Returnal Melee: How to Unlock the Sword

At the start of Returnal you'll have little more than a handgun to defend yourself against enemies. As you progress the story however, you'll unlock permanent upgrades that level the playing field somewhat. Melee is locked off until a certain point in the game, so to make sure you unlock the Atropian Blade sword weapon as fast as possible we've put together a Returnal melee guide. We'll explain how to unlock the sword, and give some tips on melee attacks.

Read More: How to Get Into the House

How to Unlock Melee in Returnal

To unlock melee attacks in Returnal you will need to find the Atropian Blade sword weapon. The sword is found by following the main objectives in the first biome. You'll be asked to destroy a Xeno-tech barrier, and will be lead to the sword. You will not be able to melee before this.

Using Melee Attacks

The sword is an extremely effective weapon in Returnal, allowing you to move in and do huge damage. it is also used to break red shield barriers like those often found protecting turrets. Press square to attack. The Atropian Blade has a short range but very high damage, taking out many enemies in one swipe.

Tips on Using the Sword

To help make sure you'll getting the most out of the Atropian Blade, here's some top tips on using it:

1. Be careful when moving in for a melee attack. You will still be hit by projectiles
2. The third tier of Adrenaline boosts melee damage
3. Prioritise removing any shields in an area before moving on
4. There are certain artefacts and parasites that will enhance melee damage, keep an eye out for them.

So there you have it, that's how to unlock melee attacks in Returnal. For more help with the game be sure to check out our guide on getting past red vines. Elsewhere there's our Returnal Tips guide.