Saros More Accessible Than Returnal to Ease Players

Housemarque's upcoming science fiction roguelike, Saros, is designed to be more accessible than Returnal, largely due to direct player feedback. Creative director Gregory Louden explained that the team recognized players "loved what we created, but… wanted to get further." To help players progress, Saros will include features like autosaves, multiple save slots, and the ability to pause the game—something that wasn't available in Returnal at launch. Louden maintains that increased accessibility doesn't mean an easy game. "For us, it's about providing that capability… it remains a very challenging game, but there's also the ability to modify the challenge in some way." Saros will feature procedurally generated levels, art, design, and combat encounters. Development began after the release of Returnal's Ascension DLC. The initial team included Louden, art director Ville Kinnunen (also from Returnal), Henri Mustonen, and Harry Krueger—Returnal's director, who departed Housemarque in 2023. In Saros, players earn experience points during exploration to permanently upgrade the character Arjun Devraj at their base. Players must defeat bosses to unlock further upgrades. Rahul Kohli stars as Arjun Devraj, contributing to the storyline with his feedback. Jane Perry, who played Selene in Returnal, is also part of the cast.

Shorter Runs and Second-Chance Mechanics in Saros, a More Frequent Learning Experience on PlayStation 5

Lead game designer Abebe Tinari noted that runs through a Saros biome will average 20–30 minutes—much shorter than the sometimes hour-long runs in Returnal. Associate design director Mitja Roskaric explained, "It’s a challenging experience, but every time someone dies, we want them to take something away from it… With shorter attempts, I believe it’s easier to gather more lessons frequently. That’s why I think 30-minute sessions are the ideal for this type of experience." The second biome will feature unlockable teleporters to save time on retries. Saros will also include second-chance mechanics (resurrection) and Carcosan modifiers that alter gameplay during runs. Unlike Returnal's initial release—which required completing a single run at once, a limitation later addressed in update 2.0—Saros will offer autosaves from day one. Saros, a PlayStation 5 exclusive, is scheduled for release next month, April, following a minor delay late last year.

In Case You Missed It

As we dive into the vibrant world of PlayStation, Marcus Thompson takes us on a thrilling ride with his latest post, 'Saros Gets New Gameplay Trailer' Saros Gets New Gameplay Trailer. Published March 18th, it's a must-read for fans eager to explore Housemarque's fast-paced PS5 exclusive. Thompson immerses us in Saros' dynamic action, showcasing how the game pushes boundaries with Dynamic Trigger feedback and 3D audio. Meanwhile, Jonathan Dubinski sheds light on Sony's evolving landscape with his comprehensive piece, 'All Studios Closed by PlayStation Since the Launch of PS5', published March 26th All Studios Closed by PlayStation Since the Launch of PS5. This fascinating deep dive explores the eight studios that have shut down between 2020 and 2026, offering insight into the industry's shifting dynamics. And in a recent revelation, Sophie Laurent (Players for Life, March 5th, 2026) explores Sony's strategic shift with her article, "Sony Reversing Course on PC to Safeguard Solo Exclusives, With PlayStation 6 in Sight" Sony Reversing Course on PC to Safeguard Solo Exclusives, With PlayStation 6 in Sight. Laurent delves into Jason Schreier's reports, indicating Sony's move away from simultaneous PC releases for major exclusives like Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War, as they navigate the balance between preserving console exclusives' value and exploring new revenue streams.