Returnal PC Controls Guide: Hotkeys and Keybindings

by Mike Alexander / Articles, Game Controls & Hotkeys, Misc. Guides / 16 Jun 2022

A mysterious distress call coming from an even more mysterious planet, a subsequent crash landing, and an inhospitable world full of alien menaces. This is not just someone’s nightmarish fever dream, this is Returnal, a roguelike third person shooter from the masters of twin-stick mayhem at Housemarque.

In Returnal, players take control of an intergalactic explorer named Selene as she dashes, jumps and shoots her way to the center of a strange alien planet called Atropos. Selene is only human and these alien creatures that want her off their home can take her apart in just a few hits. Add to that waves upon waves of bullet hell style projectiles and you have a recipe for a super tough, incredibly challenging video game.

And believe me, Returnal will definitely push your buttons. This game takes no prisoners, and if you are not on your game at all times, you will be restarting more often than you are probably comfortable with. There is no exemption for the hard work you need to put in to develop the skills Returnal requires, but you can at least make sure you know all of the game’s controls.

Especially thanks to this Returnal PC controls guide: hotkeys and keybindings. There are plenty of complex combat encounters to deal with in this one, so make sure you have critical functions like perfect reloads and dodges memorized. For everything else, keep this guide open and reference it when you get flustered in a fight, because that WILL happen. A lot.

Keyboard Controls

Movement

Move Forward: W

Move Back: S

Move Left: A

Move Right: D

Jump: Space

Dash: Left Shift

Hookshot: E

Combat

Fire: Left Mouse Button

Alt-fire: Q

Focus Aim: Right Mouse Button

Melee: Middle Mouse Button or F

Use Consumable 1: 1 or X

Use Consumable 2: 2 or C

Use Consumable 3: 3 or V

General

Game Menu: ESC or P

Interact: E

Suit Computer: TAB or M

Area Scan: T

Nominate Consumable: R

Toggle Extended HUD: Z

Photo Mode: G

Ping: ALT

Gamepad Controls (Sony Gamepad/DualShock)

Movement: Left Stick

Sprint: L3

Aim: Right Stick

Area Scan: R3

Focus Aim/Alt-fire: L2

Use Consumable: L1

Fire: R2

Touchpad: Suit Computer

Interact: Triangle

Jump: X

Melee: Square

Dash: Circle

Photo Mode: D-Pad Up

Switch Consumable Right: D-Pad Right

Switch Consumable Left: D-Pad Left

Toggle Extended HUD: D-Pad Down

Mike Alexander

Mike has been playing video games since he was able to hold a controller, having been fascinated by Sonic 2 on his mom’s Sega Genesis. That fascination and passion for the art form has grown exponentially nearly 30 years later, and he doesn’t see that fading away anytime soon.
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