Saros: Returnal's Dark Sci-Fi Successor Arrives

Housemarque, the studio behind Returnal, has released Saros, a new third-person roguelike set in a dark sci-fi universe. Released in 2021, Returnal was a notable early success for the PlayStation 5, leading to Housemarque's acquisition by Sony and the subsequent PC port. Saros mirrors Returnal's core gameplay loop of running, gunning, and dying across multiple regions on the planet Carcosa.

Players will face robots and local wildlife, with combat featuring familiar elements like color-coded projectiles and shielded enemies. Saros introduces active defense mechanics, allowing players to absorb blue projectiles with a shield that also powers a support weapon, and eventually parry red projectiles. Unlike Returnal, consumables are absent, with currency exclusively used for permanent stat upgrades in the hub area.

The game incorporates a suite of difficulty modifiers, though the overall challenge may feel familiar to Returnal players. The "eclipse" mechanic, required to face regional bosses, introduces yellow projectiles that corrupt health and necessitate the use of a power weapon for clearing. This system, while intended to extend gameplay, can feel repetitive.

Saros presents a narrative centered on the mysteries of Carcosa and the psychological erosion of its inhabitants. The cosmic horror elements create a tense atmosphere, but the personal horror story and protagonist Arjun Devraj's motivations may feel underdeveloped compared to Returnal's lead. Housemarque has successfully delivered a gameplay-focused experience, though integrating a cinematic narrative style remains a challenge.