The Long Return is a running and jumping game where you guide an orphaned cub on a journey to retrace the steps of the last adventure that he went on with his mother. Throughout the game, you solve puzzles to progress and learn more about the cub's story.

In The Long Return, you travel different zones with puzzles of increasing difficulty. Along with exploring and jumping, the puzzles involve moving blocks to get to the exit or guide the cub through an area or avoid environmental hazards such as boulders or falling in the water.

Throughout the journey, there are diamonds placed in your path or hidden in objects such as piles of snow, flowers, or different types of wildlife. The diamonds you find act as a currency to buy hints for the puzzles. As you retrace the steps of the cub's mother, you encounter their memories in the form of holograms that tell their story. These guide you to the next area where new puzzles are introduced.

The Long Return has little to no stressful moments so you are carried through the game solving the puzzles, exploring the scenery, and learning about the orphaned cub's story. It's a good way to dip a toe in the world of adventure platform games.