Saros: Release Date, PS5 Pro Features, and Housemarque's Ambitious Roguelike Shooter Explained

What if every time you died, the world itself remembered and grew more dangerous? This is the core promise of Housemarque's Saros, an ambitious sci-fi action-adventure shooter that aims to trap players in a compelling loop on the mysterious planet Carcosa. Building on the genre-defining legacy of Returnal, the studio's next title represents a confident evolution, blending razor-sharp combat with deep roguelike progression and a haunting narrative mystery. With a confirmed release date of April 30, 2026, and its status as a PlayStation 5 console exclusive—complete with tailored PS5 Pro enhancements—Saros is poised to be one of the most intriguing titles on the horizon. Here is everything we know about the journey into eclipse.

The Journey to Carcosa: Release Timeline & Platforms

The road to Saros began with a cryptic teaser in February 2025, introducing the haunting world of Carcosa. Housemarque and publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment continued to build anticipation with deeper showcases in September 2025 and at The Game Awards 2025 later that year. The picture came into full focus during PlayStation's State of Play on February 12, 2026, where new gameplay, systems, and edition details were fully unveiled.

That presentation confirmed the final release date: April 30, 2026. This marked a slight delay from a previously targeted March 20 window, a move likely taken to ensure the game's complex systems are polished. At launch, Saros will be a PS5 console exclusive. The developers have confirmed the title will leverage the extra power of the PS5 Pro, promising enhanced visual fidelity and performance. As for a PC release, history suggests it's a strong future possibility given Sony's current strategy with its first-party titles, but no official announcement has been made. For now, the journey to Carcosa begins solely on PlayStation.

A World Under Eclipse: Story, Setting, and Cast

Saros strands players on Carcosa, a shape-shifting and profoundly hostile alien world. The central narrative hook is a celestial mystery: an ominous, perpetual eclipse hangs in the sky, its influence corrupting the planet and warping the flow of time itself. Into this nightmare steps the protagonist, Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer voiced by Rahul Kohli (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass). Devraj is on a personal mission, searching for someone amidst the chaos, but finds himself seemingly trapped in a confounding time loop with each death.

He is not entirely alone. Another key figure in this mystery is Nitya Chandran, performed by Shunori Ramanathan. While her exact role remains guarded, her presence suggests the story will grapple with more than just survival. Housemarque emphasizes that Saros is a narrative-driven, single-player experience, using its roguelike structure not to reset the plot, but to deepen the mystery of Carcosa and Arjun's place within it with every cycle.

Core Gameplay Loop: Combat, Death, and Progression

At its heart, Saros is built on a philosophy Housemarque calls "Come Back Stronger." This is not a punishing, back-to-zero roguelike. Upon death, players will retain their primary weapons—their main firearm and a powerful "Soltari Power Weapon"—losing only other collected gear and resources. This design choice seems aimed at reducing potential frustration, encouraging aggressive play rather than overly cautious resource hoarding. The true progression happens in The Passage, a hub where two key resources, Lucenite and Halcyon, collected during runs, are spent on permanent upgrades for Arjun.

Combat is a fast-paced blend of Soltari human technology and scavenged Carcosan alien weaponry. Core to survival are Arjun's innate abilities: the Soltari Shield for deflecting attacks and a Second Chance ability that offers a brief window for revival after a fatal blow. Further customization comes from the Armor Matrix system, which allows players to socket modifications into their suit, tailoring defensive stats like health, shield strength, and ability duration to fit their playstyle.

Key Mechanics: Eclipse Escalation and World Shaping

Saros introduces its signature mechanic to ensure no two runs are ever the same: Eclipse Escalation. With each attempt on Carcosa, the world itself becomes more corrupted and dangerous. When the eclipse phase activates, the environment shifts: new hazards emerge, enemies fire corrupted, tracking projectiles, and even the atmospheric score by renowned composer Sam Slater (Returnal, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II) distorts and warps. This system creates a dynamic, ever-increasing challenge that layers onto the core roguelike randomness.

To navigate this evolving threat, players have strategic tools. The World Dial system allows for fast travel to previously unlocked biomes, enabling run customization and targeted exploration. Furthermore, a Carcosan Modifiers menu lets players directly tailor their challenge. By balancing "Protection Modifiers" (which reduce difficulty) against "Trial Modifiers" (which increase it), players can fine-tune the experience, making it more accessible or brutally demanding as they choose.

Editions, Pricing, and Early Access

Saros will be available in two digital editions at launch. The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99. Pre-ordering any edition will grant the "Hands of Shore Armour" cosmetic set.

The Digital Deluxe Edition, priced at $79.99, offers significant additional value, primarily through 48-hour early access. Owners can begin their loop on Carcosa starting April 28, 2026, two days before the standard launch. This edition also includes three exclusive cosmetic armor sets inspired by PlayStation's flagship worlds: one echoing the biomechanical aesthetic of Returnal, another drawing from the Norse mythology of God of War, and a third based on the feudal Japan of Ghost of Yōtei.

Saros represents Housemarque's confident stride forward, evolving the roguelike formula they helped redefine. By blending their signature, adrenaline-fueled combat with a compelling sci-fi mystery, deep player-driven progression, and the groundbreaking Eclipse Escalation system, it has all the ingredients of a standout title. If Housemarque successfully blends these elements, Saros has the potential not just to follow Returnal, but to carve out its own distinct and memorable niche in the genre. Mark your calendars for April 30, 2026, and prepare to see if you can unravel the secrets of Carcosa when it launches on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro.