Housemarque's Next Sci-Fi Shooter Is Called Saros And It Might Be More Forgiving Than Returnal
I knew Saros was a Housemarque game the second its protagonist said, 'But after every death I always come back stronger.' The Finnish studio behind Returnal and a host of excellent arcade shooters is back with a new entry in the same genre scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 in 2026 and I already can't wait.
Not much was revealed in the cinematic teaser during Wednesday's PlayStation State of Play showcase, including any actual gameplay. But we did get a sense of Saros' world and stakes, with the main character mentioning endless time loops and an eclipse from which madness, and creepy enemies, both spawn.
It seems very much like a spiritual successor to 2021's GOTY roguelike contender Returnal but with an important difference. While that game was pretty punishing run-to-run, Saros will have 'permanent resources and progression.' Every time hero Arjun Devraj (played by Rahul Kohli) respawns, he'll have new weapons and upgrades rather than his arsenal resetting each time.
Here's the description:
Set on the planet Carcosa under the threat of an ominous eclipse, take on the role of Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for answers on a lost off-world colony. SAROS features permanent progression systems, where every death reshapes the world while offering new upgrades to overcome challenges. With a haunting story, deep third-person action, and a grounded performance by Rahul Kohli, SAROS presents the next evolution in Housemarque's gameplay-first experience.
Creative director Gregory Louden called it 'the ultimate evolution of the Housemarque gameplay-first experience' and said the game will continue in the third-person action shooter tradition of its predecessor. There's even a slight wink and a nod to Housemarque's signature bullet hell orb patterns it loves killing players with.
When the game does arrive sometime in 2026, it will include enhancements for PS5 Pro. Considering the importance of framerate to the genre, that will probably end up being no small thing. Hopefully we get to see some actual gameplay later this year. In the meantime, you can join me in celebrating Housemarque's 30th anniversary by giving Returnal a shot if you haven't already.
.
For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sony Reveals Last-Minute PlayStation Showcase Ahead Of Summer Game Fest
Just when it seemed like Sony might be ditching the not-E3 festivities this year, it announced a new 40-minute State of Play will be airing tomorrow on June 4. The PlayStation showcase arrives in a packed week that includes the launch of the Switch 2, Summer Game Fest Live on Friday, and the Xbox summer showcase on Sunday. It feels like the gaming days of yore. Almost. What can we expect from this new State of Play livestream? Sony was cagier than usual. 'Watch live for news and updates on must-play games coming to PS5,' the PS Blog reads. 'The show highlights a selection of great games from creators across the globe.' Normally the company calls out VR games as well, so maybe this means the show will be strictly focused on upcoming PlayStation 5 releases. Despite Grand Theft Auto 6 being delayed until May 2026, it's becoming a decently packed fall for Sony between first-party exclusives like Ghost of Yotei and Marathon and third-party blockbusters like Borderlands 4. Mafia: The Old Country and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater also drop in August. Could there be a few more big fall releases that we haven't officially heard about yet? Resident Evil 9 is already heavily rumored to be appearing at Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest. Maybe it'll get previewed first by Sony. The rest of Sony's first-party plans remain up in the air. Following the cancellation of a number of live-service projects, including games being worked on at Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, as well as the recent apparent setback of FairGame$, it's not clear what releases PlayStation Studios might have ready to go in the next 12 months. Insomniac'sWolverine game was first revealed back in 2021 but lost its creative director just last year. Maybe we'll see more of Housemarque's Saros, a new sci-fi roguelite in the vein of Returnal. The State of Play will begin streaming on YouTube and Twitch starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Panthers Issue Statement After NHL's Major Announcement
Panthers Issue Statement After NHL's Major Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Panthers are gearing up for their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, set to begin Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers. Advertisement This marks the second consecutive season in which the Panthers and the Oilers will face off in the Final, with Florida winning last year's series in seven games. Meanwhile, on Monday, the NHL announced Panthers star forward Aleksander Barkov had won not only his third Frank J. Selke Trophy, given "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," but also his first King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community." "That's two more trophies to add to Aleksander Barkov's illustrious resume!" the NHL wrote. Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16).© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Immediately following the announcement, the Panthers issued a statement. Advertisement "Congrats, Cap!" they posted. Barkov was presented with both trophies in a heartwarming moment at the Panthers' practice facility. The team was scheduled to have a meeting when kids from Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital entered the room to share the news. The 6-foot-2 Finnish center has been a regular visitor to the hospital throughout his career, bringing joy and putting smiles on the children's faces. Barkov previously won the Selke in the 2020–21 and 2023–24 seasons. He is now one of six players all-time to win the award three times. The other five are Pavel Datsyuk, Jere Lehtinen, Guy Carbonneau, Bob Gainey, and Patrice Bergeron. Advertisement Barkov was drafted No. 2 overall by the Panthers in the 2013 NHL Draft and has spent his entire 12-year career in Sunrise. This season, he appeared in 67 games, recording 20 goals, 51 assists and 71 points. Related: Wayne Gretzky Predicts 2025 Stanley Cup Final Matchup Related: Matthew Tkachuk Reveals First Text to Brad Marchand After Panthers-Bruins Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area fans flock to see Esa-Pekka Salonen before final S.F. performances
Esa-Pekka Salonen 's final month as music director of the San Francisco Symphony has begun, and the lines at the Davies Symphony Hall box office are just one sign of how much Bay Area audiences are going to miss him. At the front of it for the Symphony's matinee of the last of three performances with violinist Hillary Hahn on Sunday, June 1,were patrons and old Symphony supporters Devorra Depper and Ophelia Salazar. The two San Franciscans arrived an hour and a half before showtime looking for an upgrade in order to get as close as possible to the conductor. 'I wanted to see him again as many times as I can before he left,' said Depper, who has been a Symphony patron for 40 years. She added she plans to see Salonen conduct three more times before his final performance on June 14. 'Each music director brings a different quality and I don't want to rank them but I just think he is superb,' she went on. 'He has a fabulous relationship with the orchestra and it makes for a marvelous listening experience.' In March 2024, the Finnish conductor announced he was severing ties with the orchestra after just five years — one of those years lost to the COVID-19 lockdown — citing differences with the Symphony's Board of Governors. Since then, the institution's financial challenges have been made public, with musicians frustrated to the point of protest because they've been performing without a contract. (As of a joint statement issued by the administration and the union on May 14, they expressed 'an ongoing commitment to the bargaining process.') While Salonen is not in the musicians' union, he has made statements in the past that are sympathetic to their cause. Those sentiments were echoed by many attendees at Sunday's show. 'It should be the musicians making the decisions, not the board,' said Salazar, who has been a Symphony subscriber for 31 years. 'It is the relationship between the conductor and the orchestra that matters. If that is not there, you have nothing.' Still, no matter what's been happening backstage, the audience didn't get that sense once Salonen came bouncing out the stage door to a warm ovation on Sunday before a mostly sold out auditorium of more than 2,500. By intermission, Salonen had been called out from the wings twice by audience ovations, with some standing. 'He's a great conductor who brings out the best in the orchestra,' Jonathan Kaner of Berkeley reflected. 'He chooses a smart program and is engaging and fun.' Now there are only six concerts left, plus an open rehearsal, before the Salonen era comes to a close. '(I'm) really sorry to see Salonen go,' Kaner said, 'really sorry.'
