SAROS Revealed: Housemarque's Next PS5 Exclusive Launches April 2026

Housemarque, the acclaimed Finnish studio behind Returnal and Resogun, has unveiled their next PlayStation 5 exclusive: SAROS. The third-person action game takes players to the enigmatic off-world colony of Carcosa, where an eternal eclipse shrouds a world filled with deadly creatures and ancient mysteries. Sony Interactive Entertainment will publish the title when it launches on April 30, 2026.

A World Under Eternal Eclipse

SAROS transports players to Carcosa, an off-world colony trapped beneath an ominous eclipse where light itself becomes a precious resource. The colony teems with hostile life forms that thrive in the darkness, and humanity's presence hangs by a thread. Something catastrophic befell this lost settlement, and the consequences have transformed Carcosa into a nightmare realm.

Housemarque describes this as their biggest and most ambitious story yet, following "the haunting story of a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse." The planet's ecosystem has adapted to perpetual twilight in disturbing ways. Bioluminescent predators hunt in packs, massive creatures lurk in the deepest shadows, and the remnants of whatever civilization existed before hint at dark secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Unlike Returnal's roguelike structure, SAROS features permanent progression - every upgrade, ability, and piece of equipment you acquire stays with you throughout your journey. This represents a significant departure from Housemarque's previous title, offering a more traditional action game structure while maintaining the studio's signature intensity.

Meet Arjun Devraj, Soltari Enforcer

Players assume the role of Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer portrayed by Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher, iZombie). Arjun arrives on Carcosa to investigate the lost colony, but his mission quickly spirals into a fight for survival against the world's nightmarish inhabitants.

Kohli brings his signature charisma and dramatic range to the role, following his acclaimed performances in Mike Flanagan's horror anthology series. His casting signals Housemarque's commitment to cinematic storytelling alongside their trademark gameplay excellence.

Jane Perry, who delivered the haunting performance as Selene Vassos in Returnal, returns in SAROS as Sheridan Bouchard. Her return confirms Housemarque's dedication to building a strong ensemble cast, with additional NPC characters to be revealed in future announcements.

Housemarque's Arcade Legacy Evolved

Founded in 1995, Housemarque built their reputation on arcade-perfect gameplay with titles like Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Alienation, Nex Machina, and Matterfall. The studio's acquisition by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2021 following Returnal's success marked their transition to AAA development.

SAROS represents the evolution of everything Housemarque has learned across three decades of game development. Their signature bullet-hell combat returns with devastating effect, now rendered in stunning third-person perspective. Players will face overwhelming waves of projectiles while mastering devastating new abilities.

The Parry System

One of the most significant additions to SAROS is the new Parry mechanic. With perfect timing on R1, players can reflect certain projectiles back at enemies, destroying or staggering them. This creates a risk-reward dynamic where skilled players can turn enemy attacks into devastating counterstrikes.

The combat system emphasizes: - Third-person shooting with responsive, precise controls - Parry mechanics for deflecting enemy fire with perfect timing - Dodge and weave through intricate bullet patterns - Powerful abilities tied to the eclipse's mysterious energy - Weapon variety including ranged and melee options - Combo systems rewarding aggressive, skillful play

Creatures of the Eclipse

Carcosa's wildlife has adapted to the eternal darkness in terrifying ways. From swarms of bioluminescent predators to massive apex creatures, every encounter tests your skills and reflexes.

The trailer showcased several enemy types including fast-moving swarm creatures that attack in coordinated groups, towering behemoths that dominate entire arenas, and what appears to be corrupted mechanical entities left behind by previous inhabitants of Carcosa.

Enemy design reflects Housemarque's expertise in creating memorable adversaries. Each creature type demands different tactical approaches, and the game's ecosystem creates emergent combat scenarios where multiple threat types clash simultaneously.

Permanent Progression - Not a Roguelike

Creative director Gregory Louden explained that SAROS stands apart from Returnal's roguelike mechanics through its permanent progression systems. "A key gameplay distinction between Saros and Returnal is permanent resources and progression making every death valuable," Louden stated.

After every death, players face a changed world, but in SAROS you retain your progress. Players can "choose and permanently upgrade your loadout from an evolving set of weapons and suit parts." This means:

• Death is valuable - You return stronger each time
• Permanent weapon upgrades that persist across deaths
• Suit part enhancements that accumulate over your journey
• Dynamic world changes following each death
• No lost progress Everything you earn stays with you

This approach makes SAROS more accessible than Returnal while maintaining challenge. Players who struggled with Returnal's punishing structure may find SAROS more welcoming, while veterans will appreciate the refined combat systems and deeper progression.

Stunning Visual Fidelity

Built exclusively for PlayStation 5, SAROS leverages the console's power to deliver stunning visuals that push the boundaries of what's possible on the platform. Ray-traced lighting brings the eclipse's eerie glow to life, casting long shadows across alien landscapes while bioluminescent creatures illuminate the darkness.

Housemarque has stated they "cannot wait to share more about our game, how we push the PS5 hardware." The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add tactile dimension to every weapon and ability, creating an immersive combat experience.

PS5 Pro owners will enjoy additional visual enhancements. Given Sony's push for Pro-enhanced titles, expect higher resolution modes, improved ray tracing, and enhanced frame rate options.

Exploration and Discovery

Beyond combat, SAROS encourages deep exploration of Carcosa's environments. Ancient structures hint at civilizations that came before, and uncovering their secrets appears central to the narrative. What happened to this lost colony? What caused the eclipse that now shrouds everything in darkness?

Environmental storytelling plays a crucial role, with visual details and discoverable elements painting a picture of Carcosa's fall from grace. The colony wasn't always a nightmare - something changed it, and piecing together that mystery drives the narrative forward.

Delayed for Perfection

SAROS was originally scheduled for March 20, 2026, but Housemarque announced a delay to April 30, 2026 "to make sure that Saros exceeds our vision." This extra development time demonstrates the studio's commitment to delivering a polished experience worthy of their growing reputation.

For players eager to dive in immediately, the Digital Deluxe Edition offers 48-hour early access before the official launch date.

From Returnal to SAROS

Returnal launched in April 2021 to critical acclaim, winning numerous Game of the Year awards and establishing Housemarque as a premier PlayStation studio. The game's blend of roguelike mechanics, bullet-hell combat, and psychological horror created something genuinely unique in the AAA space.

SAROS builds on that foundation while charting new territory. The shift from roguelike to permanent progression represents Housemarque listening to player feedback while refusing to compromise on the intense, skill-based gameplay that defines their work.

PlayStation 5 Exclusive

SAROS launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on April 30, 2026. The game will be available for both standard PS5 and PS5 Pro with enhanced features. No PC or other platform releases have been announced, positioning SAROS as a major PS5 exclusive for Sony's 2026 lineup.

The April 2026 release window places SAROS exactly five years after Returnal's launch, bookending a half-decade of growth for Housemarque as a first-party Sony studio.