Saros, a game coming exclusively to PlayStation 5, has revealed how it plans to utilize the console’s hardware features. Following the release of the third-person shooter Returnal and its positive reception among the gaming community, Housemarque decided to expand upon the gameplay mechanics and narrative style introduced in that game for its followup game. Work on Saros began after Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired the Finnish studio, which reportedly received a budget of tens of millions of euros for its development. The game was officially announced in February of last year year during Sony’s State of Play livestream, and its release date is set for April 30.
Saros is described as a third-person action game that combines bullet hell and roguelike elements. Set on an alien planet, the game’s main features include exploration focused on collecting holograms that reveal the history of the place and the events that happened there, as well as a combat system designed to make players face increasingly difficult challenges. It also features persistent resource and progression systems that allow players to upgrade the main character’s loadout with new weapons and suit enhancements for subsequent playthroughs after each death. In this way, Saros comes across as more forgiving than Returnal, especially since the developers have also announced a “second chance” mechanic that will allow players to continue the battle after their first death on each run.
Studio Behind Upcoming PS5 Exclusive is Hiring for Its Next Project
Ahead of the release of its upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive, a major game developer begins the hiring process for its next title.
How Saros Utilizes the PS5’s Power
Players who can’t wait for Saros to launch have just gotten the chance to learn more about the technical aspects of this title. The latest trailer released by PlayStation consists of gameplay footage accompanied by a list of features that take full advantage of the console’s hardware capabilities. Among them is the option to use headphones with 3D audio, which will allow players to detect enemies before they appear, as well as the use of adaptive triggers to get a better feel for weapons during intense encounters. In addition, the trailer also teases the inclusion of near-instant loading, which will ensure a quicker return to the game after death, and also the use of haptic feedback.
In the comments section below the trailer, players discussed both the features mentioned and the game in general. Some of them expressed particular satisfaction with the use of haptic feedback in Saros, recalling their positive experiences with this feature in Returnal and hoping for an opportunity to make even better use of its capabilities to enhance their gameplay. Others, on the other hand, focused on the graphics, which they felt were significantly better than in the announcement trailer, expressing their excitement about the immersive shots as well as the improved smoothness resulting from faster loading times. Most users have ultimately concluded that Housemarque succeeded in creating an engaging and replayable game with Returnal, and so they hope that, with even greater technological and creative capabilities, the developers will be able to create a title that not only matches but also surpasses its predecessor.
Even before the trailer showcasing the PS5’s technical capabilities was released, Saros was already considered one of the most anticipated games of 2026. As a spiritual successor to Returnal, which garnered praise from critics and players alike for its visuals, combat, audio design, and technical achievements, Saros faces high expectations from the entire gaming community, especially since it will be Housemarque’s first title after being acquired by Sony. Right now, however, both fans who have fond memories of Returnal and newcomers intrigued by the previews of this new space adventure seem pleased with the studio’s work, expressing confidence that Saros will be a high-quality game that makes smart use of available technical solutions. However, whether the hype surrounding the announcement of this game’s release and the praise it has received based on the trailer are justified will only become clear by the end of April, so the gaming community will have to wait a little over a month before making a final judgment.
- Released
-
April 30, 2026
- ESRB
-
Teen / Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
-
Sony Interactive Entertainment
