The Obolites in Returnal, the popular computer game, serve as the primary currency used by players to purchase various items and upgrades throughout the game. Players gather these Obolites by defeating enemies and exploring the game world.
Introduction
In the world of Returnal, obolites play a crucial role in the gameplay mechanics. These radiant, shimmering blue-purple orbs serve as the primary currency within the game. Obolites can be collected by the player throughout each cycle in Atropos, the mysterious alien planet where the game is set.
Obolites as Currency
Obolites serve as the currency that allows players to purchase various items and upgrades within Returnal. These valuable orbs can be exchanged at Fabricators or various vending machines scattered across Atropos. Players can spend obolites to acquire consumables like health packs, weapons, artifacts, or even unlock new items that can greatly enhance their chances of survival in the game.
Upgrades and Enhancements
One of the key functions of obolites in Returnal is their role in enabling players to enhance and upgrade their weapons, equipment, and overall capabilities. By spending obolites, players can unlock permanent enhancements that carry over between cycles. These upgrades can include increased weapon damage, improved weapon proficiency, increased health capacity, and other vital improvements that can significantly impact the player's progress and survivability.
Risk and Reward System
Collecting obolites in Returnal involves a risk and reward system that adds depth and strategy to the gameplay experience. Players must decide whether to push further into dangerous areas to gather more obolites or play it safe and return to the safety of the Helios crash site to bank their collected currency. The more obolites a player collects without dying, the higher the reward in terms of potential upgrades and enhancements.
Death Mechanic
When the player dies in Returnal, they lose all the obolites they had collected during that cycle. However, a portion of the lost currency is converted into a new form called Ether, which acts as a persistent currency that can be used to unlock permanent upgrades. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy and decision-making to the game, as players must weigh the risk of losing obolites against the potential long-term benefits of collecting Ether.
Exploration and Discovery
Obolites also play a crucial role in incentivizing exploration and discovery in Returnal. Players are encouraged to venture into uncharted territories, take on challenging enemies, and uncover hidden secrets to collect more obolites. The lure of these valuable orbs drives players to push the boundaries of their exploration, leading to the discovery of new weapons, artifacts, and upgrades that can further enhance their gameplay experience.
Conclusion
In summary, obolites in Returnal serve as the lifeblood of the game's progression system. From acting as currency for purchasing items and upgrades to incentivizing risk-taking, exploration, and discovery, obolites play a multifaceted role in shaping the player's experience on Atropos. Their strategic importance, combined with the risk-reward dynamics they introduce, makes obolites a central and indispensable element of the gameplay in Returnal.