Saros is a spiritual successor to Returnal with an even greater emphasis on roguelike elements and many technical innovations. The developers shared how they created the visual style and gameplay, where "every system, effect, and bullet trajectory reflects a desire to make the game more dynamic."
Art director Simone Silvestri described the visual concept as "a fusion of neoclassicism and Italian futurism." Players will explore the world of Carcosa, constantly changing and combining "organic beauty and disturbing geometry" that should "draw you in deeper."
The main character, Arjun Devraj, differs from Selene and is more focused on combat, using the Soltari Shield, which absorbs bullets. According to game designer Abebe Tinari, this creates "a new approach to chaos — now with the ability to amplify and gain firepower." The shield mechanic has changed the design of bullet patterns and puzzles.
Technically, Saros develops the ideas of Returnal: dynamic lighting, multi-layered particle systems, and simulation of physical bodies. Bullets now "have never looked so clear and felt so dynamic." Environmental destructibility has become more realistic, and most importantly, the signature "tentacle technology" has returned.
Saros combines manual animation with procedural systems, creating "realism and unpredictability" for simulated limbs, cables, and organic structures. All of this is subject to physics, adding chaotic liveliness to the scenes.
Saros will be released on March 20, 2026 on PS5.
