Housemarque has unveiled Saros, the eagerly anticipated successor to their 2022 roguelite shooter, Returnal. Featuring Rahul Kohli, Saros is set to launch in 2026 exclusively for the PlayStation 5, with enhancements tailored for the PS5 Pro.
Showcased during the recent PlayStation State of Play, Saros exudes the quintessential Housemarque style. Players will step into the shoes of Arjun Devraj, a Solatri enforcer on a quest for truth on a treacherous, ever-changing planet. This world is shrouded in the mystery of an eclipse and home to at least one formidable entity. The theme of "coming back stronger" resonates with the roguelike genre, while the visual flair of cascading fireballs harks back to Housemarque's signature bullet-hell gameplay.
Creative director Gregory Louden describes Saros as the "ultimate evolution" of Housemarque's gameplay-centric approach. While it introduces a fresh single-player IP, it builds upon the foundation laid by Returnal's third-person action mechanics.However, Saros is not merely a repeat of Returnal. According to a post on the PlayStation Blog by Louden, a significant gameplay difference lies in the introduction of permanent resources and progression. In Saros, although the world transforms with each player death, players can permanently enhance their weapons and suits, adding a new layer of strategy and progression.
Housemarque promises more details later this year, with plans to unveil an extended gameplay demonstration.
To catch up on all the announcements from today's PlayStation State of Play, don't miss our comprehensive recap.