Housemarque has officially unveiled Saros, the much-anticipated successor to their 2022 hit, the roguelite shooter Returnal. Starring Rahul Kohli, Saros is set to launch in 2026 exclusively for PlayStation 5, with enhanced features for the PS5 Pro.

The announcement came during the recent PlayStation State of Play, where Saros was showcased with all the hallmarks of a Housemarque production. Players will step into the shoes of Arjun Devraj, a Solatri enforcer on a mission to uncover truths on a perilous, ever-changing planet shrouded in an eclipse and dominated by at least one colossal, formidable entity. The atmosphere and theme echo those of Returnal, with the tagline "come back stronger" hinting at the roguelike elements fans have come to love. The game's visuals, including a barrage of fireballs, are a nod to Housemarque's penchant for bullet-hell challenges.

Creative Director Gregory Louden describes Saros as the "ultimate evolution" of Housemarque's gameplay-centric approach. While it introduces a new single-player IP, it builds upon the third-person action mechanics established in Returnal. However, Saros differentiates itself with a focus on permanent resources and progression. Although the world of Saros shifts with each player's death, there's an opportunity to permanently enhance weapons and suits, adding a new layer of strategy and growth to the gameplay.

Further details about Saros are slated to be revealed later this year, with Housemarque planning to showcase an extended gameplay demonstration. For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from the PlayStation State of Play, be sure to check out our detailed recap.