Saros: Housemarque’s Evolution of Roguelike Action and a Response to Returnal Feedback
Housemarque’s upcoming action game, Saros, is generating significant buzz not just as the next project from the Returnal developers, but as a deliberate evolution of the roguelike formula. Early previews suggest a focus on addressing criticisms leveled at Returnal, particularly its punishing difficulty and lack of persistent progression. The game, set on the mysterious world of Carcosa, aims to deliver a compelling narrative alongside intense, third-person action.
Addressing Returnal’s Challenges: Permanent Progression and Customization
Returnal was lauded for its innovative gameplay and atmospheric world, but its relentless difficulty and cycle-based progression proved divisive. Players often found themselves starting over with minimal carryover after each death. Saros directly tackles this concern with a “Come Back Stronger” mechanic. Players will now be able to permanently upgrade their loadout, choosing from an evolving set of weapons and suit parts. This ensures that each death feels valuable, contributing to a sense of consistent progress.
The core of this progression system revolves around The Passage, a central hub reminiscent of the one in Hades. Here, players can interact with other survivors, delve deeper into the game’s lore, and utilize collected resources – Lucenite and Halycon – to customize their armor and tailor it to their preferred playstyle. Options include increasing health, improving resource gathering, and extending shield duration.
A More Interconnected World and Enhanced Exploration
Unlike Returnal’s more isolated structure, Saros features a more interconnected world. Players won’t simply restart in the first area upon death; they can teleport directly to previously discovered biomes, retaining their main and power weapon from their previous run. This significantly reduces frustration and encourages exploration.
The game also introduces Carcosan Modifiers, allowing players to fine-tune the difficulty to their liking. These modifiers come in two types: Trial Modifiers, which increase the challenge by making enemies more aggressive or degrading weapon power, and Protection Modifiers, which offer a more forgiving experience by reducing incoming damage or easing reload times.
The Narrative and Character of Saros
Saros casts players as Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer searching for someone on the lost off-world colony of Carcosa, which is perpetually under an ominous eclipse. Rahul Kohli, known for his roles in Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher, provides the voice and performance capture for Arjun. Housemarque emphasizes a focus on creating a powerful character study, exploring the sacrifices made in the pursuit of a new future.
The world of Carcosa itself is a key element of the game’s appeal. The environment will dynamically change with each eclipse cycle, impacting both the visuals and gameplay.
Release Date and Editions
Saros is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 on April 30th. A Digital Deluxe Edition will offer 48 hours of early access for those who pre-order.
FAQ
Q: Is Saros a sequel to Returnal?
A: Although not explicitly labeled as a sequel, Saros builds upon the foundation laid by Returnal and shares many similarities in gameplay and style.
Q: Will Saros be easier than Returnal?
A: The permanent progression system and customizable difficulty modifiers suggest that Saros will be more accessible to a wider range of players.
Q: What are Carcosan Modifiers?
A: These modifiers allow players to adjust the game’s difficulty, offering both challenges and assistance.
Q: Who is Rahul Kohli?
A: Rahul Kohli is an actor known for his roles in Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher, and he voices and provides performance capture for the main character, Arjun Devraj.
Did you know? Housemarque intentionally designed Saros to evolve the gameplay experience they established with Returnal, responding directly to player feedback.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different Carcosan Modifiers to find the difficulty level that best suits your playstyle.
Explore more about Saros and Housemarque’s development philosophy on their official website.
