Spiritual Successor to Returnal, Saros Reminded Me of Dune

Recommended products

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Housemarque’s latest title, Saros, plunges players into the perilous world of planet Carcosa. Following the success of Returnal, a third-person roguelike shooter released last year, Saros offers a new sci-fi adventure where players embody Arjun Devraj, a Soltari explorer tasked with collecting valuable minerals. The mission quickly becomes fatal as Carcosa harbors ancient human secrets and reality-warping eclipses that significantly escalate the danger. Influences of Dune and Elden Ring Saros evokes a strong sense of Frank Herbert’s Dune with its arid environments, gear suited for extreme temperatures, and enemy types like explosive worms. This atmosphere is complemented by a futuristic, decadent aesthetic. The game’s epic scope and fragmented landscapes also draw comparisons to Elden Ring. A Roguelike Approach to Progression Like Returnal, Saros employs a progression system where player death is integral to advancement. Success hinges on learning from mistakes rather than achieving perfection, as players accumulate points and level up through randomized paths.

PlayStation 5’s Saros: A Decadent Dune-Inspired Roguelike Amidst Reality-Bending Eclipses – Graphics, Gameplay, Sound & High Replayability Score

Developed by the Finnish studio Housemarque, Saros features stunning graphics that showcase the capabilities of the PlayStation 5. The game was released exclusively for the PS5 on April 30th. Players assume the role of Arjun Devraj, a Soltari faction explorer on a critical mission on the dangerous planet Carcosa. There, they confront the planet’s deadly nature, marked by ancient mysteries and reality-altering eclipses. While Saros shares a decadent environmental style with Elden Ring, its core gameplay mechanics differ significantly from Soulslike titles. Review Scores: Graphics: 10 Gameplay: 9 Sound: 9 Replayability: 9.5 Final Score: 9.37

In Case You Missed It

In our ongoing quest to keep you informed about all things gaming, we’ve got two fantastic reads for you! First up, Ahmed Hassan’s latest on Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, published May 6th, delves into Ubisoft’s planned updates that are set to revolutionize gameplay. From a revamped parkour system using Anvil engine technologies and enhanced stealth with Edward’s new crouching ability to strategic combat overhauls, Hassan covers it all in his comprehensive article, “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Ubisoft Outlines Updates, Showcasing Gameplay Changes” Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Ubisoft Outlines Updates, Showcasing Gameplay Changes. Meanwhile, Marcus Thompson takes us on an engaging journey through Housemarque’s ‘Test Saros’, published April 28th. In “Test Saros: Less Hardcore Than Returnal, Yet You’ll Still Suffer”, Thompson explores Arjun Devraj’s adaptive shields and strategic combat adventures, offering a more accessible yet still challenging experience Test Saros: Less Hardcore Than Returnal, Yet You’ll Still Suffer. Lastly, Ahmed Hassan returns with another insightful deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, published May 8th. Here, he explores Ubisoft’s modernizing touch, including fluid parkour animations, refined stealth mechanics like social stealth and lenient pursuit missions, and a complete combat overhaul focused on enemy reading and balance in “Ubisoft Details Parkour, Combat, and Stealth Changes in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced” Ubisoft Details Parkour, Combat, and Stealth Changes in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced.