Saros launches March 20, 2026 on PS5 – first extended gameplay revealed
Housemarque reveals new combat systems and gameplay evolution
All of us at Housemarque are proud to finally share a first extended look at Saros, launching on March 20, 2026 on PS5, enhanced for PS5 Pro. This gameplay, captured at 60fps using Unreal Engine 5, shows our vision for a bold new sci-fi action experience, where deep third-person combat meets a mysterious world in constant flux.
The shape-shifting world of Carcosa
The story of Saros unfolds on Carcosa, a hostile alien planet that shifts and transforms with every death. Protagonist Arjun Devraj (played by Rahul Kohli) navigates ruins of a lost ancient civilization while a total eclipse looms. Along his journey, he encounters Nitya Chandran (Shunori Ramanthan), a key figure in the ensemble cast.
Carcosa is alive, unpredictable, and dangerous – every run reshapes the environment, creating fresh challenges and discoveries.
New combat systems and player abilities
Building on the acclaimed third-person action of Returnal, Saros introduces expanded mechanics and new ways to fight. Arjun’s Soltari combat suit offers dashing, melee, and aerial mobility, combined with an arsenal of Soltari human weapons and Carcosan alien technology.
Key features include:
- Soltari Shield: Absorb hostile projectiles and convert them into counterattacks.
- Carcosan Power Weapons: Transform Arjun’s arm into an eclipse-fueled weapon, unleashing devastating, customizable strikes.
- Permanent progression: Upgrade abilities and equipment after each run.
- Second Chance system: Harness eclipse corruption to resurrect once per run.
The result is a combat loop that rewards aggression, experimentation, and mastery.
Expanding storytelling in Saros
Narrative is at the heart of Saros. Through cinematics, haunting audio logs, Soltari holograms, and ensemble cast interactions, players uncover the mysteries of Carcosa. Each discovery sheds light on the lost colony, the eclipse’s twisted power, and Arjun’s place within it.
The game blends grounded dialogue with surreal sequences, pulling players deeper into its strange, atmospheric universe.
Dream team collaboration and soundtrack
Saros is the result of collaboration across Housemarque, XDEV, Nixxes, and PlayStation Studios Creative Arts. From cutting-edge gameplay systems to visual artistry and sound design, this partnership has allowed the team to push boundaries.
The score, composed by two-time Grammy Award-winner Sam Slater (Chernobyl, Joker, Mandy), mixes dark-electronic tones with drone-metal, creating a soundscape as unsettling and powerful as Carcosa itself.
Wishlist Saros on PlayStation Store now
Players can experience the mysteries, monsters, and action of Saros when it launches on PS5, March 20, 2026. Stay tuned for future updates, including deeper dives into the story, world, and music.