Sony

How many copies did Returnal sell?— 2024 statistics

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Fact-checked
Release Date
April 30, 2021
Genre
Third-person shooter
Developer
Housemarque
Publisher
Sony

Returnal, developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, has quickly become a standout title in the third-person shooter genre. The Returnal statistics reveal impressive market performance and strong player engagement. The game has sold hundreds of thousands of copies on both PlayStation and Steam, contributing significantly to its revenue. Returnal sales figures highlight its financial success, bolstered by its availability on PlayStation Plus and positive critical reception. The game’s challenging and immersive gameplay continues to captivate a dedicated player base, ensuring its lasting impact in the gaming community.

Returnal sold over 1.1 million copies.

(Source: GamingBolt, NeoGAF, VG Insights)

  • Returnal has sold over 560,000 copies within its first two months of release on PlayStation 5.
  • ​Over 1 million units shipped, 866,000 units sold through.
  • Returnal had poor PC performance with around 200 units sold on Steam.

Returnal has experienced a varied performance across different platforms. The game’s strong initial sales on PlayStation 5 reflect its appeal to console players and its capacity to capture early interest. However, the game’s performance on PC has been notably weaker, indicating potential challenges in appealing to the PC gaming audience. The discrepancy between shipped and sold-through units further highlights the difference in reception between platforms. Despite these challenges, Returnal’s overall sales figures underscore its success and popularity in the gaming community.

Returnal has generated an estimated $9 million in revenue on Steam.

(Source: VG Insights)

  • The combination of initial high sales and ongoing interest has ensured a steady revenue stream for the game.
  • Besides its sales on PlayStation and Steam, Returnal has benefited from its availability on PlayStation Plus, which has added to its overall revenue through subscription service agreements​.

Returnal has seen steady revenue growth, primarily due to its strong initial sales on PlayStation and ongoing player interest. Despite facing challenges on the PC platform, the game has maintained a consistent revenue stream, thanks in part to its inclusion in PlayStation Plus. This diversified approach to monetization, encompassing direct sales and subscription services, has ensured that the game continues to generate income, highlighting its broad appeal and strategic market positioning.

Returnal had an all time peak of 6,643 concurrent players on Steam.

(Source: Steam, Steam Charts)

  • The overall review score for Returnal is Very Positive.
  • 81% of 3,981 user reviews being positive.
  • Average play time is around 13 hours.

The game maintains a “Very Positive” overall review score, with a majority of user reviews being favorable. This level of player engagement and satisfaction underscores the game’s quality and appeal, even though its performance on PC has had some challenges. The average playtime further indicates that players are highly engaged, spending considerable time exploring its complex and immersive world.

Sources

  • “Returnal has sold around 560,000 copies”. NeoGAF, 2021, https://www.neogaf.com/threads/returnal-has-sold-around-560-000-copies.1614261/
  • “Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart Has Sold Over 1.1 Million Copies, Returnal Crosses 560,000 Units”. GamingBolt, 2021, https://gamingbolt.com/ratchet-and-clank-rift-apart-has-sold-over-1-1-million-copies-returnal-crosses-560000-units
  • “Demon’s Souls Remake Has Shipped Over 2 Million Units, Returnal at 1 Million”. GamingBolt, 2023, https://gamingbolt.com/demons-souls-remake-has-shipped-over-2-million-units-returnal-at-1-million
  • “Returnal™”. Steam Charts, 2024,
  • “Returnal™”. Steam, 2024, https://store.steampowered.com/app/1649240/Returnal/