Whenever we take a look at some of the games that already feel flawless to a point that there’s almost nothing to improve upon them, Returnal comes to mind. When it launched, it was this superb combination of bullet hell with roguelite, accompanied by a compelling story, and some of the best gunplay and gameplay loops we’ve seen. With that in mind, it was hard to imagine something topping it, but Housemarque has proven us wrong again. Many Saros previews are out, and it seems to go beyond refining the amazing formula we saw in Returnal.
Housemarque’s Triumphant Return
If you didn’t know, this week was a big one for Saros, as several outlets got the opportunity to play three hours of this upcoming roguelike. Now, while many of us knew about some of the systems due to the several showcases this game has appeared on, it is different when people actually get some hands-on experience, and luckily, the reactions have been more than favorable.
For starters, it would seem the game still has that iconic Returnal difficulty, but it will feature more accessibility options, such as letting you manually save and also having some auto-save moments. This will be extremely helpful, as games with the roguelite branding tend to be daunting for some players.
Besides that, narrative seems to play an even bigger part this time around. While many enjoyed Returnal‘s plot, not many were able to see it to completion or even pay attention to it due to how gameplay-focused that entry was. Saros, on the other hand, is looking for a way to make its narrative more evident and easier to follow.
While Returnal excelled with solitary dread and a slow burn story, Saros proves group dynamics are as perfect a canvas to explore the horror genre and give an urgent propulsion to the story from its opening moments.
Gillen McAllister via PlayStation Blog
But that isn’t the only thing that feels different from Returnal, as Saros is also implementing gameplay mechanics that will feel familiar, yet also brand-new for those who skipped Housemarque’s previous title.
For instance, many weapons will continue changing their firing modes depending on how you press your adaptive triggers. Yet it seems that tapping or holding the R1 and L1 buttons will also play an important role now.
Another big thing is the Soltari shield, which offers a risky yet rewarding type of gameplay loop. According to the previews and information we’ve seen from certain showcases, Arjun can deploy his shield and use it to absorb some of the blue projectiles coming his way. By doing so, he can then trigger a powerful attack to damage foes. Still, since the Shield has a limited amount of energy, you’ll have to weigh in when’s the best time to use it, and when you should focus on dodging the dozens of attacks flying on your screen.
Last but not least, we’ve all heard about the shapeshifting world of Carcosa, but now, we know the eclipse we’ve seen in some footage will provide something beyond a jaw-dropping scene. As reported by some outlets, when the eclipse happens, and it will happen in certain parts of the game, everything gets altered. Some attack patterns change, loot becomes more powerful, yet more dangerous to grab, and other things might throw players off after they’ve grown accustomed to their regular runs.
The Next Roguelite Masterpiece
Overall, and judging by these 3-hour previews, Saros is looking like yet another Housemarque staple, or in other words, an action roguelite masterpiece. The great thing for all gamers is that the wait is almost over, as we’re only a couple of weeks away from diving into Carcosa and experiencing some of what the foundations of Returnal established, but in a grander, more accessible, yet equally chaotic way.
