Selene, In Returnal, has a mission to find the White Shadow, and Ixion, an angel-like figure with bullet hell attacks, is standing in her way of the truth. Ixion has very layered attacks and can cause many restarts for players. Keeping a cool head and steady fingers with so many projectiles flying towards Selene is vital, along with a few tips and tricks to get through.
Greek mythology has a small part in the naming of the bosses in Returnal, with names such as Hyperion and Phrike. Ixion is no different where the Greek mythological character had a role in creating the Centaurs. There is some synergy between Returnal's version and the mythical version, where both are bound in a prison-type punishment. With Selene stuck in a time loop, it does raise the prison theme again during gameplay. With roguelike elements showing through the endless bullet-hell gameplay, being in a time-style prison takes a back seat to the game's story elements.
How To Beat Phase One Against Ixion in Returnal
The fight against Ixion occurs during three phases, adding another laying on top of the previous phase. Upon entering the boss area, players will see Ixion in the middle of the room secured by chains high up in the air. A cut scene will show Ixion getting free, along with its wings, indicating how the fight will proceed. During the first phase of the battle, Ixion will have a few different attacks where projectiles look like small meteors of either a blue or orange hue.
The blue meteors are specific attacks, while the orange meteors are more AOE attacks in nature. Ixion also has a dash maneuver that releases more orange meteors. During the entire battle, using the Tachyomatic Carbine is the best weapon because of its ranged damage. An easy tactic for the first phase is running around the far edge of the area, staying in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Don't stop moving and keep firing when an opening presents itself between meteor blasts.
How To Beat Phase Two Against Ixion in Returnal
The second phase is easily identifiable as Ixion will launch into the sky and do a diving attack hitting the ground, causing a ring to exude outward. Jump over the ring to avoid any damage and any subsequent rings added to the second phase, along with the first phase's attacks. There is a tell-tell sign for the rings that one of the more damaging rings will occur when Ixion puts a hand into the air and shoots out a light blue beam. Ixion's hand will charge a bit before the attack launches, and the ring will be a larger and higher one than the thin one seen at the beginning of the second phase.
The attack will also have more blue and orange meteors, but they will be in an AOE style seen from the first phase's AOE attacks that Selene can easily dodge. During this phase, Ixion will have a charge attack after Ixion flies into the air, easily avoided by running in a circle just like in the first phase. The attack can sometimes have an added ring that Selene has to jump over, so be ready to hop over to avoid damage. There could be the need to dash around, but for the most part, simply walking around will work, although in this phase, be mindful that a quick direction change might be needed as he can dash in the way and keeping distance is key to this fight. Changing directions will be handy when Ixion is at the far end of the area and launches the blue beam attack. Afterward, a double blast of blue energy gets launched, which is avoided by running in the opposite direction.
How To Beat Phase Three Against Ixion in Returnal
After enough damage, Ixion goes to the third phase, which will start in the same way the second one started. Along with the previous stages, a critical attack to take note of is a charge attack where Ixion will close the distance and slam the ground, causing rings and an AOE meteor attack. In this phase, the rings will be fast and furious, so be ready to jump at any time. Dodging the dash attack will be more of the same circular running pattern but adding in a few jumps to avoid the extra rings Ixion sends out. Keep blasting away while dodging, and Ixion will fall in no time.
Returnal is available exclusively on PlayStation 5