[ENG] Achievement Guide

100% Achievement Guide, because no one else has made one yet in English.

Introduction

NOTE: This is my first time writing a guide, so please provide feedback and/or let me know how helpful this has been.

Returnal is a difficult but very satisfying third-person shooter roguelike developed by Housemarque and published by Sony exclusively for PlayStation 5. However, thanks to Sony's continuing PC-porting efforts, keyboard and mouse players can join in on the fun. As astronaut Selene Vassos, you're stranded on the alien planet of Atropos, trapped in a timeloop where every death results in a fresh start at your crash site. The only way to break the cycle and escape is to fight, die, and repeat.

There's 38 total achievements in the game, 31 in the main game, and 7 added for the Ascension DLC. So with all that said, here's an achievement guide because as far as I know, no one else has done this yet on Steam in English. Most of this guide is based upon PlayStation trophy information.

Main Game - Progression & Skill

Returnal is split into 2 halves with 3 biomes each for a total of 6. You initially start off at the crash site in the first biome you'll experience, the Overgrown Ruins. After clearing the Overgrown Ruins and the 2 subsequent biomes, you'll enter the second half, where if you die in any of the biomes here, you'll be brought back to the start of the second half, not the Overgrown Ruins.


Atropian Survival
"Learn the basics of survival on Atropos"

Find and equip the Atropian Blade, your only melee weapon. This can be found in the room with the Crimson Gate, attached to a broken automaton upon reaching it for the first time. Unmissable.


Surgical Precision
"Perform 5 successful Overloads in a row"

Overloading is Returnal's form of active reload. Upon firing the last shot of ammo in your gun, it will enter a cooldown state where you have to wait a few seconds before firing off more shots. However, if you time your left-click just right by looking at the charging bar in your crosshair, you can reload your weapon instantly, skipping the cooldown sequence. Depending on the weapon you have, Overloading can be easy, difficult, or not even possible to begin with.


Hardened Shell
"Achieve 200% Max Integrity"

Integrity refers to your health. Lose all of it, and you die and reset. Max Integrity can be increased by a number of methods, ranging from technology such as Inert Reclaimers to buying certain augments at Fabricators. However, one of the the more reliable ways of increasing Max Integrity is by collecting green healing items found in rooms at full health. What would normally be regular Silphium that can heal you when damaged hardens into resin. Collect 3 resin and your Max Integrity slightly increases.


Adrenaline Spike
"Achieve maximum Adrenaline Level"

Adrenaline levels can be built up to 5 times. To gain an Adrenaline level, kill three enemies without getting hurt. Keeping Adrenaline up can be beneficial, giving buffs such as an enhanced Overload or a one-time shield. However, take damage even once, and your adrenaline level will be depleted to zero.


Adapting to Circumstance
"Achieve Weapon Proficiency level 30"

Weapon Proficiency affects how good a weapon will be upon finding one, including its stats and weapon traits. However, just because a weapon has a higher proficiency number doesn't always mean it will be better than the one you have equipped. Proficiency can be increased by collecting Calibrator artifacts or by killing enemies. If you've managed to keep your Adrenaline up, your Proficiency rate will be increased as well.

If you're still having trouble with this achievement, you can reach and even pass level 30 in the endless Tower of Sisyphus.


Irreversibly Contaminated
"Have 5 Parasites simultaneously"

Parasites are little creatures that provide a buff and debuff upon picking them up. These can be found throughout your runs in all sorts of places such as containers, as a drop from enemies, or within alien flora.


In-Field Training
"Complete a daily challenge in Simulation Mode"

After progressing substantially in the game, a terminal on your crashed spaceship will unlock, granting access to daily challenges. In these, you can compete against other players across a fixed series of rooms with a predetermined weapon layout for the highest score. In the process of completing these challenges, you can also gain Ether. Requires an online connection.


Risk Assessment
"Finish Calculated Risk"

Calculated Risk is a task that can be accessed in the Progress section of the pause menu. Task progression is cumulative so don't feel pressured to do it all in one go. To complete this task, do the following:

• Open 3 Malignant Containers
  
• Pick up 3 Malignant Silphiums
  
• Pick up 3 Malignant Resins
  
• Pick up 1 Malignant Key
  
• Pick up 3 Spoiled Resins

Main Game - Story

These should be unmissable for the most part. In addition, descriptions and methods will all be spoilered. Unless you're comfortable with spoilers, it's best to avoid this section.


Eternal Return
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Experience a new cycle after death"

Obtained after dying once in the game. Hell, you've probably already unlocked this without even knowing it.


Welcome Home
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Complete the first House sequence"

During your runs through the Overgrown Ruins, you'll come across an old 20th-century house. Said house is initially locked, with the key hidden in a side room past a triangular doorway on the minimap. Once you obtain the key, you'll be able to enter the house. The key will stay with you for subsequent runs as this structure will pop up as you progress more in the game.


Second Chance
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Returned by an Artifact"

Upon completing the first house sequence, you'll be greeted with an Astronaut Figurine that you can pick up if you picked up the wooden block on the floor in the house. Though there is not much about this item on first glance, it will prove invaluable, as upon dying, it will resurrect you on the spot.

If you didn't pick up the block, the Astronaut Figurine will be available to purchase at Fabricators.


Failed Escape
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Act 1"

Unlocked by finishing the first half of the game. So, clear the Overgrown Ruins and the two subsequent biomes.


Last Drive
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Act 2"

Finish the second half of the game by completing the remaining three biomes.


Sins of the Mother
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Complete all House sequences"

After getting the house key and experiencing the first house sequence, the house can be re-encountered 5 more times; 2 more in the Overgrown Ruins upon making further progress, and 3 in biome 4. You'll know if you've unlocked another house sequence if you encounter the house and the lights are on.


White Shadow
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Act 3"

MAJOR SPOILERS INBOUND, DO NOT HOVER OVER THE BELOW TEXT IF YOU'RE NOT READY

You're not much farther now from the very end. Follow these steps to unlock this achievement:

1. Experience at least 5 house sequences if you haven't yet: The fifth sequence should unlock at the house in biome 4 upon reaching biome 6 for the first time.
   
2. Defeat Ophion (the boss of biome 6) for the first time: By defeating Ophion, six Sunface Fragments will spawn in Atropos' biomes. In addition, you will also be able to access a previously closed door on your ship, allowing you to transfer between the starts of each half of the game, the Overgrown Ruins and biome 4.
   
3. Collect all 6 fragments: There will be one fragment per biome on Atropos. They will always spawn in the same location, and they will be saved in your inventory across all runs. They will be required to unlock the sixth and final house sequence. The aforementioned ship door will allow you to return to the first half of the game and collect the fragments there.
   
4. Experience the sixth house sequence in biome 4: Upon completion of the final house sequence, you will unlock the car keys.
   
5. Defeat Ophion a second time: Once Ophion has been killed a second time and falling down the hole once more, you will unlock a new secret cutscene by interacting with the car.

Main Game - Bosses

Returnal has 5 bosses in its 6 biomes. Each boss has to be defeated just once to progress in the game, though fights can be repeated. All the following achievements are unmissable.


A Shadow in the Fog
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Phrike"

Named after the Greek spirit of horror, Phrike is the first boss you'll encounter after finding the Anathema Key and unlocking its respective vault in the Overgrown Ruins. Defeat it and you'll earn the Crimson Key, unlocking passage to biome 2.


Ascension
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Ixion"

Named after the king of the Lapiths, you'll encounter Ixion after scaling the mountain in biome 2. Defeat it, and you'll unlock the Icarian Grapnel item and passage to biome 3.


Trial by Judgement
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Nemesis"

Named after the Greek goddess of retribution, Nemesis is the final boss of Act 1 which you'll encounter in a dream-like arena upon reaching the top of the tower in biome 3.


Silence the Song
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Hyperion"

Named after the Greek titan of the sun, Hyperion is the organ-playing first boss of Act 2 of the game, fought after ascending the spire in biome 4, which requires finding 2 Echoing Keys to unlock its vault. Defeat it to get the Fractured Key and passage to biome 5. There's no boss in biome 5, but the challenge only ramps up from here.


Inner Darkness
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Ophion"

Named after the first titan-king, Ophion is the game's final boss and is encountered at the end of biome 6. It requires the Abyssal Key to unlock its respective vault.

Main Game - Collectibles

Cryptic Messages
"Scan a Xenoglyph"


Cryptic Translations
"Unlock all translation tiers of a Xenoglyph"

Xenoglyphs are glowing red tablets that can be found in all biomes and are marked by rune-like symbols on the minimap; however, all Xenoglyphs require translation. To translate a xenoglyph, ciphers, which are red runes that can be found throughout all 6 biomes' rooms, need to be scanned. Once a sufficient amount of ciphers are found, the Xenoglyph can eventually be fully translated, unlocking lore and story in regards to Atropos.

Ciphers are usually marked with a green upside-down triangle marker on the minimap, and are cumulative, meaning collected ciphers will total up and will be kept upon each run.


Alternate Fates
"Retrieve 10 Scout Logs"

Scout logs are audio diaries of alternate versions of Selene that died previously due to some unforeseen cause. Listening to these logs can shed light on the underlying backstory of Selene, and the lore of Atropos. They are usually marked by a suit signal icon on the minimap and in white in the world.


Visions of the Past
"Complete a Xeno-archive set (excluding Tower of Sisyphus)"

Xeno-archives are three-dimensional projections that further explain the lore of Atropos and are sometimes found in side-rooms marked by triangular doorways. To access an entire set, they may require a permanent traversal artifact that can be obtained later in the game.

Environment Surveys and End Game

At this point you've probably made it through all 6 biomes and hell, maybe even made it through the game outright, so give yourself a pat on the back, maybe treat yourself as well. Pretty much the only thing left is to complete environment surveys if you haven't already done so. Each environment survey for the 6 biomes consists of 5 primary components:

• Scanning all Xenoglyph Ciphers: Glowing red runes that can be found in rooms of a biome. Usually marked with a green upside-down triangle marker on the minimap. Refer to Cryptic Messages and Cryptic Translations for more information.
  
• Retrieving all Scout Logs: Usually marked by a suit signal icon on the minimap, and marked in white in the world. Refer to Alternate Fates for more information.
  
• Scanning all Xeno-archives: Sometimes found in side-rooms marked with triangular doorways. May require a permanent traversal artifact that can be obtained later in the game. Refer to Visions of the Past for more information.
  
• Clearing the Containment Area: Marked with a yellow rectangular door with a star above it, the Containment Area is a marathon challenge that requires clearing three successive waves of enemies increasing in difficulty. While on subsequent runs the room will be reset, the room itself will need to be cleared just once for each survey.
  
• Finding a Secret Area: In some rooms, you'll find glowing yellow spheres that aren't marked on your minimap. These can lead to secret rooms that can contain anything from loose Obolites, containers, or an ultra-tough enemy.

Below is a table for amounts of Xenoglyph Ciphers, Scout Logs, and Xeno-Archives in each biome. Note that you may not encounter all collectibles in one run, especially the Scout Logs and Xenoglyph Ciphers, so just keep doing more runs, you'll find them all eventually.

Biome	Xenoglyph Ciphers	Scout Logs	Xeno-Archives
1. Overgrown Ruins	10	18	4
2. Crimson Wastes	20	9	5
3. Derelict Citadel	15	10	5
4. Echoing Ruins	15	11	5
5. Fractured Wastes	10	10	4
6. Abyssal Scar	20	9	5

Upon completing an environment survey for a biome, you'll be granted its respective achievement.


Past the Ruins
"Finish Overgrown Ruins Survey"


Ascending the Mountain
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Crimson Wastes Survey"


Through the Forgotten City
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Derelict Citadel Survey"


Echoes of the Past
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Echoing Ruins Survey"


Frozen in Time
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Fractured Wastes Survey"


Submerged in Memories
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Finish Abyssal Scar Survey"

Ascension DLC (Tower of Sisyphus)

Introduced for PlayStation 5 players on March 22, 2022, Ascension adds an endless score attack mode in the form of the Tower of Sisyphus, along with its own set of achievements. In addition, there's also online co-op, although no achievements were added for said mode other than tasks for the in-game progress tracker that can be easily accessed in the pause menu.

To access the Tower of Sisyphus to begin with, you need the Icarian Grapnel item (aka the grappling hook) that can be obtained later on in the game. To return back to the crash site, use the device that can be found behind you upon respawning in the Tower hub.

The following achievements can be unlocked here (spoilered for good measure):


Eternal Ascent
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Die and return in the Tower"

Self-explanatory. Hell, you've probably already unlocked this and don't even know it.


Broken, Restored, Empty
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Complete the first Hospital sequence"

Upon dying for the first time in the Tower, you'll respawn in the Tower hub and be greeted with a hospital bed to the left. Interact with it to enter the first hospital sequence.


The Watcher
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Algos' first form"

Named after the Greek personification of pain, Algos is the main boss of the Tower of Sisyphus that is encountered at the end of a tower phase, or after 20 rooms. Its first form will be encountered in room 1-20. As you defeat Algos, it will gain more phases.


Destroyer
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Kill 100 Hostiles with Disgorgers"

Disgorgers are a brand new type of consumable found exclusively in the Tower of Sisyphus. Upon usage, it temporarily transforms your gun into a powerful weapon that can vary upon firing depending on what Disgorger you use. While Disgorgers are stackable, upon picking up a different kind of Disgorger than the one in your inventory, all your current Disgorgers will be converted to that type.

You'll first encounter one later on in the Tower, in room 2-13, after which they can appear in earlier rooms upon starting new runs. Progress for this achievement is cumulative, so don't worry about trying to attempt this in one go.


Empty Embrace
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Open the Locked Door"

This is unlocked by completing the third hospital sequence. To unlock the third hospital sequence to begin with, you have to collect 6 poppies scattered in rooms throughout the tower. However, each poppy spawns one at a time, so upon collecting a poppy, you will have to die and start a new run to collect the next one. You should also go to the hospital after collecting a few poppies to unlock the second hospital sequence as well.


Eyes Closed
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Defeat Algos' final form"

Algos' final form will be encountered much later in the tower, at the end of the Tower's third phase.


Find Release
HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT - "Gain a moment of peace"

Complete the final hospital sequence. You'll earn this one after defeating the final form of Algos, dying and respawning at the Tower hub, and interacting with the hospital bed.

Conclusion

If you've managed to get everything in this guide, you'll be granted Returnal's ultimate reward:


Helios
"Collect all main Achievements"

Congratulations!

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I hope this guide serves other players well. As mentioned at the start, this is the first time I've written a guide like this. If there's any details I might have missed or details I have gotten completely wrong, please let me know in the comments. I might also make other guides for this game in regards to topics such as all the items and descriptors in the game to maybe some basic gameplay tips as well if there's demand.

Credits

Exophase.com for the achievement icons in this guide.

Pretty much any PlayStation trophy guide website for hidden achievement descriptions and methods, but for this one in particular, PSProfiles.com.

Various information sources, including the Returnal subreddit and IGN Guides for methods.

[KAISER KARREN]

hello, what torture for platinum this game, how many runs do I have to do to find my last xenoglyphs and 1 voice recording?

[Archi]

Thank you @OniLink [FR] for the tip, I had the same issue with achievement "final hospital". Your tip with death helped to earn Helios achievement.

[Radec-Helghast]

Can anyone share their 100% achievements save file?

[OniLink [FR]]

Ok I just checked EVERY "in game" achievement 1 by 1 and I was missing the "final hospital" achievement (I had it on Steam...). So I tried entering the bed again. I was able to do it but there was nothing more to do (no cinematic trigger). So I exited the hospital, tried to do a tower run and then died on purpose. When the cycle restarted the achievement unlocked... So when you do the final hospital sequence, restart a tower run to be safe !

[OniLink [FR]]

I just had the last achievement for finishing the abyss byome 100%, got 36/37 achievements but the Helios achievement didn't unlock... I have every tower achievement but I don't have 100% tower exploration. Do I need to do it or is it a bug ?

[Lazy]

So I do not have to level up every weapon and find every single malfunction? Whew

[3kole5]

@derailer: I initially thought that the Aascension achievements weren't needed as well judging by the description but that was before anyone had unlocked it on Steam to begin with. This has been corrected already, with the Helios achievement moved to the conclusion.

[derailer]

Do you get Helios achievement for getting all achievements? I just got all of them except DLC ones and I have not recieved it. An original description says "collect all main achievements" so I was expecting it to pop up

[3kole5]

@Grampire: Those should be added soon.

[Grampire]

Missing "Eyes Closed" and "Empty Embrace" achievements, but great guide otherwise!