Game Changing Saros Zenith Update Is Finally Available

Housemarque has finally unleashed the free Zenith update for Saros, which is a massive free update that brings a ton of new features into the game, balance updates, as well as a brand-new boss rush game mode. Following its launch back in April 2026, Saros continues to evolve through new post-launch updates from Housemarque, though the Zenith update is easily the most impactful patch that the game has seen to date.

Despite plenty of positive buzz and solid review scores from critics, reports have indicated that Saros hasn’t achieved the level of sales that Housemarque or Sony likely expected. Analysts from Alinea Analytics suggested that Saros sold roughly 300k copies through May, which, at the time, would have been about 30% of the game’s overall budget. Unfortunately, updated sales data hasn’t been provided, but with the Zenith update now available, Housemarque is likely betting that the changes, new features, and added game modes can continue to appeal to both hardcore and the more casual gamers.

After teasing the major Zenith update for Saros at a PlayStation State of Play back in September 2026, the free patch has finally arrived. Available to download completely for free, the Zenith update intends to add even more replayability into the game. The first piece of achieving that is the new Overlord Rush mode, allowing players to essentially jump into a boss rush. Scores are added to a global leaderboard, and there are three versions to participate, including the “Incursion” and “Ascension” Sets, which feature 3 Overlords, while the Totality Set will push players to take down all 8 in one go.

While Saros follows in the footsteps of Housemarque’s other arcadey-style shooter games like Returnal, this Zenith update’s other goal was intended to add new features that would make the game slightly more accessible to hopefully attract more players who may have initially shied away due to the difficulty. This includes an auto-fire option that will cause weapons to shoot at enemies automatically when aimed at. There’s also an option to slow down the game’s default speed, a motion sensor aiming function, and a new High Contract display option. It’s worth noting that these new settings are completely optional, so those who don’t want to lower the challenge can simply ignore them.

​​​​​​​Housemarque has also made big adjustments to Saros‘ Carcosan Modifier system, which allowed players to customize their experience with gameplay changes during runs. The update adds 10 new “Protection” modifiers to give players a leg up on the game’s difficulty, such as empowering melee strikes with Corruption. However, for those that want more challenge, there are also 10 new Trial Modifiers such as Hostile Regeneration, which, as one would expect, heals enemies.

The new modifiers also lead into the New Game + mode known as Eclipse Layers, letting players enter a more dangerous and altered version after clearing the game. New nodes will appear at the Armor Matrix at The Passage, which are used to unlock the next Eclipse Layer. For those who take on the Trial Modifier challenges, they’ll notice that Arjun will be wearing a crown with sparkling golden armor. The more Trial challenges that are active, the more vibrant this effect will be.

Saros Update 2.0 Patch Notes

New Feature – Overlord Rush

• Enter an intense training simulation in which you race to quickly dispatch the powerful Overlords from the main game, competing with friends and players around the world on an integrated leaderboard.

New Feature – Eclipse Layers

• A unique New Game+ mode that can be accessed once the player has cleared SAROS. With each Layer, more Trial Modifiers will be required to start a run…but which Trials you take on is up to you!

New Feature – Crown and Golden Armor

• After entering Eclipse Layer 2 Arjun will be outfitted with a Crown and his Armor will glow golden.
• The splendor of the Crown will grow as your Carcosan Modifier balance increases, so you can show off just how many difficult Trials you can handle!

New Feature – Visions of a King

• Moving to later Eclipse Layers allows you to perceive truths previously hidden. As you wander through Carcosa there are new “Visions” – murals and words from a Yellow King of old etched in stone – to discover and collect.

New Carcosan Modifiers have been added

• A total of 20 new Carcosan Modifiers – 10 Protections and 10 Trials have been added. Half of these are available on the initial playthrough of SAROS and half are unlocked when playing the “Eclipse Layers” New Game+ mode.

New Feature – Carcosan Modifier Mastery

• As you dispatch hostiles with Carcosan Modifiers equipped, you will now gain “Mastery” for those Modifiers. Get enough, and that Modifier will be marked as “Mastered”. Experiment with different Modifiers and see if you can master them all!

New Trophies

• Six new trophies have been added. These are unlocked by playing Overlord Rush, Eclipse Layers, and some of the new Carcosan Modifiers.

New Settings

• Motion Sensor Aiming: Use the motion sensor functionality of the DualSense® wireless controller to aim and control the camera!
• High Contrast Display: The player character and hostiles can now be highlighted with a vivid solid color fill and/or a colored outline, greatly improving visibility.
• Slow Game Speed: The overall speed of the game – including player, hostiles, projectiles, etc., can now be adjusted. This is intended to help players who want to face the challenging bullet ballet of SAROS’s combat, but have trouble keeping up with the fast pace and required reaction time.
• Weapon Auto-fire: The Main Weapon and/or the Power weapon can be set to fire automatically when aiming at a hostile. This can help players who physically have difficulty holding down a trigger for extended periods of time, or simply free up a finger to focus on avoiding attacks.

New Photomode options

• Arjun’s facial expression can now be adjusted in Photo Mode
• Power Weapon visuals on Arjun’s body can now be toggled on/off in Photo Mode

Balance updates

• New Artifact Corruption Effects have been added
• Locked yellow containers now have a chance to drop higher tier Artifacts
• The max tier of Artifacts has been increased, and the drop conditions for different tiers have been adjusted
• The amount of Growth Attributes granted by Artifacts has been adjusted
• The cost of the following Carcosan Modifiers have been adjusted:
  • Protection: Second Chance Overlord
  • Protection: Overlord Restoration
  • Trial: Alpha Hostile Enhancement
• The damage values in the following Modifiers has been adjusted:
  • Protection: Damage Enhancement
  • Protection: Corruption Reduction
  • Trial: Damage Degradation

Systems

Released

April 30, 2026

ESRB

Teen / Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

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