Introduction to how to permanently retain items in "Returnal"
permanent items
Key props: important items obtained in the plot, such as Atropos Glaive, Hook, and Hades Stabilizer
Defeated BOSS: The progress of defeating the BOSS will be retained. You can directly skip the defeated BOSS in the next game without even replaying this map. For example, you have defeated the BOSS of Map 1 and Map 2, but have not beaten it. Map 3, then you can directly run to Map 3 the next time you respawn on Map 1.
Checkpoints after clearing the first act: There are 6 levels in total. Act 1 = Level 1+2+3, Act 2 = Level 4+5+6, Act 3 = Free Exploration + Final Chapter. If you die in the first act, you will be reborn at the initial location of level 1; if you die in the second act, you will be reborn at the initial location of level 4. In other words, as long as you enter the next scene, you will start at a new checkpoint when you die.
Weapon trait unlocking progress: When you find a new weapon, there will be a progress bar above the health bar in the lower left corner. Unlocking progress can be accumulated every time you kill an enemy. Kill 10~15 enemies to unlock level 1 weapon traits. High-level traits will appear after reaching level 5. Each weapon has 2 variants, and what weapon you can pick up and which weapon variant it is are all random. Although weapons are dropped randomly and disappear after death, the characteristics of weapons that have been unlocked will be retained. You may pick up a weapon with the same characteristics next time. Traits will not directly increase weapon damage, but will change the weapon's attack mode and performance, thereby indirectly increasing damage.
Some collections and database entries: investigation logs, files, etc.
Ether: In-game currency, which can be used to activate reconstructors, activate boulders, and remove negative statuses. Carry limit is 30 and very rare
Items that disappear after death/exiting the game
With the exception of the permanent items listed above, all other items disappear upon death or exiting the game. Backing up the save file is useless, because every time you change the save file, you need to close the game. At this time, the game will empty your backpack, and the next time you enter the game, it will start from the initial position. In addition, there is only one checkpoint in level 4 in the game, and there is no way to save it.
HP upgrade (will start with initial HP after resurrection)
Artifact
Parasite
All items in the backpack (all props and consumables held), except plot items
All crafted items
Crafting resources and keys
Weapon proficiency (improving weapon status): After death, the weapon needs to be upgraded from scratch. In the first act, the weapon proficiency level when resurrected is 0; after the second act, the weapon proficiency level when resurrected is 15.
Weapons: After resurrection, there is only one weakest pistol, and other weapons need to be collected again.
Plot progress: After resurrection, you need to restart from the beginning of this scene (but you can skip the BOSS that has been defeated)
Enemy/Item Positions: All enemy and item positions change upon death and are completely randomly generated, so backboarding won't work
The most useful retained content is the progress of defeating the BOSS. You don't have to fight the BOSS again when you come back after resurrection. The checkpoint after passing level 3 (at the beginning of level 4) is also quite useful, at least you don't have to start over from the beginning after the second act. There is no character upgrade mechanism in the game. After death, you will only be resurrected in the worst state. In addition, there is no save function, so you need a lot of patience to complete the level.