Housemarque has unveiled Saros, the much-anticipated sequel to their 2022 roguelite shooter, Returnal. Set to launch in 2026 exclusively for PlayStation 5 and enhanced for PS5 Pro, Saros promises to captivate players with its engaging narrative and intense gameplay. The game stars Rahul Kohli, who takes on the role of Arjun Devraj, a Solatri enforcer on a mission to uncover truths on a perilous planet characterized by a haunting eclipse and the presence of at least one formidable entity.
Showcased during the recent PlayStation State of Play, Saros unmistakably bears the hallmark of a Housemarque creation. The game's atmosphere and the phrase "come back stronger" resonate with the essence of roguelites, while the visual of spreading fireballs harks back to Housemarque's signature bullet-hell style. Creative director Gregory Louden describes Saros as the "ultimate evolution" of Housemarque's gameplay-centric approach, marking it as a new single-player IP that builds upon the foundation laid by Returnal.
Despite similarities, Saros introduces significant gameplay distinctions. According to Louden's post on the PlayStation Blog, the game features permanent resources and progression systems. While the world of Saros shifts upon the player's death, players can now permanently upgrade their weapons and suits, adding a new layer of strategy and depth to the gameplay experience.
Fans can look forward to more details later this year, as Housemarque plans to unveil an extended gameplay demonstration. For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from the PlayStation State of Play, be sure to visit our recap.
