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Saros is a new sci-fi action-driven adventure from Housemarque, the creators behind 2021's Returnal. The new single-player IP was first revealed during the February State of Play 2025 showcase, and now the new game is finally here. And, the good news is that the wait was worth it because it is fantastic.
The game sees you take on the role of a Soltari Enforcer known as Arjun Devraj, and players can expect to explore a haunting, emotional story as we navigate the curious shape-shifting planet of Carcosa. We won't get into too many spoilers here, but the title is a stylish one, and keeping that in mind, it may not be to everyone's taste either. So before you grab your wallet, we've made a handy guide about everything you need to know about one of our personal picks for the best sci-fi games of 2026.
Saros release date and reviews
Saros came our way on April 30, 2026, for PS5 and PS5 Pro. And so far, reviews have been largely positive.
At the time of writing, it has a Metacritic score of 88, and we gave it a glowing 4 stars in our own Saros review. Common criticisms about the game are mainly to do with its story and certain plot points. However, folks have also largely praised its fast-paced gameplay and world-building.
I will say that Retrunal fans will likely love this one. As our Guide's Editor Joel Franey writes in his review, "while Saros can't help but exist in the shadow of what came before and invite comparisons that aren't always to its benefit, this is still Housemarque doing what it does best."
Saros platforms
So far, the only platforms that you can play Saros on are PS5 and PS5 Pro.
That's right, it's a new PS5 exclusive! While some PS5 exclusives have eventually made their way to PC, such as Death Stranding and The Last of Us, we're still uncertain if we can expect to see Saros get the same treatment.
It may become another Bloodborne, which still hasn't made a PC appearance for years now. Returnal did come to PC, so hopefully Housemarque's new game also follows suit.
Saros trailer
There have been a ton of Saros trailers. However, the gameplay overview trailer above is, in my opinion, the best one. The clip not only shows us bits of the story, but also goes into deeper detail on the gameplay loop, focusing on how Saros has evolved on Returnal's similar mechanics.
It highlights the "come back stronger" feature that has Arjun able to grow more powerful between runs, and the "Eclipse" that alters each biome he fights through to have stronger enemies and upgrades at greater risk. Definitely worth a watch to see everything in action!
Saros setting and story
As per Housemarque's website, Saros follows the "haunting story of a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse." You'll play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer who is desperately searching for someone in particular. The problem is that time on the "shape-shifting planet" is also messed up. While he might be away from his crew's base of operations for a short time on each run, days may pass for his coworkers.
In the cinematic trailer, we hear Arjun's actor, Rahul Kohli (of Midnight Mass fame), say the lines: "Every time the sun dies, madness reigns. Then everything begins again. But after every death, I always come back stronger." As a monster emerges in the teaser, Arjun then says a very clear message to an unknown person. "I know that you are here, and I will find you."
There's life on Carcosa, but it's home to a fallen civilization, with plenty of lore that Arjun can uncover if you stop to explore. Learning more about the Cult of the Eclipse that was core to Carcosian way of life. Murals, audio logs, and more will add dimension to the mysteries, while also leaving some room for interpretation. Arjun isn't alone, and speaking with crew members at his operating base and beyond can also add depth to the understanding of the story as he explores.
If you want a deeper dive into spoilers, you can head on over to our guide breaking down all the Saros endings next.
Saros gameplay
Described as "gameplay first" by Housemarque, this is where Saros really sings. With a similar structure to Returnal, this is a third-person shooter action roguelike that has Arjun setting out across multiple days to push deeper into Carcosa across multiple biomes. While he can power up between runs, Arjun loses gear upgrades and power-ups between each expedition, and the handcrafted chunks of levels are re-assembled and randomized through each run.
Saros' definitive power is the defensive Soltari Shield, which can be used by holding R1 to protect Arjun from damage, while also absorbing certain projectiles to convert back into power. Fully holding down the L2 adaptive trigger when overcharged allows the use of a special power weapon as well. Using the shield uses up energy, but sucking in enemy bullets can charge it up more than the amount used, which is how you get to use those powerful, overcharged shots. Blue enemy bullets can be safely sucked up, but corrupted yellow bullets will temporarily reduce Arjun's maximum armor to do so – restored and purged once you actually use the energy for a blast.
Like in Returnal, you'll be uncovering more powerful gear as you progress. Exploration is clearly marked, so you can focus on moving towards the main objective or exploring small side areas to get your mitts on further upgrades. Stats can be boosted, and different guns and power weapons acquired, across both Soltari and Carcosian in origin. Guns have alt-fire modes, from a shotgun that can be altered between a horizontal or vertical spread, or a high-impact pistol that can remove its auto-fire in exchange for removing the fire-rate cap – just mash that fire button.
All of the above is modified by The Eclipse, a world state you can activate partway through each biome (exactly when varies from level to level). This lunar phenomenon breathes new life into each area, such as a quiet, dead factory whirring to life, pistons opening up new paths and activated lasers adding new dangers. During the Eclipse is when enemies mix in corrupted bullets. It also means Arjun can find more powerful drops across weapons or stat boosters, but often with a cost – such as introducing fall damage or weakening him when he remains stationary too long.
Where Returnal featured very long runs each time, with little time to catch your breath, Saros is designed around 30-minute-long play sessions. You can return to The Passage homebase for upgrades after each area, and also teleport directly to later zones (though you can still run them back-to-back if you want).
If you want some more helpful gameplay tips, we have guides on the best Saros weapons and all the Saros attributes and stats explained as well.
Saros price
There are multiple editions of Saros that you can buy. However, both will cost you a pretty penny.
The standard edition for the game is going for $69.99/£69.99, while the deluxe edition will cost you $79.99/£79.99. If you pick up the deluxe edition, you'll get the game along with a bunch of goodies, such as several armour sets.
The good news is that you can also decide to upgrade later if you are unsure about the deluxe edition straight off the bat. You'll be able to get all the extra content for $10 as an add-on if you want it at a later date. So don't worry too much about which edition to get before you've had a chance to get a feel for the title.
For more releases, check out our list of all the upcoming PS5 games in the works.
