Housemarque, the studio behind PlayStation favourites like Resogun and Returnal, returns with Saros, a fast-paced third-person shooter that combines roguelike structure with relentless action and polished PS5 presentation. In a hands-on playthrough, the reviewer found Saros runs at a steady 60fps on both base PS5 and PS5 Pro, with strong character models and facial animation backing up the core combat experience.
Saros places players in the role of Arjun Devraj-portrayed by Rahul Kohli-an operative from Echelon IV sent to investigate the mysterious planet Carcosa. The story centres on Devraj’s mission to find someone important to him amid a world of secrets and monstrous enemies, with the narrative setting serving mainly as a backdrop for the game’s combat-driven loops.
Gameplay is immediate and uncompromising. Like Housemarque’s 2021 title Returnal, Saros uses roguelike elements-runs punctuated by death and repeated attempts-but swaps some of Returnal’s constraints for a more frenetic flow. There is no stamina bar, so players can dash and shoot without pause, and weapons feature infinite ammo, shifting the emphasis entirely to aim, positioning, and situational awareness.
Combat progression mixes moment-to-moment pickups with long-term advancement. Levels contain monoliths offering weapons and upgrades; each weapon displays a numeric power rating. Some monoliths are locked and require Soltari keys to open, rewarding exploration and survival with better gear and advantages for tougher encounters.
The protagonist gains skills that temper the difficulty: an unlimited dash and a blue bubble shield that blocks many projectiles. Enemies have visible life bars and bosses present multiple large health pools, so engagements can feel drawn-out but fair; most bosses follow patterns the player can learn and exploit.
Saros uses a currency called Lucenite earned during runs. Death returns the player to a home base where Lucenite can be spent on permanent upgrades across armour, power, and skills-effectively a skill tree that makes each run matter. Some branches of the tree remain locked until a boss is defeated, adding a gating mechanic to long-term progression.
Players can also modify run conditions to tune difficulty and rewards. Helpful modifiers can make bosses easier, while harder options increase enemy speed or other challenges in exchange for better loot. That flexibility helps balance Saros’ steep learning curve, though repeated level runs to reach bosses may still frustrate players who dislike roguelike repetition.
Overall, Saros is a demanding but rewarding entry from Housemarque. It refines the studio’s signature high-tempo shooting and pairs it with persistent upgrades that ease the sting of failure. While its difficulty and roguelike loop will not suit everyone, the reviewer preferred Saros to Returnal due to its upgrade system and relentless momentum. Verdict: 8.5/10.
Original Source: https://futurefive.co.nz/story/game-review-saros-ps5-64814cff-ae40-498e-8f24-776dcfcfdb3a
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Publish Date: 2026-04-27 04:00:00
