Saros Reviews
Saros takes everything great about Returnal and builds something more ambitious, more accessible, and more human around it. The bullet hell action is easily the best yet on PS5 and the permanent unlocks makes every run feel meaningful. The visuals, audio, and performance all hit the high standard you'd expect from a top-tier Sony PS5 exclusive.
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
Saros is a fantastic game, but probably not for everyone. The difficulty remains high, even though Housemarque has clearly tried to make it a bit more accessible with shorter runs and permanent upgrades. That certainly helps, but this remains a game that requires patience and perseverance. Moreover, you have to hold out for a while, because the game only really starts doing cool things after the second boss. From that moment on, everything falls into place better: more weapons, more gadgets, more variety in builds, and much more interesting combat. Meanwhile, the story is somewhat stronger and more prominent than in Returnal, but it still won't win any awards, partly because the characters you encounter remain quite one-dimensional. Fortunately, that isn't the most important thing here. Once Saros really gets going, there are few roguelikes that reach the same level. It is a worthy successor to Returnal and, in many ways, even a better game.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
"An action-packed experience that challenges you every turn" Saros delivers a skill-based experience with real-time interaction in a diverse and aggressive environment. The strong, cohesive design puts the experience on a different level, challenging the player at every stage. While there are some weaknesses in the visuals and cinematic presentation, the core gameplay is characterized by clear visuals and infrastructure. This game focuses more on performance and skill than narrative, and it succeeds in this.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Even with these comparisons, Saros’ story remains an overall disappointment and is another reason why the game is an unsatisfactory follow-up to Returnal.
Saros is clearly made for people who liked the way Returnal was set up but wanted something that was more flexible and forgiving without losing the intensity. It keeps the core identity of Housemarque’s design philosophy intact—fast combat, tight controls, and high-pressure encounters—but layers it with systems that reward persistence rather than perfection.
Housemarque took a massive swing with the permanent progression in Saros and absolutely nailed the execution. Grinding for Lucenite and rare Halcyons takes the frustrating sting out of the studio’s notoriously brutal combat. The Soltari Shield revitalizes the flow of battle by forcing you to play aggressively to survive. If you love high-intensity action and building an unstoppable character, Saros is worth every penny.
The Finnish studio Housemarque reimagines the journey seen in Returnal with Saros, their latest project that improves upon the experience of its spiritual predecessor. It is an adventure that will leave no one indifferent, especially those who crave action and adrenaline.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Saros is a ton of fun to play, especially if you prefer a character leveling system to a ‘git gud learning patterns’ one. It is stunning to look at and has an excellent soundtrack. An emphasis on its weak story wastes some solid acting performances and incredible art style.
After around 20 hours of playtime, Saros turns out to be a solid Returnal 1.5 but unfortunately not much more than that. The new approach to the game structure and the inclusion of rather generic NPCs make the experience feel less mysterious and somewhat diluted compared to its outstanding predecessor. However, if you can live with a simpler story and are open to new gameplay ideas, you will definitely have just as much fun here as you did with Returnal.
Review in German | Read full review
Saros stands out as an exceptional roguelite, built around a life‑and‑death cycle that’s as addictive as it is relentless. The constant urge for “just one more run” speaks to its finely tuned design, while the stunning visuals elevate the experience into something truly memorable. It’s a must‑play for fans of the genre and one of the year’s essential releases.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Given the recent price hike of the PlayStation 5 console, is it really worth buying a toned-down positive feedback-filled version of Returnal, albeit with a shinier coat of paint? Especially with less expensive roguelite and shmup fares out there? [...] What is on tap right now is decent, not remarkable given the studio's pedigree. Unless this is your first Housemarque roguelite bullet hell experience, wait for a discount.
HouseMarque's decision to create a game that's different from *Returnal*, rather than a "sequel" in the traditional sense, was an excellent one.
Review in Greek | Read full review
SAROS Review: It's time to dust off the PS5 for a review of Housemarque's dark sci-fi rogue-like game, Saros.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Saros confirms Housemarque’s growth, delivering a spiritual successor to Returnal that is more accessible, polished and self-assured. Whilst it sacrifices some of the predecessor’s element of surprise, the game stands out for its extremely solid combat system, a well-executed evolution of the formula and top-tier technical execution. Some concerns remain regarding longevity, as once the campaign is complete, additional activities are virtually non-existent, leaving a sense of regret at having to leave an experience too soon—one that, given the quality of its gameplay and the solidity of its structure, deserved to keep us on Carcosa for much longer.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If it hasn’t been clear up until now, let’s state it plainly here: Saros is, to date, the best game of 2026. We’re talking about a game that’s much more accessible to newcomers to the genre. A storyline that’s more fleshed out than their previous work. We’re talking about new features that elevate the game to the highest strata. And finally, a playtime that adapts to each player’s pace (yet remains more than respectable for the most experienced players). Saros improves and even transforms the genre. Few can boast of such an achievement.
Review in French | Read full review
Saros will not only satisfy Returnal fans, but also has the potential to attract a new audience with its intense combat system and wonderful cosmic horror setting. We just hope that the difficulty spikes, how overwhelming it can be at times, and some narrative issues don't scare off some players too much.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Housemarque is back with an exquisite shooter that builds on the foundation of Returnal to forge its own identity, one that undoubtedly reaches new heights of excellence. Each cycle is a new opportunity to uncover the secrets of Carcosa or the past and motivations of Arjun Devraj. I have no doubt that Housemarque has just created one of the best PlayStation 5 titles, one that retains the magic of Returnal but is much clearer and more enjoyable.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A blend of oppressive atmosphere and raw mechanical thrill you rarely find these days. Saros isn't just a better Returnal - it's proof that Housemarque has no equal in this genre.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Housemarque has once again made one of the best-playing PS5 games and a shooter that handles wonderfully as you find upgrades and create a build to take on difficult bosses.