Housemarque’s ‘Saros’ Gets Extended Gameplay Reveal and Confirmed Release Date at State of Play

The latest PlayStation State of Play delivered a massive update on Saros, the new game from Returnal developer, Housemarque. The showcase provided fans with an extended look at the intense third-person action and confirmed a definitive release date for the highly anticipated title.

The State of Play revealed that Saros will launch on PlayStation 5 on March 20, 2026. Housemarque, now a first-party PlayStation Studio, has designed Saros to be the spiritual successor and an evolution of the critically acclaimed roguelike mechanics established in Returnal, but with key differences in progression and setting.

H2. Gameplay Details: The Evolved Bullet-Hell Experience

The gameplay trailer showed off the signature high-octane, bullet-hell combat Housemarque is known for, now powered by Unreal Engine 5 for stunning visual effects and performance. The game stars actor Rahul Kohli (known for Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher) as the protagonist, Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer searching for a lost colony on the hostile alien planet Carcosa.

Key gameplay takeaways from the reveal:

• The Planet Carcosa: Like Atropos in Returnal, the planet is described as “shape-shifting,” indicating that the world and its biomes will change after each death.
• Permanent Progression: A major distinction from Returnal is the addition of “permanent resources and progression.” Players will be able to permanently upgrade their loadout of weapons and suit parts after death, ensuring that every run contributes to the overall strength of Arjun.
• New Combat Mechanics: The new footage highlighted a combat shield/parry mechanic, which can be used to absorb enemy projectiles and suggests a deeper level of defensive strategy alongside the signature dash and dodge moves.
• Second Chance System: The game will feature a “Second Chance” ability, offering players a one-time revive per run—a significant departure from the brutal, instant-reset mechanics of Returnal.
• Arjun’s Arsenal: Arjun can select a loadout that mixes “Soltari human weaponry” and “Carcosan alien weaponry,” with the trailer showcasing a powerful Soltari Phosphorous Shotgun.

Housemarque creative director Gregory Louden noted that the game is a “dream project” and will delve into a “haunting story” and a powerful character study, with Arjun Devraj being supported by a cast of ensemble characters, hinting at a potentially more narrative-focused experience than its predecessor.

The game is a PlayStation 5 exclusive and will feature enhancements for the PS5 Pro console at launch.