Just like any rogue-like game you play, you’ll come across a handful of enemies that will make you want to pull your hair out, and Returnal is no different.

Even though Returnal is an overly difficult game to beat, there are still some enemies that made my palms sweat when I approached them. After hours of gameplay, I’ve managed to exploit their weaknesses, assuring my victory more often than not.

Here are 10 of the hardest enemies in Returnal. (No particular order)

10. Strixera

This enemy isn’t super hard to defeat alone, but if you get cornered by a bunch of these guys, you’re in for a quick adrenaline reset. Strixera are flying creatures that shoot a variation of projectiles at you (depending on where you are in the game.

Strixera are simple to kill and they don’t do a whole lot of damage. So, why are they on this list you may ask? Well, it’s because they won’t be your only enemy attacking you. As you try to take out the more viscous enemies, this little blue bastard will be quick to sneak in a few love taps while your back is turned.

How to defeat a Strixera

The best thing to do is take them out first. Whenever I see these guys flying toward me, I jump and dash my way through the room, taking them out before engaging the other enemies.

9. Mycomorph

Mycomorphs are like my Kryptonite in Returnal. I always find myself getting too close and taking damage from their annoying attacks. Learn from my mistakes and be sure to stay away from these fungus-like creatures as they will be quick to capitalize on your overzealous approach to defeating them.

Mycomorphs will send a swarm of green projectiles from their chest toward you. The thing that makes this particular attack so annoying is that their projectiles will home in on your location and bend corners when you attempt to seek cover. On top of all that, these enemies can burrow into the ground and spring up from different locations during battle. All the right ingredients for a sneak attack.

How to beat Mycomorphs

Make sure you are aware of the Mycomorph’s location at all times and take them out quickly. It doesn’t take a lot to stagger this enemy, so when you see them taking a knee to recover, be sure to capitalize and move in for a quick melee attack. When it comes to their green projectiles, be sure to move left or right across the screen (without stopping) to avoid getting hit. Eventually, the swarm will end its pursuit.

8. Titanops

The name explains it best, the Titanops is a force to be reckoned with. This burly alien has the ability to leap across levels and does massive damage whenever it lands a hit. Usually, when you come face to face with a Titanops, you’ll see it beginning to spawn in the middle of the level, indicated by a black and orange mass taking shape. Whenever you see this, it’s your cue to take out all the other smaller enemies before the Titanops fully spawn.

The Titanops has a move for close, mid, and long-range assaults on Selene. Like most enemies in Returnal, whenever you see that orange glow, that’s your cue to get ready to dodge or suffer a major hit.

How to beat a Titanops

The Titanops is pretty fast and strong, despite the fact that’s its one of the biggest creatures you’ll find in the forest and ruins. The biggest asset the Titanops has is also it’s biggest weakness. The fact that it’s such a large creature makes it an easy target for Selene to take advantage of. Be sure to keep your distance and don’t let go over the trigger has you chip away at it’s health bar. Be aware of your surroundings as well, because one misstep can put you at a dead end. Trust me, you don’t want to get cornered by a Titanops.

7. Archonact

The first time you encounter an Archonact will be in the desert area (second biome). The Archonact specializes in long-distance attacks with a wide assortment of different projectiles. Your approach should be different each time, depending on what color projectiles you see forming around its massive head.

The Archonact has large tentacles and takes up a large portion of the level. It will attempt to overwhelm you with a large number of projectiles, capitalizing on any misstep you take. There are times when Returnal will put you face to face with this creature in a very small room. Only the best player will be able to come out unscathed.

How to beat the Archonact

Keep moving and find cover. Seriously, I don’t know how to fight this creature heads up, and that’s probably because it’s not a smart option. Unless you have a projectile shield equipped, you shouldn’t fight this creature in close proximity. Be sure to stay back and keep moving behind walls. If you think you’ve found decent cover, still keep moving. The Archonact’s attacks can bend corners, capitalizing on weak cover.

Oh, and stay back after you kill it, because it will send one last array of red beams your way upon death.

6. The Severed

The Severed is a human-like creature that is slender and moves quickly during battle. Like most enemies, it will get progressively more difficult defeat depending on how far you’ve gotten in the story. The Severed will use its projectiles to draw your focus (some of which will slow you down), before sneaking up with a damaging swipe from its sharp arm.

One thing that makes The Severed so dangerous is its teleportation attack. Players HAVE to time it just right if they want to avoid getting hit.

How to Beat The Severed

The best thing to do against The Severed is to keep your distance. Watch the projectiles it sends your way and dodge when it attempts to teleport toward you. You’ll know when The Severed is trying to teleport toward you when you see an orange mist coming toward you. When this happens, your first thought may be to dodge like crazy, but that’s the worst thing you can do. Be patient, and wait for The Severed to appear, then dodge right before he tries to attack.

Oh, and don’t attempt to melee this enemy unless you know it’s a guaranteed kill.

5. Machina

The Machina is a huge orb that will send a lot of projectiles toward you, the amount of which is only rivaled by a boss battle. There’s not much to say about this enemy except that you must keep your distance and keep moving, as the Machina has pretty much each and every type of projectile variation Returnal has to offer.

How to Beat the Machina

Keep your distance and don’t stop firing. Use everything you’ve learned up until this point and put all your skills to use. Dodge, jump, shoot and find cover as this enemy will try to distract you from all the other enemies in the room. Remember, Selene can’t dodge through dark purple and black beams, so be sure to stay far away from those types of blasts.

4. Broken Automatons

Broken Automatons are enemies that have issues with getting into Selene’s personal space. The legless machines crawl on their bellies using their arms, as they push toward Selene. Broken Automatons have one mission, to self-destruct and conflict fatal damage to Selene when they do so. Don’t think that since they are unable to walk, they’re slow. No, these are machines with unmatched speed and stamina. When you hear the scraping metal approaching your location, get your eyes on the nearest broken automaton fast, and move in the opposite direction.

How to Beat Broken Automatons

Stay back and shoot. Broken automatons have a red circle around them, indicating their blast radius. Stay out of that red circle and shoot them quickly. Use everything in your arsenal to keep your distance and you will find that this enemy is pretty easy to defeat.

3. Drones

Drones are another flying enemy that can quickly end your playthrough by either distracting you from other enemies or using their final charge to take you out. Drones aren’t particularly hard to kill, but they have one move that will have you pulling your hair out. Upon death, they will lose control and explode on anything they make contact with, and usually, that will be you.

How to Beat Drones

Shoot drones quickly and don’t stop shooting when their health bar down. No, be sure to keep firing and moving until they have completely exploded.

2. Automatons

Automatons are the complete versions of their fallen brethren, the broken automatons. These guys aren’t as fast as the broken automatons, but they don’t have to be. They have plenty of projectiles to send your way that makes up for their lack of speed. Oh, and if you get too far from them, they can quickly grab you with their claw, dragging you ever so close to their minigun arms.

How to Beat Automatons

By this point, you should know what to do. Keep moving and shooting. Keep your distance and don’t be afraid of the Automaton’s claw. If you find yourself in its clutches, don’t panic, just quickly dash out of its hands and continue your assault.

1. Turret

Turrets are stationary enemies that shoot projectiles while you’re in the midst of battle. The main goal of the Turret is to distract you, while you fight the other enemies on the level. A lot of times, turrets will have a red shield around them, making them impervious to damage until you get close enough to hit them with a melee attack, thus breaking their shield.

Turrets can be tricky because you can’t attack them until you are in range of their attacks. They will stay underground until you are closer. Until then, they are unable to take any damage.

How to beat Turrents

The best way to defeat a turret is to run up and hit it with a melee attack. Whenever entering a room filled with turrets, take each and every one of them out with a quick swipe of Selene’s red blade. One hit from the blade is usually enough to destroy (depending on what parasites or augments you may have).

For more on enemies in Returnal, be sure to check out our homepage. How do you feel about our list? Let us know in the comments below!