-person scenes in Returnal. 
  • The PlayStation players will be able to perform an exploit by saving their progress in took cloud when they use the Suspend Cycle option to avoid the suspend point getting deleted. 
  • The Suspend Cycle option is a great feature to use before boss fights as it will allow you to explore the biomes and collect the most powerful equipment to aid you in combat. 
Important: The suspend cycle feature can be accessed in the 2.0 update of Returnal and will allow the players to resume their run and continue the game where they left it.

How To Suspend A Cycle 

The players will be able to suspend their cycle easily by heading toward the Pause Menu in the game. After that, you need to Scroll down all the way to the bottom and you will find the Suspend Cycle option. However, make sure that your game is updated in order to access this option.

Returnal Suspend A Cycle 
Suspend Cycle (Image by eXputer)

After selecting the Suspend Cycle option your current cycle in the game will be suspended and resumed until you start the game again. This is definitely a great feature since there is no Save option in Returnal as of now. Even the Suspend Cycle option is not particularly a save option.

This is because as soon as you start your cycle again from the point you suspended your cycle, the suspended point will be deleted automatically. Therefore, you will have to suspend your cycle again in order to resume it from a certain point. 

Importance

Suspend Cycle is definitely one of the most important features in Returnal right now as it allows players to enjoy the game and make it to the end without dying and restarting again and again. You will get to suspend any current cycle when you are looking to take a break during a certain combat situation.

Returnal How To Suspend A Cycle 
Exploring before boss battle (Image by eXputer)

Furthermore, you will also be able to suspend your cycle and curate a build for an upcoming boss fight. For instance, if you are looking to find an end-game boss, you might want to explore all biomes and find the most powerful equipment before you participate in the battle.

Therefore, if you use the Suspend Cycle feature you will be able to explore all biomes while collecting different pieces of equipment that will help you in the boss battle. After you have successfully acquired a powerful weapon and any other equipment and items you need for the boss you will be able to face it more effectively without worrying about dying against him. 

When To Use

Keep in mind that suspending a cycle is not equivalent to the Save Game option traditionally found in video games. By suspending your cycle you will be able to exit your game fully without losing any progress you have made so far up to that suspend point.

However, as soon as you come back to your game the suspend point will be deleted and you will have to use the Suspend Cycle option again in case you want to turn off your game. 

Since it is not similar to the save game option you won’t be able to suspend a cycle during certain points in the game. This includes any cutscenes or cinematics as well as boss battles. Furthermore, you also won’t be able to use the option during the intense battle an enemy fights as well as first-person sequences.

Pause Menu
Pause Menu (Image by eXputer)

It’s best to enjoy these scenes as it is without resuming or pausing them in any way. While many fans of Returnal are against this update as they feel it destroys the true purpose of the game, the majority of the players feel that this might allow them to enjoy the game more as they won’t have to repeat it again from the very start in case they die.

So if you are one of the players who get annoyed from starting again when killed in Returnal, then you will surely benefit a lot from Suspend Cycle Option. Now all your lengthy sessions in Atropos will be more convenient and enjoyable thanks to the newest update. 

Exploit method 

According to our games journalist Joseph Yaden, the players will be able to utilize the Suspend Cycle feature to save their game. 

  • To perform the exploit the players will have to follow the steps below. 
  • Use the Suspend Cycle option at any point you want in your game by going to the Pause Menu. 
  • After that, the players will have to upload their current save to the cloud and then switch off their consoles. 
  • After that, the players will be able to continue the game after joining again using the Suspend Cycle option. 
  • In case they die then they will be able to go back to the same Suspend Point by downloading their save from the cloud. 
  • This option will allow them to use the suspend point again during their runs since it won’t get deleted.
    Returnal How To Suspend A Cycle 
    Suspend Cycle Exploit (Image by eXputer)

The players will be able to use this exploit on PlayStation by accessing its cloud service. Suspend Cycle is definitely the closest option the players have right now that will allow them to save their game more or less. By using the exploit they will avoid getting their suspend point deleted and will be able to utilize the option as much as they want. 

Summing it up 

With this, we conclude our detailed guide on Suspend Cycle and how to use it in Returnal to avoid starting from the beginning in case the players die. You can use the Suspend Cycle feature and make use of the exploit we have mentioned in case you want to avoid starting from the very start in case you die.

Don’t forget to check out our guides on Hookshot in Returnal as well as how to increase and upgrade scout rank. We have also formulated a detailed guide on permanent xenotech upgrades in Returnal and how to get them.

While you are at it don’t forget to check out our detailed guide on the Tower of Sisyphus along with tips on how to conquer it. If you are wondering about the ending of Returnal make sure to check out our guide on it. You can also check out our guide on repair efficiency in Returnal and how to increase it through different methods. 

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Kashaf Ul Khair


Kashaf is an RPG and Battle Royale enthusiast and can be seen spending most of her time battling other players in Naraka Bladepoint or improving her skills in Diablo 4. She loves to curate builds based on her own expertise and writes guides to help the audience become pros in no time. She kicked off her writing career on eXputer with several years of experience. You can follow Kashaf's gaming activity on her Steam profile. Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Majored in English Literature || Published 250+ Guides 

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