Returnal Guide | How to Use Atropian Key

Here's a guide to using Atropian Key in Returnal.

Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Dec 01, 2025

During your run in Returnal, you interact with many mechanics that may not be clear at first. Among these are the red circular locked gates that halt your progress.

Their description states that they are Xeno-Tech Gates secured by a lock mechanism, and without an Atropian Key, the function of these gates is unclear. Understanding how these keys work is necessary to move past blocked paths.

Returnal, Guide, How to Use Atropian Key

Identifying Locked Gates

When you inspect a locked gate, you see a triangular symbol in the corner of the description. This symbol represents an Atropian Key. If you have one, you can approach the red gate and activate the prompt to unlock it. Without a key, the gate cannot be opened in Returnal.

Returnal, Guide, How to Use Atropian Key

Locating Atropian Keys in Biomes

To find an Atropian Key, move through the biome and search for a purple-blue item on the ground. These keys appear in various locations, and their spots shift from run to run. When a key is present in a room, your minimap displays the pickup symbol.

Follow the icon, look for the purple glow and the rising purple beam, and approach the item. You also see a hologram of the key floating above it, confirming that it is an Atropian Key.

Returnal, Guide, How to Use Atropian Key

Opening Locked Gates

After collecting the key, return to a locked gate and use the Atropian Key to open it. The gate grants access to items or resources waiting on the other side in Returnal.

You can hold more than one Atropian Key at a time. Keeping extra keys allows you to unlock future gates you have not reached yet.

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