With Saros back in the news today and the unfortunate news that it might not be coming to PC (that’s if Jason Schreier is to be believed), we thought it would be the perfect time to go back and round up everything we know so far about the PS5 exclusive.
Similar to what we (Mike and I) have done with Mewgenics and Slay the Spire 2 in the past, we’ve put together a handy guide featuring everything you need to know about Saros ahead of its PS5 launch on April 30th.
Here’s what we know, put as succinctly as possible for your convenience.
What is Saros?
Saros serves as the spiritual successor to Returnal, Housemarque’s critically acclaimed roguelite shooter and one of the first standout exclusives on PS5.
The core DNA of Returnal looks very much intact, but the new IP has allowed the studio to explore new characters and worlds.
The game follows Soltari Enforcer Arjun Devraj, performed by actor Rahul Kohli (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass), on a mysterious off-world mission to uncover the fate of a lost colony on the shape-shifting planet of Carcosa, shrouded under a haunting eclipse.
The story has been teased to be the biggest and most ambitious from the studio yet. It’s also said to feature an ensemble cast and will see the return of Jane Perry, who voiced Returnal protagonist Selene Vassos.
How does Saros differ from Returnal?
With Housemarque not taking the direct sequel route, you might be wondering what sets Saros apart.
One of the biggest differences is progression: unlike Returnal, Saros features a persistent resource and upgrade system, letting players permanently enhance weapons and suit abilities. If you recall, this is more lenient than what we saw in Returnal as some items were lost when dying.
Combat also sees a major evolution with the Soltari Shield. Devraj can use it to block enemy attacks and absorb their energy, which then transforms his right arm into one of the Carcosan Power Weapons for devastating counterattacks. This adds a strategic, reactive layer to combat, allowing players to decide when to defend, absorb, or unleash energy.
If you die unexpectedly, there’s no need to panic, Saros introduces a Second Chance system that revives you instantly on your first death, throwing you straight back into the action. Your collected main and power weapons will also be keep after scratch, helping to minimise the crushing sting of death.
Another way Saros eases the barrier to entry, alongside its Second Chance system, is through its teleportation mechanic. Players can teleport to any previously unlocked biome, reducing the need for any tedious backtracking.
Saros release date and digital deluxe edition
Saros is planned to launch exclusively on PS5 on 30th April and is priced at $69.99/ £69.99 for the standard digital edition and $64.99/ £64.99 for the boxed version.
A Digital Deluxe Edition is also available for $79.99/ £79.99 and will grant players with access to the game 48 hours earlier. It also includes three in-game cosmetics: Astra Armour, Midgard Armour, and Onryo Armour.
Is Saros playable in co-op?
Sadly, Saros is only a single player adventure and will not be playable with a friend or two in co-op.
Is Saros PS5 Pro Enhanced?
The PlayStation Store listing confirms that Saros will be PS5 Pro Enhanced, though exact details have yet to be revealed.
Based on other first-party Sony titles, the PS5 Pro version will likely look and run noticeably better than the standard PS5 release, with improvements such as enhanced particle effects, smoother performance, and possibly higher resolution visuals.
Saros platforms: will it remain a PS5 exclusive?
As mentioned up top there has been serious doubts cast by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier as to whether the game will be coming to PC.
In the following report, he notes that Sony Group Corp. no longer plans to release first-party PS5 games on PC as part of a major strategy shift, a move that will undoubtably come as a disappointment to many players.
Until we’ve heard official word from Sony, though, this should be taken with a grain of salt and Schreier even acknowledges within the story that the video game industry remains unpredictable.
As for the PS4, Housemarque has confirmed that it won’t be coming to the platform, so you’ll sadly need to update that older hardware.
Saros trailers
The most recent trailer for Saros landed during the latest State of Play in February and showed off the game’s comeback stronger features and eclipse gameplay running on the PS5.
The Bringing our Characters to Life trailer offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at the game’s ensemble cast of characters.
The pre-order trailer for Saros arrived as a nice pre-Christmas present last December. This one focused more on the game’s HP Lovecraft inspired world and gave us a few small teases of gameplay throughout.
Landing last September, the below trailer was our first glimpse at the gameplay of Saros, and it showcased the aforementioned Soltari Shield and the Second Chance mechanic.
The game’s announcement trailer landed last February and gave us a short cinematic teaser with no gameplay to be found.
As you might be able to tell, we’re pretty excited for Saros, so be sure to expect a full review from us at launch.
