Saros is the next game from Returnal developer Housemarque. As an action-driven experience that sets out to tell an emotional story, it will see you take on the role of Arjun Devraj, who's said to be a Soltari Enforcer who's determined to find answers on the lost-colony world of Carcosa.
Excitingly, the PlayStation State of Play September 2025 showcase just gave us our first look at gameplay, and also confirmed the official release dates, which means its locked in as one of the most exciting new games coming our way in 2026. And alongside the lineup of upcoming PS5 game, we also know it's is also confirmed to be one of the forthcoming PS5 Pro-enhanced games, too.
Setting out to build on the action and mysterious storytelling the studio has brought us before, Saros promises to be the "ultimate evolution" of Housemarque's game-play first experience. And as Returnal is considered to be one of the best roguelike games in recent memory, it's exciting to know we're set to see something new from the studio. For a recap of everything that's been revealed so far, read on below for an overview on Saros.
Saros release date speculation
The Saros release date is currently set for March 20, 2026 on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
After initially getting a 2026 launch window during February 2025 PlayStation State of Play showcase, Housemarque revealed the official release date during the September 2025 State of Play, which also gave us our very first look at gameplay, with creative director Gregory Louden stating that "next year is when you'll be able to play Saros on PS5 and PS5 Pro".
This year marked the 30th anniversary of Housemarque, so announcing a new game and then confirming its release date is certainly a great way to celebrate.
While you wait it out for Saros' arrival in 2026, you can head over to our list of the best space games to play today to get your sci-fi fix.
Saros platforms
So far, the only platforms confirmed for Saros are PS5 and PS5 Pro.
That's right, it looks like we have another PS5 exclusive on our hands! While some PS5 exclusives have eventually made their way to PC, such as Death Stranding, and The Last of Us, we're still uncertain if we can expect to see Saros get the same treatment.
It may become another Bloodborne, which still hasn't made a PC appearance for years now. Returnal did come to PC, so hopefully Housemarque's new game also follows suit.
Saros trailer
The first cinematic trailer for Saros was shown during the February 2025 PlayStation State of Play showcase, and we're super intrigued by its brutal premise. In the clip, we see Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer, on the planet Carcosa. Looking out across a still ocean, a creature with multiple hands emerges while Arjun gets his gun ready before the trailer cuts to the game's title card.
The trailer may not show a lot in terms of gameplay, but it does set the Dune-like vibe of the game and is very dramatic. We are definitely intrigued and anxious to see more!
Saros setting and story
According to Housemarque's website, Saros follows the "haunting story of a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse." You'll play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer who is desperately searching for something (or someone). The problem is that he seems to be stuck in some sort of time loop as he works to complete his mission.
In the cinematic trailer we hear Arjun's voice actor Rahul Kohli (of Midnight Mass fame) say the lines: "Every time the sun dies, madness reigns. Then everything begins again. But after every death, I always come back stronger." As a monster emerges in the teaser, Arjun then says a very clear message to an unknown being. "I know that you are here, and I will find you."
In a PlayStation Blog following the September State of Play showcase in 2025, Louden shined a light on Arjun's journey a little more in the gameplay shown (which you can watch just below):
"We see our protagonist Arjun Devraj (performed by Rahul Kohli) exploring the planet as a total eclipse nears," Louden writes. "Along the way he finds Nitya Chandran (performed by Shunori Ramanthan), one of our ensemble cast, and a key character. The stunning environment Arjun explores is that of a lost ancient civilization fueled by the twisted enlightenment of the eclipse. This is just one of the biomes our amazing team on Saros are creating."
Saros gameplay
Saros is an action game that will see you having to play out multiple days on the harsh planet of Carcosa. We got our very first look at Saros gameplay during the PlayStation State of Play September 2025 showcase. Narrated by Louden who guided us through the action, we got to see some abilities and combat features we'll be able to use as Arjun on the "shape-shifting planet of Carcosa".
The first power you get to see during the footage above is the defensive Soltari Shield, which can be used by holding R1 to "defend yourself and absorb projectiles". Then you can "hit back hard using your power weapon" by holding the L2 Adaptive Trigger. Finally, Louden shows us the Second Chance ability, which allows you to revive on first death. Interestingly, as Louden explains, this power is "part of our permanent progression system, which means you will always come back stronger".
As Arjun is said to be a character who is determined to find answers on the planet of Carcosa, we're shown one of the ways we can root out answers, with a "Soltari Hololog", which shows the figure of a woman. Interestingly, Arjun appears to have a very strong reaction to the log, sayings "hold on for me. I will find you, I promise!", which suggests he has a connection to this person in the log.
In the PlayStation blog that followed the showcase, Louden offered some more details, explaining that, "Arjun's Soltari advanced combat suit allows him to dash, melee, jump, and more."
"At the start of every run you will select your loadout from a mix of Soltari human weaponry and Carcosan alien weaponry," Louden continues. "In this video, Arjun is using the Soltari Phosphorous Shotgun to defend himself and melt the hostile machines housed in the lost ancient city. As you can see from our extended gameplay, you can expect spectacular bullet patterns from enemies, and brutal weapons to use which fuel the sci-fi power fantasy."
During the first February PlayStation State of Play showcase, Louden explained that "Saros is the ultimate evolution of the Housemarque gameplay-first experience." While the game "builds" on Returnal's action, it will offer more long-term progression systems, which we got a hint of with the Second Chance ability, which is tied to its permanent progression system which allows you to permanently upgrade your loadout and parts of your suit each time you come back, making Arjun stronger with every run.
Can you pre-order Saros?
No, you can't pre-order Saros just yet, sorry folks. However, considering how the game is scheduled for 2026, we may get a clearer idea of when we can expect to see pre-orders go live soon.
On the Housemarque website, the team has stated that we'll be getting more information in the future. Once we have a release date, we'll probably get news on pre-orders along with it.
While we wait for more news, you can dive into our list of the best roguelike games in the meantime to scratch any action heavy itches you may have!
For more upcoming titles, check out our lists of all the new PC games and upcoming Xbox Series X games in the works.
