The Returnal save points exist, but the way they work is not exactly what you would've expected.

For roguelike games, save points are not meaningful often. That said, sometimes developers implement some new saving-progress ideas that try to deliver a less hardcore experience with more flexibility for newcomers.

Returnal uses a new, interesting idea to deliver a challenging but fair experience of a roguelike shooter.

Are There Any Save Points in Returnal?

Yes, there are. Returnal features an auto-save system that saves your progress whenever you get a new skill/upgrade, collect a Sunface Fragment, or defeat a boss fight. These are the only things that you can save in Returnal. Once you beat a boss fight, the game saves it and doesn't require you to beat it again if you die in the midst of your adventure for any reason.

Also, when you receive an upgrade for a skill, you will have it forever no matter how many times you die. The same goes for important collectibles like Sunface Fragments.

returnal healing

That said, the other collectibles like guns or weapons cannot be saved, and if you die, you will lose them instantly. The game also doesn't save your progress on the map. Whenever you die, you will wake up in the same place that you had started the game.

How You Can Stop Playing and Save Your Progress on the Map

If you have progressed really well in the game, but you can't continue playing for any reason, the only way to pick it up where you left off is to pause the game and put the console in the rest mode. Otherwise, you will lose your progression on the map, though the upgrades will be saved. (Thanks, AOTF!)

Returnal is now available exclusively on PS5. You can get the game for $69.99.