Saros, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021's Returnal, is another masterful third-person shooter that immediately positions itself as a contender for the best PlayStation 5 exclusive to date. Developed by Housemarque, the studio behind Super Stardust and Resogun, Saros blends bullet-hell shooter mechanics, Metroidvania exploration, and roguelite progression. While not a direct sequel, it shares the core DNA of Returnal, delivering intense combat and challenging gameplay.
A Familiar Formula with Refinements
Saros retains the high difficulty, opaque storytelling, and cautious exploration reminiscent of FromSoftware's Dark Souls, but infuses it with Housemarque's arcade shooter expertise. The game's maps are more open-plan than Returnal's interconnected rooms, reducing the Metroid Prime influence. However, the core experience remains strikingly similar, which might disappoint if the combat weren't so exceptional.
Story: A Step Backward
The narrative casts you as Arjun Devraj, a security officer for a corporation exploiting the planet Carcosa. Ravaged by constant eclipses, Carcosa is home to deadly monsters and a long-dead race. The story draws from cinematic influences like Alien and Sunshine, but lacks the Lynchian weirdness of Returnal. Arjun is a gruff tough guy searching for a lost colonist, and while there are late-game twists, they arrive too late to fully engage.
Combat: Peerless and Precise
The action in Saros is absolutely peerless. Controls are gorgeously precise, with high-speed movement and a new auto-aim feature for most weapons. The DualSense controller is used brilliantly, with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhancing the shooting experience. The combat is so enjoyable that repetition from death rarely frustrates.
Enemies unleash luminous bullet patterns reminiscent of Japanese bullet-hell shooters. Blue bullets can be dashed through or absorbed by a shield to charge a power weapon. Red bullets must be dodged, while yellow bullets during eclipses reduce maximum health. Eclipses are manually triggered, altering the landscape and increasing difficulty for greater rewards.
Progression and Accessibility
Each run features randomized maps, offering linear paths with optional side routes. Defeated enemies drop minerals used to unlock a substantial skill tree, a new addition absent in Returnal. Players can now save mid-run, making the game more accessible. Modifiers allow difficulty adjustments, broadening its appeal.
Verdict
Saros is an incredible shoot 'em up, but it's a conservative follow-up. The storytelling and biome variety are less compelling, and many weapons feel like minor variations. Yet, the transcendent action makes these concerns minor. While not as original as Returnal, the euphoria of overcoming its challenges is palpable. It may not be the best PS5 exclusive, but being second best is more than good enough.
Score: 9/10
Formats: PlayStation 5
Price: £69.99
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Housemarque
Release Date: 30th April 2026
Age Rating: 12
