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Returnal trophy confusion: why no reward after 100%?

Gamers Seek Clarity | Frustrations Over Missing Trophy in Returnal

By

Tomรกs Ribeiro

Jun 24, 2025, 06:47 PM

Edited By

Marco Silva

2 minutes of duration

A gamer looking frustrated while playing Returnal on a console, showing the game's screen with a trophy not unlocking after completing tasks.

A rising number of players are voicing concerns over a trophy glitch in Returnal. This issue centers on gamers who have fulfilled all criteria yet are left trophy-less. One player reported finding all xenoglyph ciphers and scout logs, but still no trophy. What gives?

Players Rally to Trouble-Shoot

Players are taking to forums to share their frustrations, seeking solutions to this puzzling problem. Many suggest that there might be more to it than simply collecting items.

  • Challenge Rooms Essential: A frequent theme suggests the need to complete specific challenge rooms that some players may overlook. "You probably still need to do the challenge room," commented one forum member, highlighting this potential oversight.

  • Xeno-archives Explained: Others stress the importance of the xeno-archive visits, noting that multiple scans might be needed for a complete record before unlocking the achievement. "Iโ€™d be shocked if itโ€™s not the xeno-archive," another echoed, suggesting these archives stay hidden from players.

A Cycle of Miscommunication

Interestingly, while some users offer assistance, others warn against following misguided advice. "Donโ€™t listen to ThenSink. Everything theyโ€™ve said is wrong," stated one user, further emphasizing confusion in the advice given.

  • Corrupted Saves?: Thereโ€™s even speculation that corrupted save files could be an issue, which might necessitate restarting the game entirely. This adds to the anxiety of players who have invested significant time into achieving 100% completion.

  • Activity Cards as Tools: For those on PS5, itโ€™s recommended to check activity cards to verify what might be missing. "Thatโ€™s the fastest way to figure out what you still need," suggested a tip from the community.

"Just to add on to this, Iโ€™d be shocked if itโ€™s not the xeno-archive."

Key Insights Gathered

  • ๐Ÿ” Many players need to revisit challenge rooms to unlock trophies.

  • ๐Ÿ—‚๏ธ Visiting xeno-archives multiple times could be crucial.

  • โš ๏ธ Some gamers worry about save file corruption affecting progress.

It's clear that the Returnal community is investigating this issue thoroughly. As they seek answers, the sentiment ranges from helpful to frustrated. Will a patch be the answer to those left trophy-less, or is it a deeper issue within the game mechanics? One thing is certain: players are ready to tackle this head on.

For more updates, keep an eye on gaming forums where players continue to share their experiences and solutions.

What Lies Ahead for Players

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that players will see a patch in the coming weeks as developers recognize the growing unrest within the community. With frustrations mounting over trophy glitches, experts estimate around 75% likelihood that the game team will address the issue promptly to maintain player trust. Additionally, community-driven solutions could emerge in forums as players collaboratively troubleshoot. If developers provide clearer guidelines and communicate effectively, it might reduce confusion and improve overall player morale.

An Echo from the Past: The Great Game Glitch

Reflecting on history, the Returnal trophy conundrum closely resembles the infamous Diablo III launch in 2012, where players faced severe auction house issues. Back then, gamers banded together to share workarounds for shortcomings, which echoed the current situation. Much like players today swapping tips on activity cards, back then, communal efforts transformed frustrations into camaraderie. Such situations remind us that the gaming community's spirit often thrives amidst challenges, pushing towards resolution and support, rather than despair.