Returnal Trophy Guide Header

INTRODUCTION

Returnal is a third-person action game with both rogue-lite and Metroidvania elements. The game is challenging, and seeing the credits roll will be quite difficult for many players. However, the Platinum will cost you more than double the time it takes to beat the game to farm collectables, and that’s the true test of willpower.

The game is split into two parts: Act 1 (Worlds 1-3) & Act 2 (Worlds 4-6), and you’ll start with nothing but a pistol at the start of each of those acts. Those are the only hard checkpoints in the game, but you also don’t have to beat any boss again after you’ve beat it once before.

If you’d like to know if the game is any good, read our Returnal review.

Trophy Difficulty: 8/10 (closer to 7 for good players or a 10 for those who really struggle to finish the game once.)

  • Estimated Time To Platinum: 40-60 hours
  • Number of Missable Trophies: None

STEP 1: Beat the game for the first time (Act 1 & Act 2) and get the hang of all of the mechanics in Returnal, as well as the six biomes.

If you’re reading this before starting Returnal, make sure you can find Scout Log 09 in your first run before picking up the Atropian Blade. Doing so will drastically decrease the grinding necessary to find it later on.

STEP 2: Collect all the Sunface Fragments and complete the game again to finish Act 3.

For more on collecting the Sunface Fragments after you’ve beaten Act 2, check out this guide.

STEP 3: Begin the tedious journey to find and collect all the Scout Logs and Xenoglyphs needed to finish the Survey trophies related to each biome.

All six biomes in Returnal have a Survey trophy attached to them, and you can track your progress via the PS5 Activity Cards.

Each survey requires you to:

  • Find all the Scout Logs in the level
  • Scan all of the Xenoglyph Ciphers (red alien graffiti on walls)
  • Complete the Xeno-Archive room
  • Find a secret area (yellow orbs show drop-down points)
  • Survive the Containment Room (bright yellow doors, three waves of enemies)

Extra tips:

  • Check the mini-map for Scout Logs (radio-wave symbol) and Xenoglyphs (blue triangles).
  • Most Ciphers/Logs are not behind locked doors (except Biome 5 HUB).
  • Not hidden behind yellow melee doors.
  • Never more than one Cipher per room.
  • If you need weapon tips, see this guide.

Glitched Trophy Warning

Reports say boss, act, survey, and house sequence trophies may glitch. Keep a backup save before completing major acts/sequences. You can re-fight bosses to re-trigger trophies. Also, play online since Activity Cards may not track progress offline.

PATCH 1.4.0

[Update 12/06/21] Patch 1.4.0 addresses Scout Logs not spawning and glitched trophies. Read more here.

RETURNAL TROPHY GUIDE

Helios (Platinum) — Collect all trophies

Unlock all other trophies to earn the shiny Platinum.

Atropian Survival (Bronze) — Learn the basics of survival on Atropos

Unlocks after picking up the Atropian Blade.

Atropian Survival Trophy

Past the Ruins (Gold) — Finish the Overgrown Ruins Survey

Hardest part: finding Scout Log 9. Grind until it appears.

Play

Ascending the Mountain (Gold) — Finish the Crimson Wastes Survey

Trouble spots are three Ciphers near the tower climb. See video for final Cipher.

Play