Housemarque is preparing to launch Saros, a new third-person roguelite that promises to evolve the studio's established gameplay DNA. According to a review by fayerwayer.com, the title serves as a successor to the studio's previous hit, Returnal, offering a more flexible and populated universe.
Set on the hostile planet Carcosa, the game follows Arjun, an agent for the Soltari corporation. While the official mission involves a rescue operation for missing colonists, the outlet reports that Arjun possesses personal, obsessive motivations that drive the narrative forward.
Unlike the isolation found in Returnal, Saros features a living hub where players interact with surviving crew members and colonists. The game utilizes a 'fragmented mythology' style, delivering story elements through holograms and audio logs to avoid interrupting the action.
Tactical combat and energy management
The gameplay centers on high-intensity 'bullet hell' combat. Fayerwayer.com notes that the screen is frequently flooded with projectiles, demanding extreme precision similar to recent titles like Doom.
A key innovation is the Soltari shield, which functions as a tactical energy management tool rather than simple protection. Players must absorb specific colored projectiles to charge a power bar, which can then be unleashed through high-frequency rays or mechanical saws.
Control mechanics also include 'perfect reloads' and a 'hyper-boost' for frontal attacks. The review highlights that the game requires total synchronization between player reflexes and strategic adaptation.
While Housemarque previously suggested the arcade era had ended, the review argues that Saros proves otherwise. The outlet describes the game as the 'culmination of 30 years dedicated to pure action,' featuring immersive 3D audio and haptic feedback via the DualSense controller.
