Does Returnal support ray tracing on PC?

Yes, the PC version of Returnal supports ray tracing on compatible Nvidia and AMD hardware, enabling more realistic reflections and lighting. Enabling ray tracing will noticeably impact performance and is best paired with a GPU at or above the RTX 2080 Ti / RX 6800 XT tier.

Why is an SSD required to play Returnal on PC?

Returnal's fast-paced roguelike design demands nearly instant respawns and rapid loading of complex environments. The game's asset streaming system relies on the high read speeds of an SSD; using a traditional hard drive is not supported and would cause stuttering, long load times, or crashes.

Can I Run Returnal on RTX 4070?

Returnal FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070Game: ReturnalUpdated: Apr 26, 2026

Yes, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 can run Returnal. Expect roughly 64 FPS at 1080p high — smooth for most players. Wondering if NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is enough for Returnal? This benchmark estimate focuses on real-world 1080p high performance, then scales to 1440p behavior.

Returnal FPS Benchmarks on RTX 4070

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	80 FPS	53 FPS	Good
1080p	High	64 FPS	43 FPS	Playable
1440p	High	48 FPS	30 FPS	Playable
1440p	Ultra	36 FPS	23 FPS	Low
4K	High	30 FPS	18 FPS	Low

Benchmarks are estimated by our performance engine. Actual results may vary.

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Best Settings for Returnal on RTX 4070

64+FPS1080p Competitive

Display Mode: Fullscreen
Resolution: 1920×1080
V-Sync: Disabled
Texture Quality: Medium
Shadow Quality: Medium
Anti-Aliasing: FXAA
Effects Quality: Medium
Post-Processing: Medium
Ambient Occlusion: Disabled

Performance Analysis

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is estimated around 64 FPS at 1080p high in Returnal. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 48 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the high tier for this title, with a playable experience profile. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 can run Returnal reliably, but smart setting choices matter for consistency.

Returnal is a visually demanding roguelike third-person shooter built on Unreal Engine 4, featuring highly detailed environments, large particle effects from its bullet-hell combat, and rapid scene transitions that stress both CPU and GPU. The game requires an SSD due to its seamless, fast-paced gameplay loop and quick respawn cycles that rely on rapid asset streaming. Ray tracing support and high-fidelity lighting push the recommended GPU tier significantly higher than the minimum.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 supports DLSS 3 with Frame Generation in compatible titles. In games like Returnal that support it, Frame Generation can push perceived frame rates well beyond the base estimate above — particularly useful at 1440p where the GPU is more heavily loaded.

Use a medium/high mix and prioritize stable frame times over peak FPS spikes.
Use selective ray tracing (shadows/reflections) and avoid ultra RT presets.
Prioritize texture quality and reduce volumetrics/shadows first

Overall, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 delivers a playable experience in Returnal — use the tips above to get the most out of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Returnal support ray tracing on PC?: Yes, the PC version of Returnal supports ray tracing on compatible Nvidia and AMD hardware, enabling more realistic reflections and lighting. Enabling ray tracing will noticeably impact performance and is best paired with a GPU at or above the RTX 2080 Ti / RX 6800 XT tier.
Why is an SSD required to play Returnal on PC?: Returnal's fast-paced roguelike design demands nearly instant respawns and rapid loading of complex environments. The game's asset streaming system relies on the high read speeds of an SSD; using a traditional hard drive is not supported and would cause stuttering, long load times, or crashes.