Saros Reviews
Saros is a bold, confident realisation of 30 years of Housemarque. It builds on the mystery and exceptional gameplay of Returnal with an excellent lead performance, and changes to the formula mean even more players will come to realise that Housemarque is PlayStation's secret weapon.
A blistering, rapid-fire epic without peer, Saros confidently delivers a dual masterclass in third-person shooter design and roguelike sensibilities all wrapped in a delectable veneer that elevates it to one of the best looking games on PlayStation 5. To quote the kids - Housemarque cooked here. This is their masterpiece and it is next the must have, utterly essential PlayStation exclusive. Carcosa beckons.
"Come back stronger," has been pitched as the core ethos Saros wants to instil within you - and Housemarque absolutely did.
Advancements in progression, narrative delivery, and player engagement, as well as refinements made to a near-perfect set of gameplay fundamentals, see Saros eclipse its predecessor and ascend to a throne above all others in the genre.
Housemarque is back with yet another fantastic fast-paced third person shooter. Saros builds on Returnal, delivering deeper and more enjoyable gameplay, as well as a new permanent progression system and modifiers which allow you to tweak the difficulty to your preferences. All in all, it's Housemarque's best game yet.
Saros is a triumph in every sense. Its moment-to-moment gameplay keeps you constantly on your toes, while a hair-raising score of organs and strings carries each encounter with distorted riffs and soaring notes. Around it all sits an enigmatic mystery that pulls you forward, delivering an experience that is both accessible and punishing in equal measure. It is Housemarque at full power.
Saros is Housemarque operating at the height of its powers. Its combat is electric, its mystery lingers, and its progression makes every run feel meaningful. More forgiving than Returnal but no less intense, this is a stunning Game of the Year contender.
A perfect marriage of difficult and accessible, Saros is a brilliantly designed, majestic sci-fi nightmare that is as compelling as it is challenging.
Just like its spiritual predecessor Returnal, Saros is an unparalleled experience. Saros is a game that has kept me on the edge of my seat for 35 hours so far. During that time, I didn’t find a single thing that bothered me. I enjoyed every second of the spectacle conjured up on my screen. Housemarque has also taken a brilliantly clever approach to accessibility, ensuring that players familiar with this genre can still find their own way. The fact that I’ve been living in a cocoon for the past few days to write this review of Saros says it all. This is an unrivalled masterpiece and, at the moment, my Game of the Year.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
As a follow up to Returnal, Saros is excellent. It builds on the foundations of Selene’s adventure and is a sensational slice of bullet-hell shooter goodness.
“Saros” is a powerhouse. Visually, sonically, and mechanically, few action titles can match this adventure on Carcosa. Six years into its lifecycle, the PS5 finally gets its first truly must-have exclusive action shooter. Its finely balanced mix of offense and defense, breathtaking setting, and a solid—if somewhat clunky—story make this roguelite essential, even if you’re not typically a fan of shooters.
Review in German | Read full review
Saros isn’t just an evolution of Returnal; it’s the culmination of decades of mastery from Housemarque. A must-play game that showcases the PS5’s true potential. The studio hasn’t simply rested on the success of Returnal. It’s a game that manages to be faster, more beautiful and, above all, smarter in the way it respects the player’s time. By balancing challenging difficulty with addictive permanent progression and risk-based mechanics such as Eclipses, the studio has delivered what is, for me, the definitive experience in the roguelike genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The end result is a top notch when gameplay, entertainment value, and difficulty level are perfectly tuned to the same pitch.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
This is a great showcase for the PS5 and well worth a look for those seeking a sci-fi epic packed full of challenge.
Saros pushes the envelope on multiple fronts, changing the roguelike genre in ways that's more player-friendly than ever while taking advantage of the PS5's DualSense controller in novel fashions. It's near perfect in several ways, even if its story lacks the satisfaction that its gunplay otherwise provides.
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Saros isn't just about making it through a strange planet; it's also about mastering chaos, understanding how systems function under intense stress, and gradually turning vast amounts of uncertainty into controlled precision.
Saros stands tall as a bold evolution for Housemarque, proving the studio wasn’t content with simply recreating the magic of Returnal.
Saros is brilliant from every angle, even if it's not as risky and far more innovative as Returnal . Its highly sophisticated gameplay fits perfectly with beautiful level design and its roguelite structure.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Saros is Housemarque's ultimate creation; the culmination of years of hard work and experimentation. Returnal is Game of the Year quality, no doubt. But Saros has taken what Returnal offered and refined it, only adding to the formula until the end result is Housemarque's finest release yet. In a sea of great April games, Saros' excellence stands out as another Game of the Year contender.