Returnal: Parasites - what are they? Returnal guide, walkthrough
Last update: 23 April 2021
This page of the Returnal guide explains what are the parasites that Selene can find during exploration. We suggest what are the advantages and disadvantages of attaching parasites to the main character's suit. We also inform how to get rid of parasites.
Important information
You will come across the first parasite while exploring the Overgrown Ruins - this will happen at a random moment. This is the only case in which the parasite will automatically attach itself to the main character's suit without giving you any choice.
As for all subsequent parasites, you will have a choice - you can decide to attach it (hold the Triangle) or ignore it.
Finding more parasites is usually a fairly slow process. We can speed it up if we can get to a secret location similar to the one pictured above. Random loot, including lots of attachable parasites, can be uncovered by destroying the purple "flowers". About 3-4 parasites are to be found in a single location of this type.
The most important feature of parasites is that each creature can grant one buff. However, this also comes with one debuff.
Try to choose those parasites that grant useful buffs (e.g. increasing the integrity bar, gaining more loot) and come with the least problematic debuffs. You should avoid, for example, increasing the risk of critical damage to the suit, losing health, or making dashes more difficult to perform.
Selene can have several different parasites attached to her suit at the same time. Their buffs and debuffs will work simultaneously.
While progressing through the game, we may find Murmuring Cocoons - artifacts that enhance the positive effects of parasites. Once you acquire such an artifact, it's worth collecting (within the same cycle) all of the parasites with decent positive characteristics, for example those that lengthen the integrity bar. The advantages may significantly outweigh the disadvantages of attaching the parasite to the suit.
How to get rid of a parasite?
There are three ways of removing parasites. The first method makes the parasite detach itself after performing the related actions. In the example in the attached image, the parasite will detach after killing three enemies.
Certain consumables can help you get rid of parasites:
- The parasite collector in the example in image no. 1 can detach a randomly selected parasite and process it into obolite (the main resource).
- The extermination sphere in the example in image no. 2 can detach all of the possessed parasites.
In both cases, we must remember that some parasites impose a penalty upon detachment, for example, they may reduce Selene's energy bar or cause damage to the armor. This can also happen if we dispose of them with the aid of consumables.
The last method becomes available after defeating the first main boss – Phrike. After that, you will be able to come across a Parasite Extractor. The device also removes a random parasite and processes it into Obolit.