logo
Housemarque's Next Sci-Fi Shooter Is Called Saros And It Might Be More Forgiving Than Returnal

Housemarque's Next Sci-Fi Shooter Is Called Saros And It Might Be More Forgiving Than Returnal

Yahoo13-02-2025
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

8 of the biggest trends from Copenhagen Fashion Week to wear now, from dresses over trousers to polka dots
8 of the biggest trends from Copenhagen Fashion Week to wear now, from dresses over trousers to polka dots

Cosmopolitan

time2 days ago

  • Cosmopolitan

8 of the biggest trends from Copenhagen Fashion Week to wear now, from dresses over trousers to polka dots

Another Copenhagen Fashion Week has come and gone, and although the event itself might be over, the inspiration it provided will live on (hello to pouring over street style pics). While the catwalks were dedicated to displaying the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, there were plenty of outfit ideas and styling hacks that can easily be put to the test right now — and likely with pieces already in your wardrobe. Allow me to take you through the biggest trends I spotted from the shows... Bright and bold colours have become synonymous with CPHFW, but this season it was dialled up a notch. Patterns and textures were clashed together, for mash-up looks that somehow managed to still look cohesive. Zalando Visionary Award winner Iamisigo is a "experimental wearable art" label, with all pieces being traditionally handcrafted in Africa. A multitude of fabrics including glass, metal and cotton created dynamic, eye-catching looks that honoured heritage techniques while still feeling modern. Finnish brand Marimekko styled candy-colour stripes with clashing, graphic florals and knee-high ribbed socks. Danish label Caro Editions was founded in 2022, and upcycles luxury deadstock fabrics into new designs. Lace, gingham, tartan and satin were all worn together (and also seen on one-of-a-kind bags made in collaboration with Mulberry) for stylish yet surprising looks. We won't quote the infamous Devil Wears Prada line makes sense that floral dresses took centre stage at CPHFW this season. Cecilie Bahnsen, whose eponymous label usually shows in Paris, returned to her native Copenhagen for a special 10th anniversary presentation, much to the excitement of many (myself included). Sculptural flower and petal appliqué shapes are somewhat of the brand's signature, appearing on whimsical dresses, structural skirts and Asics trainers. Nicklas Skovgaard has become one of the most exciting designers to watch from Copenhagen, and his show was filled with voluminous, tulle-stuffed, floral-printed dresses (all worn with Scholl clogs, my personal shoe of the summer). Rave Review, another Danish label focussed on upcycling and re-purposing vintage fabrics, made use of floral bed linens by creating dresses, skirts and jackets. BRB, cutting up my old quilt as we speak... Silk scarves and bandanas have been trending in a big way this summer, and the effects of such could be seen across the Copenhagen runways. Baum und Pferdgarten went down the traditional route for its equestrian inspired show, with printed scarves knotted on top of blazers. Co-founder Helle Hestehave told Cosmopolitan UK: "We had long wanted to explore a theme centred around horses. During a walk through the old stables north of Copenhagen, the location of our show, we instantly knew we wanted to create a collection and presentation inspired by everything that unfolds at a horse race: from the guests attending, to the highly skilled jockeys, and the raw, authentic surroundings." MDKT Studio styled almost every look in its show with matching scarves that stuck out behind the wearer's heads, as if a gust of wind was permanently lifting them. And at The Garment, models wore triangle bandanas around their necks with ruffled romantic dresses and riding boots, creating a Western-inspired look. Yes, you have read this correctly. Millennials like myself are old enough to remember this trend the first time around, but it appears to be back in a big way. CMMN SWDN styled knee-length knitted and chiffon sleeveless dresses over tailored trousers, giving a more grown-up and polished take. Stel presented asymmetrical pleated skirts over technical and tartan trousers for a more grungy feel, and Skall Studio paired wide-leg jeans with a striped mini shift dress — basically, there's a way to wear a dress over trousers that suits everyone's style, so no excuses. Tartan and plaid are wardrobe staples — it almost feels redundant to refer to them as a trend they're such classics. However, you couldn't ignore just how much the pattern dominated CPHFW. Alis's Oasis soundtracked show gave big 90s vibes, alongside its plaid football shirts, skirts and bikinis. Newcomer Martin Quad's gothic monochromatic collection was punctuated by bursts of hot pink tartan, and Rolf Ekroth's majestic woodland presentation was brimming with clashing colours and patterns, all stitched together to create unique outerwear. You can't beat a bit of fringe for adding drama to an outfit. Anne Sofie Madsen had one of the buzziest shows of the season, largely thanks to her giant, metallic, rat-shaped handbags, but her statement fringed dress and hat were equally exciting. Stem, an innovative zero-waste production brand, hosted a weaving workshop which served as its fashion show. The raw hems of every garment created an un-done, rough-and-ready fringed effect. Herskind went for a more polished approach, with long leather fringed dresses and skirts being worn with giant fold-over clutch bags and sharp jackets. You might call it the pattern of the summer, but hell, I'm calling it the pattern of the year. You simply couldn't move in Copenhagen without hitting a polka dot, whether it was on the catwalks or the cobbled streets of the city itself. Caro Editions used the print throughout its collection, often doubling up with clashing colours and spot sizes. At Rotate, the final show of the week, polka dots were small and dainty, on sheer halterneck tops, jumpsuits and micro-shorts. Creative directors Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen told Cosmopolitan UK: "This collection was created with the feeling of a sun-soaked summer getaway in mind. We got a lot of inspiration from the 70s, all reimagined with that Rotate twist. It's all about softness, fluidity, and elegant draping." At Rolf Ekroth, giant dots were painted onto T-shirts, jeans, jumpers, skirts and even model's faces. Multi-coloured beads featured heavily throughout Iamisigo's collection, creating bags, vests and even floor-length dresses. Creative director Bubu Ogisi said of her brand's ethos: "Heritage isn't backwards-looking — it's the past, the present and the future." At CMMN SWDN, models carried cross-body, tote and pouch style bead bags with their soft, tailored outfits. And at Gestuz, a beaded bra top had fringing right down to the wearer's knees, ticking off two trends in one. Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023. Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.

Rap festival near the Arctic Ocean delights crowds under the midnight sun

time15-07-2025

Rap festival near the Arctic Ocean delights crowds under the midnight sun

UTSJOKI, Finland -- It was well past midnight when Mihkku Laiti appeared on stage to perform at an open-air music festival in the Finnish village of Utsjoki, north of the Arctic circle. Despite the time, Lapland's famous midnight sun was still up. During the summer months the sun doesn't go down at all in Utsjoki, which is less than 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Arctic Ocean. In the glow of blue spotlights, Laiti rapped while a crowd of more than 300 listened, some of them singing along and dancing. Like the majority of Utsjoki's residents, Laiti is a member of the Sámi — Europe's only recognized Indigenous people — and he rapped in his native Sámi language. Laiti, also known by his stage name 'Yungmiqu,' is the founder of the Loktafeasta rap festival. He first found fame on the television show Talent Finland, where he surprised the judges by rapping in the gákti, the traditional dress of the Sámi. It is brightly colored and often characterized by plaits, pewter embroidery and a high collar. The festival brought Laiti's Indigenous culture to the spotlight, though some of his fans could not understand what he was saying. That didn't seem to bother anyone at the Loktafeasta as the festival mixed performances from artists in both Sámi language and Finnish. Some drank beer and ate sausages and the crowd seemed to enjoy the summer festival atmosphere despite spells of rain. 'When I rap about my culture ... I want to show how being Sámi is like from my point of view," Laiti told The Associated Press. 'Because there are many stereotypes about Sámi people and I want to like normalize ... the basic stuff we do and not romanticize those things,' he said. He added that he has not worn the gákti for performances for about a year now to show people that it is possible to be Sámi and wear whatever you want. The Sámi traditionally live in Lapland, which stretches from northern parts of Norway to Sweden and Finland to Russia. However, of the roughly 10,000 Sámi people living in Finland, the majority now live outside their homeland. The Sámi people were oppressed for centuries by the powers that ruled and exploited their lands, including bans of the use of their native tongues and efforts to suppress their culture. In the past decades, there have been efforts to reestablish their rights, including the right to use Sámi languages which is now guaranteed in the Finnish constitution. Today, the historically semi-nomadic Sámi people have modern lifestyles. The few who still tend reindeer do so with modern vehicles, digital tools and regulated land use. However, there is an effort to preserve the Sámi's cultural identity. Distinctive Sámi clothing was worn by many at Loktafeasta, as is typical on special occasions. At the festival, Laiti mostly wanted his fans to be happy and enjoy the music. 'I want people to feel joy, of course, and I just want people to be happy that we have this kind of festival here in Utsjoki," he said with a smile. Among the other acts was a duo comprised of self-confessed old school tango crooner Jaakko Laitinen and rapper Jouni J. They also reside in Lapland and perform in Finnish. 'I see a connection from the hip hop and the tinkering with words to the old Finnish like Kalevala freestyling folk poetry," said Laitinen, referring to Finland's national epic about the Earth's creation. "So that obvious connection and the Finnish tango ... is part of our soul and heart,' he added. Although the duo's songs were a world away from the birthplace of rap music in the Bronx in New York City, their performance brought joy to Utsjoki's locals and visitors. 'Music travels and music brings people together. It's the magic of the international language of music,' Laitinen said.

A rap festival near the Arctic Ocean delights crowds under the midnight sun
A rap festival near the Arctic Ocean delights crowds under the midnight sun

San Francisco Chronicle​

time15-07-2025

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

A rap festival near the Arctic Ocean delights crowds under the midnight sun

UTSJOKI, Finland (AP) — It was well past midnight when Mihkku Laiti appeared on stage to perform at an open-air music festival in the Finnish village of Utsjoki, north of the Arctic circle. Despite the time, Lapland's famous midnight sun was still up. During the summer months the sun doesn't go down at all in Utsjoki, which is less than 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Arctic Ocean. In the glow of blue spotlights, Laiti rapped while a crowd of more than 300 listened, some of them singing along and dancing. Like the majority of Utsjoki's residents, Laiti is a member of the Sámi — Europe's only recognized Indigenous people — and he rapped in his native Sámi language. Laiti, also known by his stage name 'Yungmiqu,' is the founder of the Loktafeasta rap festival. He first found fame on the television show Talent Finland, where he surprised the judges by rapping in the gákti, the traditional dress of the Sámi. It is brightly colored and often characterized by plaits, pewter embroidery and a high collar. The festival brought Laiti's Indigenous culture to the spotlight, though some of his fans could not understand what he was saying. That didn't seem to bother anyone at the Loktafeasta as the festival mixed performances from artists in both Sámi language and Finnish. Some drank beer and ate sausages and the crowd seemed to enjoy the summer festival atmosphere despite spells of rain. 'When I rap about my culture ... I want to show how being Sámi is like from my point of view," Laiti told The Associated Press. 'Because there are many stereotypes about Sámi people and I want to like normalize ... the basic stuff we do and not romanticize those things,' he said. He added that he has not worn the gákti for performances for about a year now to show people that it is possible to be Sámi and wear whatever you want. Europe's only recognized indigenous people The Sámi traditionally live in Lapland, which stretches from northern parts of Norway to Sweden and Finland to Russia. However, of the roughly 10,000 Sámi people living in Finland, the majority now live outside their homeland. The Sámi people were oppressed for centuries by the powers that ruled and exploited their lands, including bans of the use of their native tongues and efforts to suppress their culture. In the past decades, there have been efforts to reestablish their rights, including the right to use Sámi languages which is now guaranteed in the Finnish constitution. Today, the historically semi-nomadic Sámi people have modern lifestyles. The few who still tend reindeer do so with modern vehicles, digital tools and regulated land use. However, there is an effort to preserve the Sámi's cultural identity. Distinctive Sámi clothing was worn by many at Loktafeasta, as is typical on special occasions. Artists rap in Finnish and Sámi language At the festival, Laiti mostly wanted his fans to be happy and enjoy the music. 'I want people to feel joy, of course, and I just want people to be happy that we have this kind of festival here in Utsjoki," he said with a smile. Among the other acts was a duo comprised of self-confessed old school tango crooner Jaakko Laitinen and rapper Jouni J. They also reside in Lapland and perform in Finnish. 'I see a connection from the hip hop and the tinkering with words to the old Finnish like Kalevala freestyling folk poetry," said Laitinen, referring to Finland's national epic about the Earth's creation. A world away from the birthplace of rap music in the Bronx Although the duo's songs were a world away from the birthplace of rap music in the Bronx in New York City, their performance brought joy to Utsjoki's locals and visitors. 'Music travels and music brings people together. It's the magic of the international language of music,' Laitinen said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store