SAROS is the PS5’s next must-play game from the platform’s true masters

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Five years ago, I said Returnal was the first game you absolutely had to play on the PS5. Now, in 2026, Housemarque has done it again with SAROS – another incredibly engaging roguelike. It’s as intense as it is addictive, and easily one of the best exclusive games released for the console so far.

Housemarque has always prioritized fun and engaging gameplay above all else. This focus was evident from their early work like the 1996 game Super Stardust, and continued with their 2021 release, Returnal – their first major, high-budget title after deciding traditional arcade-style games were no longer the way forward.

The spirit of classic arcade games didn’t disappear. Instead of leaving that style behind, Housemarque successfully incorporated its unique touch into a larger, more impressive game than the ones played on older TVs.

The studio’s initial PlayStation 5 game is still considered a top exclusive. After experiencing the beginning of SAROS, it’s clear this new title has the potential to be just as impactful and memorable for this generation of gaming.

Coming back stronger

Since it was first shown in February 2025, the phrase “Come back stronger” has been used with every announcement about SAROS.

That initial statement wasn’t just advertising; it actually guided how the game was made, according to Creative Director Gregory Louden. Housemarque wanted to improve on everything players loved about Returnal, while also making it more accessible to a broader audience. It was, in a way, a chance for the developers to surpass their previous work.

This game is easier to pick up than before, but don’t expect it to be a walk in the park – it’s still very challenging. You’ll die frequently, both from common enemies and powerful bosses. However, that’s intentional – dying is part of the learning process and helps you improve.

Each attempt in this fast-paced, third-person shooter is a fresh challenge and a chance to improve. You’ll discover new weapons and upgrades, learn how enemies behave, and become familiar with the levels. Plus, the world around you will change in surprising ways—we don’t want to give too much away!

The instant-to-instant gameplay is fantastic, as you’d hope from this developer. Housemarque games have a unique feel that’s hard to describe, but the team calls it ‘bullet ballet’ to give you an idea.

There’s a real thrill in dodging enemy attacks and then quickly unleashing a powerful shot that takes down multiple opponents. This feeling is even stronger in SAROS, especially with the new shield. While shields aren’t new to games, this one completely changes how you play.

This shield isn’t just for defense – it’s a powerful weapon. It actually gains power by taking damage, charging up your strongest attack. This encourages you to deliberately take hits instead of dodging, completely changing how you play and making it hard to go back to a defensive style.

Each area filled with tough enemies in Returnal leads to a boss battle, and Housemarque’s bosses are truly spectacular. Even as a veteran of the game, I found my hands shaking after fighting a boss in the SAROS section I previewed – a physical reaction I’ve never experienced at a game demo before.

Dying to start again

You’ll die often in SAROS, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s a key part of learning and becoming more powerful. Each death helps you improve your abilities and knowledge.

When you return to the main area between attempts, you can use your earned resources to improve your character’s stats and unlock powerful upgrades. These improvements can increase your health or damage output, and some special upgrades even give you a chance to revive if you fall.

You can also adjust how challenging the game is in this section, though not with typical ‘Easy,’ ‘Medium,’ or ‘Hard’ settings. Instead, you fine-tune a few different elements. For example, you can choose to get more resources from each enemy, or increase the amount of damage you deal.

While adding positive effects can be powerful, there’s a limit. Eventually, you’ll need to balance those benefits with drawbacks, such as more enemies, slower health recovery, and similar challenges.

While some of the gameplay changes in the new update might seem simple, they actually make the game more complex. For dedicated Returnal players, rest assured – the difficulty hasn’t been reduced. From what I’ve played so far, the SAROS update looks like it will be even more challenging, but it will also offer more ways to overcome obstacles.

A storytelling iceberg

It’s strange, but death can also be the perfect way to truly understand a story. Louden described it like an iceberg – only the tip is visible at first, but there’s so much more beneath the surface.

He explained that players can enjoy a straightforward experience if they prefer, but the game also offers a remarkably complex and layered story. He compared it to an iceberg, with a visible surface and much more hidden beneath.

As I played more, it became clear that the game delivers a strong story. You experience it through audio logs, the fantastic performance of Rahul Kohli as Arjun Devraj, and chats with your crewmates. Unlike the lonely feel of Returnal, SAROS features a much larger and more interactive cast of characters around you.

The story truly begins to unfold when you return to the central hub after each run. Though you can immediately jump back into the action, this space provides a welcome moment to pause and reflect. Similar to Hades, the characters here offer fresh perspectives based on your experiences on Carcosa, the strange planet you’re exploring, and react to your progress.

There’s a lot to explore, and players who want to learn more will find plenty to enjoy. The developers are welcoming to all kinds of players, and those who love a good story will be captivated by the eerie, cosmic horror in SAROS.

Mastery of the PS5

With games like Returnal and Resogun already demonstrating their skill, SAROS further proves Housemarque’s mastery of PlayStation game development.

We initially tested the game on a standard PS5, not the more powerful Pro version. Even so, the visual quality was surprisingly good, and the game ran incredibly smoothly. I didn’t experience any slowdown, even with lots of action happening on screen – things like explosions, particle effects, and character movements all looked great without any frame rate drops.

Housemarque games are instantly recognizable – there’s nothing quite like them. This latest release is their best work yet, offering a truly exceptional experience.

Louden praised the team, calling them exceptional and the project a dream come true. He explained they’re passionate about pushing GPUs to their absolute limits.

The new trailer for Saros showcases how the game utilizes PlayStation 5 features. Players can pinpoint alien enemies using immersive 3D audio, experience enhanced weapon feedback with the adaptive triggers, and benefit from faster loading times to quickly get back into the action. Learn more about this sci-fi shooter!

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) March 18, 2026

Based on early gameplay, SAROS looks set to be one of the most important games of its kind in years. The developers at Housemarque clearly built on what they learned from Returnal, and the result is a truly impressive experience.

The game Carcosa is clearly made with a lot of love and attention to detail. It’s going to be hard to wait until its full release on April 30, 2026!

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2026-03-26 18:20