Saros: A Substantial Video Explaining Gameplay

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Housemarque, the Finnish studio behind the 2021 hit Returnal, will release Saros, a new narrative action game exclusive to PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, on April 30, 2026. A new trailer shown during the State of Play event reveals that Saros will offer a more accessible progression system than Returnal. In Saros, players control Arjun Devraj, portrayed by Rahul Kohli. The game centers around the Passage, a Carcosian temple serving as a central hub where Arjun and the Echelon IV crew return between expeditions to Carcosa. There, they converse with companions, delve into the story, and prepare for the next run. Saros also features a World Dial Teleportation system for fast travel. Each time Arjun attempts a run, Carcosa becomes more corrupted, altering the biomes. For example, in the Impure Marshes, water turns scorching hot, and enemies fire corrupted yellow projectiles that reduce maximum integrity. The game also includes a Carcosian Modifier system that lets players adjust the difficulty. Beneficial modifiers include reduced damage, easier reloading, and more generous shields, while demanding modifiers feature more aggressive enemies, energy depletion over time, and the removal of second chances.

Saros: A New Narrative Action Game with Accessible Progression and Personalized Armor

Unlike Returnal, Saros emphasizes accessibility. Players gather resources—Lucenite and Euphoron—during eclipse cycles to unlock permanent upgrades via the Armor Matrix. Primer, a Soltari-developed AI, manages the Armor Matrix. These upgrades include improved shields and increased damage resistance, offering a less punishing progression system than Returnal. Saros allows players to personalize their armor to suit their play style. Moreover, the game includes a teleportation feature that allows players to return directly to previously unlocked biomes from the Passage, eliminating the need to replay the entire course to reach a specific objective. Additionally, primary weapons and energy sources are retained after death, so players will restart with weapons like the Soltari Pump-Action Shotgun or other Carcosian weapons they have acquired. Saros is now available for preorder on the PlayStation Store. It remains to be seen if its unique blend of roguelike elements and narrative depth will resonate with a wide audience or carve out a niche among hardcore gamers when it releases on April 30, 2026.

In Case You Missed It

While we’re still buzzing from the latest State of Play event, two insightful articles have caught our eye that you won’t want to miss. Firstly, Bruno Pferd’s ‘Sony’s State of Play: But What Do You Really Think?’ (published on 2026-02-14) digs deep into over an hour of trailers and announcements, examining hits like God of War: Sons of Sparta and newcomers such as Project Windless. Meanwhile, Carlos Mendoza’s ‘Saros Showcased in New Trailer at State of Play’ gives us a sneak peek into Housemarque’s latest masterpiece, revealing the innovative eclipse amplification system and setting Saros apart from traditional roguelikes. And if you’re eager to try out some innovative co-op experiences on PlayStation Plus Essential this February, check out Bruno’s article ‘Big Walk Arrives on PS Plus Essential at Launch Day’, which explores Housemarque’s promising cooperative adventure game set in an open world full of puzzles and creative communication challenges. Dive into these exciting reads here Sony’s State of Play: But What Do You Really Think? Saros Showcased in New Trailer at State of Play and here Big Walk Arrives on PS Plus Essential at Launch Day.