Housemarque’s new sci-fi shooter Saros was shown off during the PlayStation State of Play September live stream, and it leans heavily into the Returnal playbook while promising a permanent progression system that changes the loop. It’s due on PS5 on March 20, 2026, so fans of fast, dodge-heavy combat have something to look forward to.
Creative director Gregory Louden walked viewers through a gameplay trailer that blends third-person, bullet hell action with cinematic set pieces. Combat looks dense and vertical, with lots of jumping and dodging, plus a new bubble shield that can block incoming projectiles and creates striking visual moments.
The trailer blurb lays out the setup, “Arjun Devraj (Rahul Kohli), a Soltari enforcer, fights to survive on the lost colony of Carcosa under an ominous eclipse,” and describes shape shifting biomes and hostile ruins as the backdrop for encounters that demand precision and adaptability.
Watch the gameplay trailer here:
It actually shows that Housemarque will stick with the high-intensity, roguelike-adjacent combat that made Returnal stand out, while adding permanent progression to smooth the long-term goals for players. That will change how runs feel, and should make Saros easier to commit to for players who like incremental rewards. Thoughts on the shield, or Rahul Kohli’s casting? Drop a comment, and follow us on X and Bluesky.
