Returnal: Ascension takes Returnal's mechanics back to the developer Housemarques origins of fast paced arcade gameplay. That's not to say that Returnal didn't have that, it's just Ascension is a more streamlined version. Gone is the more methodical exploration in place of pure combat and above all speed. Keeping your score multiplier going, hitting that teleporter as quick as possible for the biggest obolite reward. Just constantly keeping the pace going to aim for new heights. It's all the better for it and at times and absolute thrill. The story parts, cyphers and scout logs are all there to add to the lore of the main game of course. They tend to be in the tower hub or occasional safe room with power ups however to keep the flow going when the action starts.

Along with the infinite tower score attack challenge this free release also added in online co-op for the main campaign. It's a cool mode and how I actually started playing Returnal with a friend but it does have it's limitations. There is this irritating tether that pulls the players together if they get to far apart which with some of the teleporters can yo yo you both till it settles. The game wasn't designed with co-op in mind and the house sequences, some equipment and other things either can't be done or carried over so we were playing through each area at least twice. It's also a little unstable at times with connection issues, when joining it somehow disrupts our private chat every single time meaning we have to mute and unmute our headsets etc.

Despite these few hiccups though the content added here is of a high quality. It's addictive fun and a great compliment to the main title. Now I might go make another run, highest I've reached so far is only phase 4 floor 14....

+ Fast arcade firepower.
+ Free.
+ Adds interesting and creepy new story content.
+ Online co-op....

-...which has obvious flaws due to being patched in after the game was out.