From the shadow of a hostile planet, survival hinges on every second... Saros, a third-person action game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, has been available since April 30, 2026 exclusively on PS5. After Returnal, the Finnish studio returns with a new sci-fi adventure that leans on fast-paced combat, intense gameplay, and a hostile universe where every confrontation matters.
Saros unfolds on Carcosa, a lost colony plunged beneath a troubling eclipse. The player takes on the role of Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer determined to track down a mysterious figure. Housemarque describes the title as “a powerful, emotional character study that dives into the cost of forging a new future.” Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher) lends his likeness and voice to Arjun.
On the lost colony of Carcosa, plunged under an eclipse as ominous as it is mysterious, Arjun Devraj sets out to find a person whose disappearance seems tied to the fate of this hostile world. In this unstable environment, every death reshapes his journey, forcing him to adapt, upgrade his gear, and gradually uncover the planet’s hidden secrets.
On the gameplay side, Saros preserves Housemarque’s nerve-wracking DNA, with third-person combat built around rapid movement, dodges, and precision. One of the main changes versus Returnal lies in how progression is handled. Unlike its predecessor, Saros introduces permanent resources and a progression system that lets players keep and upgrade their gear after every death.
Housemarque emphasizes that "each death will be precious", since it will reshape the environment and unlock unprecedented strategic opportunities. This mechanic lends weight to every attempt, while nudging players to adapt to a world that evolves as the match unfolds.
Our take on Saros :
A game the editors got to preview briefly (though we took a little extra time to polish our impressions). Right off the bat, you’re plunged into a fairly intricate, sometimes confusing story (we were a bit lost at first). But as you progress, the pieces start to click. You begin in a base, emerge from a kind of flow as if reborn, with your squad you’re just getting to know. Then you step out and encounter Carcosa and all its dangers.
Return and tips :
Let’s be frank: Saros is a pretty challenging title, especially if you’re not used to this kind of soft. It’s not Elden Ring or anything heroic of that ilk, but the core loop here is death and respawning, starting again from the beginning. It can be frustrating, but Housemarque clearly designed the game with tight, balanced zones—neither too big nor too small—so you can get back to exploring quickly.
Another big plus for the game (and it’ll please newcomers or anyone feeling stuck) is the ability to upgrade your character’s abilities (health boosts, etc.) to make respawns a touch easier—without taking away the challenge. The aim is to push you to progress through adversity, making success taste all the sweeter. We even found ourselves cheering at the TV after roughly 10 hours just after beating the first boss (yes, we’re slow and not exactly masters).
One tip if you’re diving in: don’t fear progress. If you die, that’s part of the plan—study how your foes behave (which energy orbs they shoot and the timing to dodge them), and don’t waste too many upgrade souls, which let you grab better weapons. From there, adapt to the terrain, because adapting to every situation is the point of the game. Also note: the final bosses in each zone have three health gauges (we didn’t realize this at first)... consider yourselves warned.
Have fun!
Saros opens a new chapter for Housemarque, pitching a concept that broadens its approach without erasing what has defined the studio’s identity. From dark science fiction to a reimagined progression and a more embodied storytelling vibe, this new IP could strike a chord with players hungry for an action experience that’s both tense and more enduring. Get your controllers ready!
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