Returnal Guide | How to Find Shortcuts

Here's a guide to finding Shortcuts in Returnal.

Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Dec 03, 2025

This guide will help you find shortcuts in Returnal and show how you have to move between biomes in each act.

Returnal, Guide, How to Find Shortcuts

Shortcuts Trick

Returnal is divided into multiple acts. Act 1 covers biomes 1–3, Act 2 covers biomes 4–6, and Act 3 repeats Act 1 and Act 2 with a separate condition tied to the secret ending.

Once you reach the second and third biomes in any act, you have to use the shortcut system to return there quickly after a death in Returnal.

Crimson Wastes Route

To return to Crimson Wastes, you have to get the Crimson Key. After you defeat Phrike, any Crimson Gateway that appears in later cycles lets you move back to Crimson Wastes immediately.

These gateways appear on the minimap as a rectangular doorway with a ring on top, and you have to walk through them to reach the biome.

Returnal, Guide, How to Find Shortcuts

Derelict Citadel Route

To return to Derelict Citadel, you have to defeat Ixion and pick up the Icarian Grapnel. With the Icarian Grapnel, you have to grapple across the gap found in Overgrown Ruins.

The grappling point lets you cross to the large stone doors that open when you approach. You have to move through this passage to reach Derelict Citadel in Returnal.

Fractured Wastes Route

To return to Fractured Wastes, you have to open the Echoing Vault in Echoing Ruins at least once. After this is done, you do not have to collect the keys again.

On later runs, you have to move straight into the vault and follow the path to the Fractured Wastes Gateway.

Returnal, Guide, How to Find Shortcuts

Abyssal Scar Route

To return to Abyssal Scar, you have to find the Hadal Ballasts. Once you have them, you have to enter any whirlpool that leads directly to Abyssal Scar. These whirlpools appear in the Echoing Vault and in the hub area of Fractured Wastes, and using any of them takes you to the biome without extra steps in Returnal.

Also, check our Returnal Review and other guides below: