Free Returnal: Ascension Update Is Out Today

Returnal: Ascension the free update to Returnal that was announced at Sony’s State of Play earlier this month is available from today. The update is a pretty big one considering it’s free. Ascension adds two new modes to the base game. A co-op mode in the main game and a new high-score chasing endless mode called Tower of Sisyphus. Check out the patch notes for the update below.

Returnal: Ascension Update Patch Notes

PATCH NOTES:

• Co-op: Combine forces with a second Selene
• Tower of Sisyphus: Endless mode, where Selene is drawn to climb the Tower and solve its mysteries, and the player is chasing the highest score 
• Bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements

In co-op, players will be able to summon a second Selene from another timeline. A pretty clever way of adding co-op to this otherwise incredibly solitary game. Players can play co-op with friends in a private session or with a random person via public matchmaking. Unfortunately, progression made while playing is tied to the host of the session, although any logs and xenoglyphs that players collect will carry over even if they aren’t the host.

Tower of Sisyphus is an arcade-style survival mode. Players can attempt to ascend the tower, battling a myriad of enemies and bosses. The higher players can get, the higher their score. Players will also need to be mindful of their score multipliers in order to make the most of their runs in the tower. The tower contains new levels, special weapons, and a new boss. It also continues Selene’s story as players progress through the tower.

The Returnal: Ascension update can be downloaded from today, March 22. Players will need to ensure they do not have a suspended cycle in progress when updating the game, otherwise, that non-permanent progress will be lost.

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