What is Saros, the 2026 PS5 Exclusive From Returnal Devs?

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PlayStation is known for its exclusive games, which have changed over time from simple platformers and shooters to more complex, story-focused adventures. However, developer Housemarque has found its own unique style. They used to be famous for fast-paced, arcade-style games, but with the PlayStation 5 game Returnal, they moved into bigger, more ambitious projects. Returnal tells a compelling story, but it doesn’t deliver it in a straightforward way like games such as The Last of Us or God of War. Players uncover the narrative gradually with each playthrough of the game’s setting, Atropos, so the core gameplay needs to be excellent to keep them engaged – and it is. We can expect the same high level of gameplay from their new game, Saros.

Saros shares similarities with Returnal – like a shifting planet and quick, challenging gameplay focused on dodging attacks – but it’s a standalone experience with its own unique story. While there are subtle nods to Returnal’s narrative and the same actress who played Selene appears in Saros, players can fully enjoy the new protagonist Arjun’s journey without any prior knowledge of the previous game. Saros aims to be more approachable than Returnal through a core gameplay adjustment, hopefully attracting a wider audience to Housemarque’s consistently high-quality work.

What is Saros About?

Image via Sony

While Saros will primarily focus on exciting gameplay, as fans of Housemarque would expect, the game also aims to tell a compelling and somewhat eerie story. Players will experience this story through the eyes of Arjun Devraj, who is determined to find someone on the mysterious planet Carcosa. His skills in combat are explained by his role as a Soltari Enforcer. Throughout his journey, Arjun will meet various characters – the remnants of a lost colony stranded on the planet. Players will learn more about these survivors through conversations in the central Passage hub and by collecting audio logs that reveal their individual stories.

Rahul Kohli, known for his role on iZombie and memorable performances in Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Bly Manor, will play Arjun. He’s also become a popular figure within online fandoms, gaining recognition through engaging social media content and appearances on gaming channels like Funhaus.

Housemarque isn’t revealing who Arjun is looking for or why he’s so determined to find them, but they assure us the story will become more intense and emotionally charged as the mystery unfolds. Like the first Returnal, players will explore personal spaces – this time a strange corridor and bedroom. Just as the planet Atropos manipulated Selene, Carcosa will likely use Arjun’s past against him. The planet itself will change and shift, and its perpetual eclipse isn’t just visually striking – it also affects how you play the game.

Saros’ Supporting Cast and Cinematics Set it Apart From Returnal

Image via Housemarque

The story of Returnal centered on Selene and her repeated cycles on the planet Atropos. Players discovered recordings from past versions of Selene, and besides a mysterious astronaut who pursued her, she was the only significant character. This allowed for a detailed exploration of her character. However, for the sequel, Housemarque is changing things up by giving the new protagonist, Arjun, a crew to protect. This approach will likely offer a broader look at how the strange Carcosa eclipse impacts people, as while Arjun may be resilient, his crew could face greater challenges and mental strain.

Sheridan Bouchard is the first supporting character to be named, hinting she’ll be a key figure in Arjun’s story. Actress Jane Perry, known for her role in Returnal, plays Bouchard, who Housemarque describes as direct and serious. Unlike her character in Returnal, who was defined by obsession and trauma, Bouchard’s motivations and story will be completely different. Other non-player characters (NPCs) that have been revealed include:

  • Jerome Jackson: A bearded Australian man who aims a gun at Arjun and has knowledge of past eclipses. He’s played by Ben Prendergast, who portrayed Tyr in God of War Ragnarok.
  • Sebastian Torres: A bald man who has been driven insane by the planet and attacks the crew. He’s played by David DeSantos.
  • An unnamed woman who criticizes Arjun for stranding the group without a way home. She’s played by South of Midnight’s Adriyan Raye.
  • An unknown narrator at the beginning of the trailer played by Shunori Ramanthan. Perhaps this is the character Arjun is looking for?
Image via Sony

Given the complex characters and emphasis on story in the game, it’s not surprising that Saros features high-quality cinematics. Players expect excellent acting and direction from PlayStation Studios games like Death Stranding 2 or Ghost of Yotei, and Housemarque is clearly working to deliver that. A recent look at the game’s characters showcased impressive cutscenes, and this appears to be a strong first effort for the studio in this area. These cinematics should make interactions between the actors – including Rahul Kohli and Jane Perry – feel more meaningful by giving their performances the focus they deserve. Ultimately, Saros‘s story aims to be both epic and easier to follow for players who prefer a clear narrative.

Saros’ Roguelike Gameplay Will Feel Very Familiar to Returnal Fans…

Though the game now begins in a central hub area instead of a wrecked spaceship, the basic gameplay remains similar to Returnal. Players will engage in fast-paced combat, dodging a constant stream of attacks from dangerous plants and creatures. Many of these creatures have hidden backstories to discover. Boss battles will likely feature enemies inspired by both demons and sun gods, reflecting the game’s central themes. Expect challenging encounters that require repeated attempts, though it’s currently unknown if the game will include shortcuts like those in Returnal, as the planet’s layout changes with each playthrough. Despite potentially lacking shortcuts, the developers are aiming to make the game less frustrating than its predecessor.

As a big fan of Returnal, I’ve been thinking about the name of Selene’s ship – it’s called Helios, which is the name of the Sun god! It’s got a lot of us wondering if Housemarque is hinting at something bigger, maybe a connection to another game. Or, it could just be a fun little tease, especially if they’ve been working on Saros for a while now. It’s fun to speculate!

…With the Exception of These Key Changes

In Returnal, players lost almost everything when they died and restarted a run, only keeping a few key items like shortcuts, movement abilities, and a special currency. While this harshness was appealing to fans of difficult roguelike games, it discouraged less experienced players and turned some people away from buying the game. The upcoming Saros expansion aims to be more accessible by letting players permanently upgrade their suits and weapons. This means players can start runs with a stronger base, making the early parts of the game easier. They’ll also be able to choose their starting weapon and carry progress between runs, which should make the game less daunting. To further help players, Saros will include a second chance mechanic, allowing them to continue a run even after dying once.

In Saros, death won’t be quite as harsh, but more importantly, Arjun will have a shield that lets him block incoming attacks and send them back at enemies. Parrying – perfectly timing a block – is a key part of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Saros will likely feature it prominently. To balance this new shield – especially when combined with other features like Second Chances and Loadouts – the game will probably have even more intense bullet patterns than Returnal. Players should expect the parry to be challenging, either requiring precise timing or having limits on how often it can be used, but it will be a rewarding ability that makes Arjun’s gameplay unique compared to Selene.

Housemarque has teased a new feature called “Eclipse Escalation,” which they plan to explain in a future PlayStation Blog post, along with the “Come Back Stronger” system. It seems that as the Eclipse in the game fills up, enemies will become more challenging, but there’s likely more to how it works than that.

What to Expect From Saros’ Launch

Saros will now launch on April 30, 2026, after a short delay. Housemarque says the extra development time will allow them to fully realize their vision for the game and promises to share more details soon, including how it will take advantage of the PS5’s capabilities. Based on their previous game, Returnal, it’s likely Saros will heavily utilize features like the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers and 3D audio. We can also expect options for prioritizing performance or visual fidelity. Considering the discussion around Returnal’s Suspend Cycle, Saros will probably include a similar save feature at launch.

Saros’ Digital Deluxe Edition and Pre-Order Bonus

Image via Sony

Besides the $70 standard version of Saros, players can also buy the Digital Deluxe Edition for $80. For an extra $10, this edition includes these added perks:

  • 48-hour early access
  • Astra Armor (Returnal-inspired)
  • Onryo Armor (Ghost of Yotei-inspired)
  • Midgard Armor (God of War-inspired)

If you pre-order either version of the game, you’ll receive the Hands of Shore Armor. This beautiful armor set is inspired by Death Stranding and covers Arjun in white hands that look like the footprints left by BTs. Golden details represent Chiral Crystals.

Saros’ Potential Post-Launch Support

PlayStation games often receive significant free updates after they launch. For example, Marvel’s Spider-Man got extra suits, and God of War had the substantial Valhalla expansion. Returnal followed this trend with Tower of Sisyphus, a fun endless mode that also added to the game’s story. Considering this pattern, it’s likely Saros will receive similar post-launch content, though Housemarque could always take a different approach. Regardless, players can probably expect at least one major update alongside the standard bug fixes and small improvements.

Saros is best described as a more approachable version of Returnal. It aims to capture what made Returnal great, but with a story that’s easier to follow and a system where players steadily become more powerful with each playthrough. Don’t mistake ‘approachable’ for ‘easy,’ though – like all games from Housemarque, including Returnal and Nex Machina, Saros is still challenging. It benefits from a compelling story featuring a well-known actor, and builds on its already strong combat with additions like parrying, making it a promising title.

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2025-12-24 14:10