New PS5 Exclusive Saros Gameplay Footage Shows Off Crowd Control and Wall Rebound

Sony has offered a deeper look into Saros with the release of a brand-new gameplay snippet. This latest update from the developers is designed to give fans a taste of the frantic action and atmospheric world-building they can expect very soon. The newest footage of Saros emphasizes how players will manage large groups of hostile creatures using a variety of high-tech tools. While many of the game’s deepest secrets are still hidden, these early glimpses confirm that a fast-paced and challenging adventure is just around the corner.

The studio in charge of the project has an impressive track record. Housemarque, the game’s Finnish development team, became a major name for PlayStation owners after the success of Returnal, a game that won over fans with its dark sci-fi setting and intense roguelike difficulty. Since then, the industry has been waiting to see how the developer would iterate on that successful formula for a follow-up.

Saros is the Next Best Thing to Returnal 2

Housemarque’s next game, Saros, has just been announced, and though it isn’t a direct sequel to Returnal it looks like the next best thing.

Exploring the Shape-Shifting Planet of Carosa

While the latest clip is only about 20 seconds long, it reveals a lot about how combat has changed. The footage shows protagonist Arjun Devraj fighting off large mobs of enemies, which is a big shift from earlier teasers that focused on single, giant bosses. One of the more interesting details from the video is the ability to bounce shots off walls and other objects. This “wall rebound” mechanic means the player can hit enemies hiding behind cover or clear out a narrow hallway by filling it with bouncing projectiles. This adds a lot of strategy to the shooting, making the environment just as important as the weapons the player is carrying.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Arjun has access to a variety of high-tech defensive gear to help him survive these intense firefights. For instance, players can activate the Soltari Shield by holding down the R1 button. This shield doesn’t just block incoming bullets; it actually catches them and turns their energy into a resource for the player. Once players have absorbed enough energy, they can fire back with a Carcosan Power Weapon by pressing the R2 button. This powerful blast can clear out whole groups of enemies at once with an explosive burst of energy. Even if Arjun does happen to fall in battle, he has a “Second Chance” ability that lets him use special corruption energy to come back to life one time per run.

Saros is designed to be a roguelite, meaning that while players lose some progress when they die, the character is constantly made stronger over time. To make sure the game is fun for everyone, Housemarque has included “Carcosan Modifiers.” These are settings that can change the difficulty of the game. “Protection” modifiers make things a bit easier for players who just want to see the story, while “Trial” modifiers make the enemies much more aggressive for those who want a real challenge. This ensures that the fast-paced “bullet hell” action is accessible to all types of gamers while still delivering the sci-fi power fantasy the studio is known for.

The release is currently set for April 30, and it will be available only on the PlayStation 5. While many fans were hoping for a PC version, Sony is reportedly doubling down on console exclusivity to ensure people have a reason to buy its hardware. Industry analyst Jason Schreier noted in a Bloomberg report that while multiplayer games might still go to PC, major single-player hits like Saros and Ghost of Yōtei will stay on the PS5. For those who can’t wait to get started, pre-ordering the Digital Deluxe edition of Saros will grant early access to the game two days before the official launch. This special edition also comes with various suits inspired by other massive PlayStation franchises, giving Arjun a look that honors the long history of Sony’s first-party hits.