Returnal is a PlayStation 5 exclusive that's been the source of both headache and enjoyment for those who got the chance to play it. The game itself can be very punishing, but a lot of players love this very aspect of the game because it can also lead to rewarding results. Finishing the game is a testament to a player's patience and skill, and this game will most certainly let you know that. Other than that, finishing the game can also be very rewarding because of what the narrative entails.
The story of Returnal is very obscure. A lot of players will most likely have more questions than answers. There are a couple of things about the story not that many players may know.
10 Ties To Greek Mythology
A lot of aspects from the story of Returnal, including the characters and the setting, seem to be inspired by Greek myth figures. Every single character in the game has names taken right out of the Greek myths. For example, Selene is the goddess of the moon, which ties to her desire to reach for the stars, quite literally.
The planet Selene lands on, Atropos, is the name of the Greek goddess of fate and destiny. In the myths, Selene's parents are the titans Theia and Hyperion. In the game, the former is actually Selene's mother and the latter is a boss fight, which is also implied to be representative of Selene's father.
9 The Bosses
The bosses in Returnal are also very derivative of gods and figures in the Greek myths. If their Greek counterparts are to be referenced, each boss in the game represents an aspect of Selene's journey.
In the myths, Phrike is a spirit of horror. Ixion was a Greek king known for his acts of betrayal. Nemesis is the goddess of divine retribution. Hyperion is the titan of light. Finally, Ophion is a titan whose fate was to be thrown to the sea. Every single one of these bosses has aspects of them from the myths that mirror Selene's story, like her fate, emotions, and the punishment she seems to be exacting on herself following the accident that occurred in her past.
8 The Story Is About Selene's Grief
At the end of Returnal's story, it is clear that everything that happened in the game is nothing more than a figment of Selene's grief-stricken imagination. She didn't actually go to and survive a distant planet. In fact, there are proofs in the game and indicate that Selene may have been rejected from the astronaut program.
Instead, the story of Returnal is Selene's process of grief, which unfortunately loops back endlessly until she is able to accept her fate. The game's ending highlights that Selene was in a tragic car crash which resulted in the death of her son. Everything in the game is a representation of her processing that grief.
7 The Significance Of Helios
Helios is the name of the ship Selene arrives on Atropos. Each time you leave the ship, a prompt saying "Helios Abandoned" will appear on the screen. Selene will occasionally address the ship as if it were a person, saying things such as "you're here too?" to the ship after being thrown back into Atropos after having "escaped" and seemingly living a full life.
Selene also occasionally calls out to Helios after being resurrected, and more evidently during the game's ending. Helios represents Selene's son, who is also named Helios. In one of the house encounters while playing as the son, the door to his room will shut in your face, revealing his name.
6 08:36
08:36 is a number that frequently appears in the 20th-century house scenes. While playing as the son, you will receive a call from Selene herself who will tell you to heat up your dinner for 8 minutes and 36 seconds. The radio in the kitchen is set at 836. The clocks all around the house are also stuck at 08:36.
As it happens, 08:36 is the time of the eventful car crash, which means this is the approximate time of the death of Selene's son.
5 Don't Fear The Reaper
Don't Fear the Reaper is the song playing on the radio during the car crash that killed Selene's son. It is heard playing during the game's ending that shows this scene. Interestingly, this is also the song that can be faintly heard as you ascend the boss tower in the Echoing Ruins biome.
As you reach the boss fight, it is revealed that the song is being played by the boss itself, who is stuck in an organ.
4 Selene's Rare Condition
Selene has a very rare condition called Heterochromia Iridum, making both of her irises have different colors. Only less than 1% of humans are reportedly affected by this rare condition. While some of them are genetic, that's not the case with Selene.
According to a ship log, Selene's heterochromia was the result of trauma. Selene's natural eyes are supposed to be blue, but because of an injury, one of her irises turned dark brown.
3 The Octopus That Pulls Selene Down
A scene of Selene being dragged down by tentacles is something that haunts her constantly. While very Lovecraftian in nature and goes perfectly well with everything else in the game, this scene shouldn't be taken very literally.
In fact, the toy Helios is holding during the car crash very much resembles the creature that drags Selene back to the water, which ties Selene's loop back to the death of her son.
2 Selene's Relationship With Theia
Theia is the name of Selene's mother in the game. According to various logs and callbacks, Selene and Theia did not have the healthiest mother-daughter relationship. In fact, there are even hints that this relationship was somewhat abusive.
This is why Selene is so hostile to the representation of Theia that appears at the end of the game's true ending. Theia is the frail-looking figure that is seen sitting on the wheelchair and later drops down to the ground.
1 The Meaning Of The Ending
The ending of Returnal is a topic of debate among many. It can be very confusing and the implication is very paradoxical. However, considering the fact that the events of the game are simply a manifestation of Selene's grief, the true meaning of the ending of Returnal can be made even clearer.
In one ending, it is shown that Selene swerved her car and crashed it on the lake is because the astronaut figure that keeps appearing to her in the game also appeared on the bridge. In the secret ending, it is revealed that the astronaut was Selene herself. This implies that no one else is to blame for the tragedy but Selene herself.