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I’ve been following Housemarque’s journey since their incredible work on Returnal, and let me tell you I’m absolutely hyped for their next project. Saros isn’t just another game; it’s what the developer calls the “ultimate evolution” of their gameplay first approach, and after diving deep into everything we know so far, I can see why fans are calling it a spiritual successor to Returnal.
If you’re like me and have been eagerly waiting for more details about this upcoming PS5 exclusive, you’re in for a treat. I’ve gathered all the essential information about Saros, from its confirmed release date to the fascinating gameplay mechanics that promise to take Housemarque’s signature style to the next level.
Here’s the big news that had me marking my calendar: Saros launches on March 20, 2026. Housemarque confirmed this specific release date during the September 2025 State of Play event, giving us something concrete to look forward to.
What I find particularly exciting is that this puts Saros as potentially the first major PlayStation first party exclusive of 2026. That’s a pretty big deal, and it shows Sony’s confidence in Housemarque’s vision.
Unfortunately, preorders aren’t available yet, but I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for when they open up. Given how quickly Returnal gained a cult following, I have a feeling Saros might be in high demand.
Right now, Saros is confirmed exclusively for PS5, and here’s what I think about the platform situation:
Confirmed Platforms:
What About PC? This is where it gets interesting. While Housemarque hasn’t officially announced a PC version, their previous game Returnal did come to PC two years after its PS5 launch. Given Sony’s current multiplatform strategy, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Saros on PC eventually probably sometime in 2028.
The PS5 Pro enhancements are particularly intriguing. Creative director Gregory Louden confirmed PS5 Pro optimization, though we don’t know the specific details yet. If Returnal’s stunning visuals are any indication, we’re probably looking at some seriously impressive monster designs and particle effects.
I’ll be honest the setting and story premise of Saros immediately grabbed my attention. The game takes place on Carcosa, a shape shifting alien planet currently caught in the shadow of an ominous eclipse. You play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for answers on this lost off world colony.
What makes this even more compelling is the casting choice. Actor Rahul Kohli from Midnight Mass lends his voice and likeness to Devraj, delivering what Housemarque describes as a “grounded” performance. I love seeing recognizable actors bring video game characters to life, and Kohli’s dramatic chops should add real depth to the role.
The storytelling approach sounds layered and mysterious. Beyond traditional cinematics and voice over work, the game features Soltari Holograms that detail what happened on Carcosa as you explore. There are also conversations with various NPCs and audio logs that piece together the planet’s dark history.
Housemarque promises more surreal and mysterious storytelling sequences, but they’re keeping those cards close to their chest for now. The intrigue is definitely building.
This is where Saros really starts to differentiate itself from Returnal, and I’m fascinated by the new mechanics. The core philosophy seems to be rewarding aggressive play, which is a bold design choice that I think will pay off.
The Soltari Shield System: By holding R1, Arjun can absorb energy from lethal projectiles and charge up a Carcosan Power Weapon. Essentially, you’re harvesting your enemies’ attacks and throwing them right back. It’s like a high tech version of “no u,” and I’m here for it.
Power Weapons: Here’s where things get really interesting. Power Weapons transform Arjun’s right arm into an eclipse fueled weapon, corrupting him in the process. It’s literally a double edged sword you get incredible offensive capabilities, but at the cost of corruption. This risk reward mechanic could lead to some really tense decision making moments.
Weapon Variety: At the start of every run, you can select your loadout from a mix of Soltari human weaponry and Carcosan alien weaponry. We’ve seen the Soltari Phosphorous Shotgun in action, and it looks absolutely devastating.
The Second Chance System: Death isn’t the end in Saros. After discovering how to use eclipse corruption energy, Arjun can rise back up on first death and come back stronger. This fits perfectly with the game’s aggressive gameplay philosophy.
Housemarque has always impressed me with their technical prowess, and Saros looks like it’ll continue that tradition. The gameplay footage was captured on PS5 at 60fps using Unreal Engine 5, and even though it’s still work in progress, it already looks phenomenal.
What really excites me is the collaborative approach they’re taking. Nixxes is working closely with Housemarque on key elements of art and gameplay, and anyone who’s seen their optimization work knows that’s a great sign for performance and visual quality.
The audio design is getting special attention too. Two time Grammy Award winning composer Sam Slater is creating a “dark electronic meets drone metal score”. If you’ve heard his work on Chernobyl or Joker, you know we’re in for something special.
One aspect that particularly intrigues me is how dynamic the game world promises to be. Carcosa is described as a shape shifting, hostile alien planet that changes on every death. This isn’t just cosmetic variation it sounds like a fundamental part of the game’s structure.
After every death, you’ll face a changed world, but you’ll be able to choose and permanently upgrade your loadout from an evolving set of weapons and suit upgrades. This progression system addresses one of the common criticisms of pure roguelikes the feeling that you’re not making meaningful progress between runs.
Having spent considerable time with Returnal, I can see how Housemarque is building on that foundation while addressing some of its limitations. The permanent progression system should make the game more accessible to players who found Returnal’s difficulty curve too steep, while the aggressive combat mechanics reward skilled players who want to push forward rather than play defensively.
The storytelling approach also seems more structured than Returnal’s cryptic narrative. While I appreciated the mystery in their previous game, having more concrete story elements and character interactions could help Saros reach a broader audience.
Despite all this information, there are still some key details I’m hoping to learn before launch:
Saros represents exactly what I want to see from Housemarque’s next project a clear evolution of their established formula that addresses previous limitations while doubling down on their strengths. The March 20, 2026 release date gives them plenty of time to polish everything, and the collaborative approach with Sony’s various studios suggests this is getting the full first party treatment.
I’m particularly excited about the aggressive combat system and the way it flips traditional defensive gameplay on its head. If they can nail the balance between risk and reward with the corruption mechanics, Saros could offer some of the most satisfying action gameplay we’ve seen on PS5.
The only real disappointment for me is that we’ll have to wait until 2026, but given the scope and ambition on display, I’d rather they take the time to get it right. After all, Housemarque has earned my trust with their track record, and everything I’ve seen suggests Saros will be worth the wait.
Are you planning to pick up Saros when it launches? Let me know what aspects of the game have you most excited I’d love to hear your thoughts on how it compares to Returnal and what you’re hoping to see from Housemarque’s evolution of the formula.
