Should You Play Returnal Before Playing Saros?

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Housemarque has done it again with Saros, another fantastic roguelite game, and I say that after already spending 30 hours playing! A lot of people, especially those new to the game, are wondering if they need to have played Returnal first. The simple answer is no, but there’s a little more to it than that. Let me explain.

Is Saros a Sequel to Returnal?

Let’s address the main question right away: Saros isn’t a sequel to Returnal. It’s a brand new game from Housemarque. While there aren’t any direct story connections between the two games, the developers have added a few hidden references for fans to find.

Although gameplay trailers make Saros seem similar to other games, it actually has a much more complex structure and way of progressing. Let’s take a closer look at how it differs and what it has in common, so you can get a clearer picture.

What are the Differences Between Saros & Returnal?

Both Saros and Returnal were created by Housemarque and have a lot in common – they’re both sci-fi games with quick, action-packed battles and a gameplay style that encourages repeated runs. Because of these similarities, it’s natural to compare them. However, Saros has some important features that set it apart, and we’ll explore those in more detail below.

  • Narrative Focused: Arjun Devraj takes center stage in Saros as he searches for his lost loved one across the madness-stricken lands of Carcosa. Without stepping into spoiler territory, the game establishes his motivations early on and uses them to anchor a more cohesive narrative from start to finish.
  • Progression System: Saros focuses on more persistent and permanent upgrades for Arjun, stripping away the more punishing “restart from scratch” layer of Returnal. This makes the game a lot more approachable for newcomers to the roguelike/roguelite games.
  • Carcosan Modifiers: Saros has a unique mechanic called Carcosan Modifiers, which can make the game both easy and challenging to suit the taste of the players. This adds a layer of accessibility to the game, allowing players to either buffs (protections) or nerfs (trials) to Arjun. Saros also makes sure that players don’t turn the game into a walk in the park, forcing players to balance both protections and trials to maintain a level of challenge and risk-and-reward factor to the gameplay.

Both Returnal and Saros are fun games made by Housemarque, and you can enjoy either one without playing the other. That said, if you play Returnal first, you might better understand how Saros takes those same gameplay ideas and makes them even more accessible.

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2026-05-04 02:35