Returnal's successor, saros, arrives – is it worth the wait?
Five years. That's how long players have been impatiently awaiting a follow-up to Housemarque's critically acclaimed Returnal. The initial release captivated with its blistering blend of arcade action and roguelike mechanics, becoming a PS5 system seller and a benchmark for console exclusives. Now, Saros is here, and early impressions suggest the wait was justified. It’s an experience that, quite frankly, redefines what a PS5 game can achieve.
A lovecraftian descent into cosmic horror
While Saros isn't a direct sequel, sharing aesthetic threads with its predecessor, it's firmly established in a new, Lovecraftian-inspired universe. Forget the alien landscapes of Returnal; Saros plunges players into Carcosa, a name ripped straight from Ambrose Bierce’s unsettling short story, “An Inhabitant of Carcosa.” Bierce himself appears as a character, a nod to the source material that adds a layer of intellectual depth to the game’s lore. Housemarque hasn’t simply slapped a Lovecraft skin on existing mechanics; they’ve meticulously crafted an atmosphere steeped in cosmic dread.
What’s striking is Housemarque’s restraint. They didn’t reinvent the wheel, but instead, honed the formula that made Returnal so compelling. Everything that worked before—the precise shooting, the tight level design—has been refined and amplified with the current generation's hardware. The visuals are stunning, the DualSense controller integration is exceptional, and the overall performance feels like a significant step up from even Returnal's already impressive presentation.
The narrative shifts the focus from Selene’s solitary journey to a more grounded setting. You play as Arjun, one of a group of colonists sent to Carcosa by a corporation to extract a valuable resource called “lucerite.” This shift introduces a narrative hook—a potential romance subplot—that adds a layer of emotional investment absent in Returnal’s more dreamlike atmosphere. While the story unfolds through fragmented scenes, the core mystery of Arjun’s past and his connection to Carcosa proves immediately engaging.
Early gameplay, particularly in the “Abyss Ridge” region, showcases Saros’s relentless intensity. The combination of advanced Technology and rugged terrain creates a challenging yet rewarding experience. The refinements to the core mechanics are palpable: fluid camera control, impeccable performance, adaptive triggers that deliver satisfying feedback, and haptic vibrations that immerse you in the firefights. The jump remains exhilarating, the movement is lightning-fast, and the auto-aim assists players without feeling overly intrusive.
The familiar radar system and minimap return, supplemented by a suite of upgradable artifacts that allow for customization. Three core stats—Authority, Resilience, and Determination—can be improved both during runs and at the main camp, allowing players to tailor their builds to their preferred playstyle. However, progression isn’t linear. Expect backtracking and zone gating, requiring players to defeat bosses to unlock new areas and abilities.
Housemarque has explicitly stated that Saros is designed to be more accessible than Returnal. This translates to passive upgrades, automatic save points, and the ability to retain progress even after death, mitigating some of the frustration that plagued earlier runs in Returnal. A particularly clever addition is the eclipse mechanic, which transforms the map into a darker, more perilous version, but doesn’t force players to replay previously cleared sections.
The initial boss encounter, “The Prophet,” is a brutal test of skill, combining the mechanics players have learned with relentless projectile barrages and frantic dodging. But the addition of a shield, offering temporary protection, balances the difficulty and creates a more strategic, less punishing experience. The sheer variety of weaponry is impressive, with each weapon boasting unique firing patterns and recharge rates. Rapid-fire weapons, while potent, demand careful resource management, showcasing the depth of tactical choices.
The environmental details are breathtaking, from the mesmerizing rotation of clouds around celestial bodies to the granular motion of fluids and the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The soundtrack, composed by Sam Slater, is a masterclass in atmospheric sound design, complementing the visuals perfectly. This isn't just a game; it's a sensory experience.
My expectations were high, and Housemarque has, so far, exceeded them. With whispers of a potential multiplayer mode swirling, the full release on April 30th is something to genuinely anticipate. A comprehensive analysis will follow, but for now, it’s clear: Saros isn’t just a worthy successor to Returnal; it’s a testament to Housemarque’s enduring mastery of the arcade-style shooter.