Returnal gets a patch today – but its studio warns against auto-downloading it

Returnal developer Housemarque has warned players not to download the game’s patch today – at least, not automatically.

The studio is set to release the game’s first post-launch patch at noon PST (7pm GMT) today, along with patch notes detailing what the update will contain.

Ahead of this, however, the studio took to twitter to warn players to turn off auto-updates on their PS5 console, because if the console automatically updates the game the player may lose their current run.

Returnal runs can last multiple hours, and with no ability to save mid-run the game advises players to keep their PS5 in Rest Mode when they aren’t playing. This turns off the console but keeps their current play state suspended, meaning players can resume their run when they next turn on the system.

If an automatic update is downloaded, however, the game will close so the update can be applied, meaning any current run the player is on will be ended.

Players should therefore turn off auto-updates on their console, finish their run and then manually update the game so no progress is lost.

Last week Housemarque acknowledged complaints over Returnal’s lack of save options, but added that it had nothing to announce in terms of additions.

The studio posted a tweet referring to a Reddit thread in which over 700 players were asking for a save option.

“We hear the community and we love you all,” it said. “Nothing to announce now, but keep playing and enjoying the challenge as you can!”

Returnal released for PlayStation 5 last week. Our Returnal review says the game’s “constant action and clever semi-procedural structure make it an engaging adventure, not to mention a visually stunning one.

“The lack of any difficulty levels may unfortunately exclude less experienced gamers, but anyone who doesn’t mind dying a bunch of times will thoroughly enjoy themselves.”

Further reading

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