‘Returnal’ update: ‘Ascension’ expansion to deliver two-player co-op play and Endless mode this month for free

“Returnal” was one of the most acclaimed games released on PlayStation last year, and developer Housemarque will deliver new ways to play later this month. As part of the upcoming “Ascension” expansion, the game is getting two new modes, including a two-player co-op and survival-focused gameplay.

The third-person shooter mainly features roguelike game elements with major twists added in the gameplay. Players control the main protagonist, space pilot Selene, who has been stranded on the planet of Atropos. The challenging aspect of “Returnal” is that Selene is stuck in a time loop. That means whenever she dies, she has to go back at certain points in the game to battle monstrous aliens and go through dangerous biomes.

With how the gameplay is set up, it seems like the game is mainly designed for a single-player experience. But Housemarque will change that somehow with the upcoming “Returnal: Ascension” expansion.

One of the highlights of the next update is an online two-player co-op mode. Players can join existing public cycles or set up a private cycle from the Chronosis portal found near Selene’s crash site. Friends can play together through private sessions.

Both players will assume the role of Selene. If they have different levels of skills in “Returnal,” the co-op mode will force them back together whenever one of the players gets too far from the other. In case one player dies, their teammate can revive them. But they have to decide whether it is a smart move considering the dangerous environment. “Progression is tied to the host, so if you’re struggling to overcome a certain boss or biome, bringing in another player to help may open your road to triumph,” Housemarque said in a blog post.

“Returnal: Ascension” will also introduce an Endless mode, which is practically an arcade-like, survival-themed gameplay. Players will enter the Tower of Sisyphus and have to climb their way up to earn scores. The tower has 20 floors, and players will have to face Algos by the end of each phase. Housemarque notes that the enemies and challenges will get tougher as players reach higher levels of the tower.

Those who liked the game’s narrative might also find the Tower of Sisyphus a rewarding experience. Housemarque said the tower contains a “new narrative” that will give them more idea of Selene’s backstory. “Returnal: Ascension” is slated to go live later this month for free.