"A masterpiece heir to Returnal" — Saros scores 91 on OpenCritic

The action game Saros from Finnish studio Housemarque has received high praise from gaming journalists. The rating on Metacritic is 88, while on OpenCritic it stands at 91 based on 41 reviews. This makes the PlayStation 5 exclusive one of the highest‑rated projects of 2026.

Saros is not a direct sequel, but rather a spiritual successor to Returnal that has become more approachable. The developers took note of criticism aimed at its hardcore predecessor: the gameplay has become smoother and deeper thanks to meta‑progression elements, yet the game remains demanding — you can die from just a couple of hits, but enemies also perish just as quickly. Success depends on concentration, the ability to absorb enemy bullets to power up your own weapon, and a willingness to take on challenging boss fights.

Gunplay in Saros is a reason for praise in itself. Every weapon feels powerful and spectacular: ricocheting pistols, shotguns that unleash a wall of pellets, circular saws, and cannons with alternative fire modes. Each new gun changes your tactics on the fly, forcing you to adapt to the situation.

The world is divided into six biomes with partially random routes — critics applaud the level design and note that each run helps you better understand the layout of the maps. Metroidvania elements are also present: hooks, trampolines, and keys grant access to old areas in search of new upgrades.

The story turned out darker and deeper than expected: the protagonist’s personal journey is seamlessly intertwined with the mysteries of the planet Karkosa. Arjun Devraj is played by Rahul Kohli ("Midnight Mass", "The Fall of the House of Usher") — many reviewers have already called his performance award‑worthy. The actor brilliantly portrays the character’s development, even though he spends most of his time alone.

The technical side has divided the press: some report stable 60 fps, while others complain about stutters, frame drops in large battles, bugs, cutscene freezes, and even loss of progress on the base PS5. Among the drawbacks, critics also mention monotony, questionable progression, unresolved storylines, and forgettable secondary characters. Nevertheless, the vast majority of critics agree: Saros is the culmination of Housemarque’s creative evolution and one of the most memorable games for PS5. Release date: April 30, 2026, exclusively on PS5 (the Deluxe Edition grants access 48 hours earlier, starting April 28).

Previously, the developers showcased how Saros will look on PS5 Pro, and earlier trailers highlighted both the combat and the exploration of Carcosa’s mysteries.

After seeing these critic scores, do you want to give the game a try?