Saros by Housemarque: A New Era of Third-Person Action

Housemarque, the studio behind Returnal, has unveiled its latest project, Saros, during the February 12 PlayStation State of Play event. While not a direct sequel to Returnal, Saros builds upon the studio’s signature gameplay elements while introducing fresh mechanics and an immersive new story. With a planned release window in 2026, Saros promises to be a thrilling evolution for fans of Housemarque’s action-packed titles.

A New Journey Begins

Saros introduces players to a haunting sci-fi world where survival and strength are key. The cinematic reveal trailer showcases a vast, reddish-yellow shore of Carcosa, setting the stage for an intense battle. The game follows a futuristic soldier, Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer, voiced by Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun). As Arjun awakens, he delivers a monologue about an unending fight against an unknown force, hinting at the game’s roguelike structure.

“Come Back Stronger” – The Core of Saros

Housemarque has emphasized the tagline “Come back stronger,” signaling a core gameplay loop that revolves around persistence and growth. Unlike Returnal, where knowledge gained from previous runs was a key takeaway, Saros will incorporate incremental strength mechanics. Players will build power over time, suggesting deeper RPG elements and progression systems.

Deep Third-Person Action and Bullet-Hell Elements

The trailer also teases combat elements reminiscent of Returnal, featuring fast-paced third-person action and bullet-hell-inspired enemy attacks. One particularly striking moment in the trailer showcases an otherworldly creature parting a body of water before launching an assault filled with intricate projectile patterns, a clear nod to Housemarque’s signature gameplay style.

A Worthy Successor to Returnal

Following the critical success of Returnal, Housemarque has taken its time crafting Saros, ensuring it offers a fresh yet familiar experience. The blend of a haunting narrative, deep combat mechanics, and a refined progression system suggests that Saros could be Housemarque’s most ambitious project yet.

With a 2026 release window, fans eagerly await further details. As more information emerges, one thing is clear: Saros is shaping up to be a must-play for fans of immersive action games and roguelike experiences.