Return, by all accounts, looks like a separate PlayStation 5 title. With developer Housemarque’s signature visual talent and snap play, it’s a third-person shooter that should pop on the new console. Its narrative structure and narration should be a compelling experience as well. It looks great, but there’s one thing that shakes the nose of even the most avid Housemarque fans: its price tag.
In fact, Returnal currently costs $ 69.99 / £ 69.99, which is on par with PS5 games like Demon’s Souls and Call of Duty: Cold War Black Ops – seen as much bigger projects from the side outside looking inside. It has become a major catchment area. ; we have certainly noticed a lot of commentary among our own readers suggesting that the cost of admission is too high.
We had the opportunity to do interviews with Housemarque – you can read the full conversation via the link – and we couldn’t resist asking them what they thought of this response. Speaking to game director Harry Krueger and marketing director Mikael Haveri, we asked for their views on the question of value around Returnal.
Haveri told us that the game is “a much bigger effort than our previous pack”, noting that this is the biggest project the team has ever undertaken. In addition, it is launching a new system, which includes new features such as 3D audio and haptic feedback. “Everything really serves a new kind of experience,” says Haveri, explaining that they aim to achieve the end of their deal by making “the the best, most replayable and exciting experience ”they can.
He continues: “Now, of course, it’s a new generation of tokens and a re-gen title, so there are things that come with it, but as long as we do our part off and making the best game, then we do our half of the value proposition in that regard “.
We should point out that Housemarque does not make decisions like pricing. Sony stopped that high price on the box, apparently because it sees the game on an equal or higher footing compared to other PS5 software. Just looking at the company’s own titles, Sackboy: A Big Adventure goes for $ 59.99, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales for just $ 49.99. Looking at it this way, it’s clear that Sony is very confident in Returnal and its content.
Anyway, that’s it. The developer’s belief is that he’s making the best game he can. It’s up to you whether or not a smoker is worth 70.
For more thoughts on Returnal, read our new manual preview.