Unreturning

About Unreturning

Unreturning is a single-player indie RPG that blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative-driven gameplay. Developed by cursedcat and released in October 2025, it’s set in a mysterious abyss where every journey down ends with a return, except this time. Players navigate shifting environments, figure out cryptic lore, and make choices that shape their experience. The game prioritizes atmosphere and discovery over combat, with a focus on environmental storytelling. Think of it as a slow-burn puzzle adventure where the act of descending matters more than reaching the bottom. Ideal for players who enjoy engaging, narrative-rich worlds and don’t mind a deliberate pace.

Gameplay

In Unreturning, you spend most of your time exploring procedurally generated caverns, solving logic-based puzzles to progress deeper. Each level is a self-contained maze requiring observation and experimentation, like aligning glyphs or manipulating gravity to open paths. RPG elements come through in a passive skill tree that unlocks abilities as you collect fragments of lore. The single-player campaign is linear but reactive; choices like which secrets to uncover or paths to take alter dialogue and environmental cues. Controls are intuitive, with mouse-driven camera and keyboard navigation. Sessions often involve backtracking, which feels less like repetition and more like recontextualizing earlier clues. The lack of combat keeps tension low but emphasizes curiosity.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 4.2/5, with 85% completion rates among finishers. Average playtime is 15, 20 hours, though 30% of players abandon it before halfway, citing slow pacing. Moods are split: 60% “curious,” 25% “frustrated,” and 15% “nostalgic.” Review snippets praise the “dreamlike atmosphere” and “puzzles that reward patience” but critique “repetitive backtracking.” Critics on Metacritic average 82/100, highlighting strong visuals and storytelling but noting a lack of mechanical variety. Achievement hunters report 45 total trophies, with 10 requiring full lore collection.

PlayPile's Take

Unreturning is a niche pick for players who value existential storytelling and don’t mind a lack of urgency. It’s not a game you’ll rush through, but its deliberate design and atmospheric depth make it rewarding for those who embrace its rhythm. At $29.99, it’s reasonably priced for its length, though the $5 achievement unlocks might feel tacked on. Skip it if you prefer fast-paced action or clear objectives. But if you’re into figuring out mysteries at your own pace, it’s a worthwhile descent.

Storyline

An adventure where the journey matters more than the destination. Everyone who ventures into the depths always returns... but what if this time was different? Descend into the abyss, uncover its secrets, and make your journey unforgettable.