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Housemarque

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Wolfs Gaming Blog

Saros Is Selling Slower Than Returnal

Sony's exclusive game Saros has sold over 300,000 copies in its first two weeks, generating approximately $22 million. Despite the availability of more PlayStation 5 consoles compared to when Returnal launched, Saros is selling at a slower pace due to a more crowded gaming market. The article suggests that while initial sales are soft, word-of-mouth could still boost its long-term performance.

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Gamespot

Saros May Struggle To Recoup Its Budget, Despite Great Reviews - Analyst

Despite receiving excellent reviews and being a contender for Game of the Year, Housemarque's Saros may struggle to recoup its reported $76 million development budget due to slower sales compared to its predecessor, Returnal. Analyst Rhys Elliott estimates Saros sold around 300,000 copies in its first two weeks, with a significant portion of players having previously purchased Returnal. The game's performance is being closely watched as an indicator of Sony's strategy for its PlayStation 5 exclusives.

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Game Hype UK

Review – Saros (PS5)

Saros is an intense triple-A roguelike that builds upon the foundation of Returnal, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience. The game features stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and exceptional utilization of the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller. While the narrative can occasionally slow the pace, the core gameplay loop and innovative features make it a standout exclusive.

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Push Square

Poll: Is Saros Better Than Returnal?

A poll asks players to compare Saros, the spiritual successor to Returnal, to its predecessor. While Saros refines gameplay and streamlines progression, some players find it less mysterious and more accessible than Returnal. The article discusses Housemarque's evolution from arcade titles to intense third-person shooters with both games.

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Two Average Gamers

Single-Player Alternatives to Helldivers 2 (2026) | TAG

This guide recommends seven single-player games that capture the intense combat, mission structure, or cathartic violence found in Helldivers 2, without requiring multiplayer coordination. Titles like Remnant II and Deep Rock Galactic offer similar gameplay loops, while Doom Eternal and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 provide pure shooter catharsis. Returnal and Risk of Rain 2 offer run-based progression, and Metro Exodus provides a more atmospheric, deliberate experience.

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Gamespot

Saros Doesn’t Like Being a Roguelike, So Why Is It One?

Saros, the spiritual successor to Housemarque's roguelike hit Returnal, is criticized for shunning its predecessor's genre conventions in an effort to be more approachable. Despite technically featuring roguelike elements like randomized loot and levels, the game is seen as hollowed out due to stunted build variety and a lack of interlocking systems. This departure from its roguelike roots, while aiming for broader appeal, results in a discordant experience that undermines both its gameplay and narrative potential.

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Push Square

Poor Start for PS5 Exclusive Saros as First Sales Data Emerges

Sony's new PlayStation 5 exclusive, Saros, has had a slow start according to its first sales data. The game ranked 11th in North America and 17th in Europe on the PS Store charts for April, and third in the UK physical sales chart. While it is the number one new release on Amazon for PS5 games, its debut is considered weak for a high-profile release.

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FZ.se

Säsong 9 slut – dubbla vinnare i FZ High Score!

The ninth season of FZ High Score has concluded, with Minnels and RobertWarrior94 sharing first place with 70 points each, earning them exclusive t-shirts. The season featured reviews for Kiln, Aphelion, and Saros, with Saros receiving the highest average score. Season 10 of FZ High Score is now underway.

Gaming Bolt

Saros Patch is Here, Brings Balancing Changes, Fixes, and New UI Color Settings

Housemarque has released a new patch for their game Saros, introducing several balancing changes and fixes. The update includes adjustments to the Power Generator perk and Powered Dash artifact, improved bullet bounce accuracy, and UI enhancements such as new color settings for the HUD. Minor performance optimizations and bug fixes are also part of this patch.

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Adventure Gamers

Here’s how many Acts Saros has, so you can lock in on rolling the credits

The game Saros is structured into three Acts, with eight Biomes and a hub area called The Passage. Completing the third Act unlocks an epilogue that allows players to pursue a secret ending. This guide helps players understand the game's structure and their progress through its narrative.

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FZ.se

Finlands humor är vår

Finnish game developers often lean into stereotypes of being stoic and creating challenging games, as seen in titles like Max Payne, Trials HD, and Returnal. However, a distinct sense of dark humor and self-awareness, exemplified by Remedy Entertainment's games, also characterizes their output. This blend of difficulty, dark comedy, and sometimes absurd situations creates a unique and beloved identity for Finnish game development.

Nintendo Life

UK Charts: Tomodachi Life Beats Saros To Reclaim Number One

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has reclaimed the number one spot on the UK physical charts, pushing Capcom's Pragmata down to tenth place. Saros, a new PS5 exclusive, also failed to reach the top, debuting in third. Other notable entries include EA SPORTS FC 26 climbing to fourth and Invincible VS entering the charts at seventh.

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Destructoid

Saros review – Action combat excellence with a gorgeous view

Saros is a visually stunning third-person action shooter from Housemarque that excels in its combat mechanics and satisfying controls. While the plot and characters may not be the most engaging aspect, the core gameplay loop, featuring satisfying combat, roguelike elements, and enjoyable traversal, makes it a must-play for fans of the genre. The game also makes excellent use of the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller's adaptive triggers.

Destructoid

Culture warriors are using AI to drag Saros into gross misinformation campaign

The PlayStation 5 exclusive game Saros is facing a misinformation campaign, with some individuals spreading false plot spoilers and engaging in "anti-woke" backlash, partly due to the game's lead actor, Rahul Kohli. Despite these efforts, Saros has achieved strong sales and positive reception, with developers Housemarque hoping the discussion can lead to more positive publicity.

Gaming Bolt

SAROS Guide – How To Get The True Ending

This guide details how to unlock the true ending in the game SAROS. Players must first complete the game once, then return to the Yellow Shore biome. At the final boss, instead of delivering the killing blow, players should walk into the portal to trigger the alternate, true ending.

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Gaming Bolt

Saros is Incredible, But Housemarque Has a Lot Riding On It

Despite Saros's critical acclaim and improved accessibility compared to Returnal, concerns remain about its commercial success and Housemarque's future within Sony. The article discusses the sales figures of Returnal and the financial pressures on studios, questioning if Saros's larger scope and development costs will appease executives, especially after recent layoffs and cancellations within PlayStation Studios.

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Giant Bomb

Saros Review | Giant Bomb

Saros, a new roguelite from Housemarque, evolves the formula of Returnal with new mechanics like energy management and a shield-punch maneuver, but ultimately feels too stretched out. Despite strong performances and engaging combat, the game's familiar cosmic horror themes and overly aggressive upgrade system trivialize the challenge, making it less than the sum of its parts. The reviewer found the game to be a good, playable experience but not as compelling as its predecessor.

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Retro Gamer

I asked Saros' art director about the game's obsession with hands, and got a fascinating insight into how…

Housemarque's art director Simone Silvestri discusses the thematic significance of hands in the game Saros, explaining how the motif ties into the central themes of greed and corrupted enlightenment. The visual style, a fusion of neoclassicism and Italian futurism, was developed to complement the game's fast-paced action and narrative.

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Push Square

Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 631

Several Push Square staff members share their gaming plans for the weekend, with titles like Saros, Replaced on Steam Deck, and Killzone: Mercenary on PlayStation Vita being mentioned. Other staff are diving into NTE, updating Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation VR2, and playing Vampire Crawlers.

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Giant Bomb

Saros Review

Saros, a game from Housemarque, evolves the roguelite formula established by Returnal with engaging combat mechanics like active reload and a new shield-punch system. Despite these improvements and strong performances from its cast, the game suffers from pacing issues, stretching its content too thin and making the challenge trivial due to aggressive permanent upgrades. While still a good game with excellent gameplay and visuals, Saros ultimately feels like less than the sum of its parts.