Returnal
News, coverage and analysis tracking Returnal across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Games Inbox: Is Saros on PS5 a disappointment?
Readers discuss their experiences and opinions on recent games and industry trends. One reader expresses disappointment with Saros despite enjoying Returnal, citing repetitive environments and a less engaging skill tree. Another reader laments the lack of a new Star Wars Battlefront game and questions the direction of Star Wars games. Other topics include concerns about the longevity of game companies, the potential for Grand Theft Auto 6 to include subscription services, and the ongoing buzz around Resident Evil.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saros trophy list includes an unexpected tribute to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The trophy list for the PlayStation 5 game Saros includes an unexpected tribute to the upcoming title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. One trophy, 'Carcosan Cartographer,' requires players to survive 33 expeditions using 'Carcosan Modifiers,' which are difficulty tweaks activated before a run.
Saros is finally here, but how long does it take to beat?
The game Saros, developed by Housemarque, offers a playthrough length of approximately 22-25 hours for the main story for average players, potentially dropping to 15 hours for skilled players familiar with similar titles like Returnal. Achieving 100% completion or the Platinum Trophy will require 30-45 hours of gameplay on PlayStation 5.
PS Studios Celebrates the Launch of PS5 Exclusive Saros with Brilliant Artwork
Housemarque's new PlayStation 5 exclusive, Saros, has launched, accompanied by celebratory artwork from various PlayStation Studios developers including Sucker Punch Productions, Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, and Insomniac Games. Atomic Heart developer Mundfish also joined in the well wishes. The article praises Saros as a fantastic and accessible experience, particularly for fans of Returnal.
Housemarque's Saros Directors: Our Greatest Influence Is Ourselves | HappyGamer
Housemarque directors revealed that their primary creative influence is the studio itself, rather than external games. This self-referential approach has defined their past successes with titles like Returnal and Resogun. While some question if this strategy is universally applicable, Housemarque's long history and technical mastery suggest their upcoming game, Saros, will continue this unique path.
Saros Was Made More Approachable Than Returnal So More Players Could Enjoy It
Housemarque's Gregory Louden and Matti Häkli explain that Saros was designed to be more approachable than Returnal to allow more players to enjoy the experience. While Saros offers more tools and modifiers for players to experiment with, they emphasize it is not necessarily easier, but rather provides more room to learn mechanics and achieve a flow state. The goal is to introduce more players to the Housemarque experience, potentially leading them to explore the studio's previous titles.
Saros directors say Housemarque's greatest influence is itself: "As much as we love other games, we wanted to…
Housemarque directors Gregory Louden and Simone Silvestri discuss the development of Saros, emphasizing that the studio's greatest influence is its own past work, citing Returnal and Nex Machina as key inspirations. They highlight a commitment to bold design, cosmic horror themes, and a self-perpetuating reverence for their established DNA, aiming to innovate while staying true to their unique identity.
Saros: How to Lower the Difficulty
This guide explains how to lower the difficulty in the roguelite action-adventure game Saros by utilizing its Carcosan Modifiers feature. Players can enable the 'Unlimited Protection Modifiers' option in the settings to apply buffs without needing to balance them with nerfs, allowing for a more casual experience without impacting rewards or trophies.
Brutal difficulty? Crushing bosses? Don't let them scare you off Saros, pleads PlayStation studios lead: "If this video game looks cool to you then IT IS FOR YOU"
Mihir Sheth, senior product developer director at PlayStation Studios, encourages players not to be deterred by Saros's difficulty, stating that the game is for anyone who finds it appealing. He highlights that Housemarque has included options to tailor the experience and preserve challenge, suggesting that players can adjust modifiers to make the game more approachable.
Saros: Carcosan Modifiers Guide
This guide explains the Carcosan Modifiers feature in Saros, a mechanic that allows players to customize their experience by applying buffs and debuffs. The feature unlocks after defeating the boss Bastion or by dying four times to the Prophet. Modifiers are activated when the balance dial is set to Balanced or Overloaded, and up to 12 can be used simultaneously.
Games Inbox: Will Marvel’s Wolverine be as good as Spider-Man 2?
Readers discuss the potential of Marvel's Wolverine compared to Marvel's Spider-Man 2, with concerns about its movement and gore. Other topics include the future of digital game distribution, the perceived audience for Steam Machines, and the implications of Nintendo's movie ventures. There's also commentary on game difficulty modifiers, the impact of Grand Theft Auto 6, and PlayStation's digital rights management.
Into the Depths of SAROS’ Carcosa with Housemarque
Housemarque's upcoming PlayStation 5 title, SAROS, is described as a spiritual successor to Returnal, featuring a dark science fiction narrative set on the corrupting planet Carcosa. Creative Director Gregory Louden and Art Director Simone Silvestri discussed the game's mechanics, including the 'eclipse' system that transforms the world and offers gameplay opportunities, as well as the ensemble cast, featuring actors like Jane Perry and Rahul Kohli.
Returnal Creators Reveal Saros as Dark Successor About Power and Greed | HappyGamer
Housemarque has revealed Saros as their next project, a successor to Returnal that will explore themes of obsession, greed, power, and corruption. The Finnish studio aims to build on the success of Returnal, which proved the viability of AAA roguelikes, by tackling darker subject matter. While details are scarce, the studio is expected to integrate these mature themes into gameplay mechanics on the PlayStation 5.
Pragmata and Saros give hope for the future of big budget video games
The release of new intellectual properties like Pragmata and Saros offers a hopeful contrast to the current trend of sequels and licensed games in the industry. These titles prioritize gameplay and unique experiences, a rarity in modern big-budget development. While Western publishers are increasingly risk-averse, focusing on live service games, Japanese developers like Capcom and Sony Interactive Entertainment are still willing to invest in new IPs, providing a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Games Inbox: What new characters will be in the next Smash Bros.?
Readers discuss potential new characters for a future Super Smash Bros. installment, suggesting characters from Resident Evil and other franchises. The discussion also touches on Nintendo's upcoming Direct presentations and the potential for lower-budget sequels for lapsed franchises like Star Fox and F-Zero.
