Housemarque just dropped their follow-up to Returnal, and it sounds like they’ve nailed the formula this time. Saros is getting glowing reviews from Digital Foundry, who praise the game as everything Returnal was but better – more polished, more beautiful, and way more approachable for players who bounced off the original’s brutal difficulty.
“Housemarque follows on from Returnal with Saros – cut from the same cloth, but refined and improved in all areas. Built on Unreal Engine 5 with extensive customisation from Housemarque, this is a beautiful, visually distinctive game that is challenging but perhaps not quite as off-putting as its predecessor.” – u/MythBuster2 on r/PS5
The big news here is that Housemarque has listened to feedback about Returnal being too punishing for some players. Don’t worry though – Saros is still challenging. It’s just not going to make you throw your controller across the room every 20 minutes. That’s a huge win for anyone who loved Returnal’s gameplay loop but got frustrated with its unforgiving nature.
What’s really impressive is the technical side. Saros runs on Unreal Engine 5, but Housemarque didn’t just use it out of the box. They’ve customized the engine extensively to create something that feels uniquely their own. The visual results speak for themselves – Digital Foundry specifically calls out how beautiful and distinctive the game looks.
This isn’t just another pretty game though. The PS5 Pro comparison coverage shows that Housemarque is really pushing the hardware. When Digital Foundry takes time to compare console versions, you know the technical achievement is worth talking about. It’s cool to see developers actually making use of the Pro’s extra power instead of just slapping a higher resolution on the same game.
For Returnal fans, this sounds like exactly what you’d want in a sequel. Same core DNA, same studio magic, but with all the rough edges smoothed out. Housemarque has always been great at making games that feel incredible to play, and it sounds like they’ve kept that while making the experience more welcoming.
The timing feels perfect too. Returnal came out early in the PS5’s life when people were still figuring out what next-gen gaming could be. Now we’re a few years in, developers understand the hardware better, and players know what they want. Saros seems to hit that sweet spot of being technically impressive while also being fun to actually play.
What’s really exciting is seeing Housemarque’s evolution as a studio. They went from making smaller arcade-style games to Returnal, which was this big ambitious roguelike that divided players. Now with Saros, it sounds like they’ve found the right balance. They kept their signature feel but made it work for a broader audience.
The Unreal Engine 5 choice is smart too. Epic’s latest engine is becoming the go-to for developers who want to create visually stunning games without spending years building their own tech. But Housemarque’s extensive customization shows they’re not just using it as a crutch – they’re using it as a foundation to build something special.
This could be huge for PlayStation‘s exclusive lineup. Sony needs studios that can consistently deliver high-quality games that show off their hardware. Housemarque seems to be stepping into that role perfectly. Returnal was a critical darling that maybe didn’t reach as many players as it could have. Saros sounds like it could fix that problem.
The fact that Digital Foundry is highlighting the visual features and technical innovations tells us this isn’t just a safe sequel. Housemarque is still pushing boundaries and trying new things. That’s exactly what you want from creative teams – the confidence to experiment while building on what worked.
Looking ahead, this feels like Housemarque hitting their stride as a first-party PlayStation studio. If Saros delivers on the promise shown in early coverage, we’re probably looking at the beginning of a really strong partnership. Sony gets a studio that can showcase their hardware capabilities, and Housemarque gets the resources to keep making the ambitious games they’re clearly passionate about.
For players, this means more high-quality exclusives that actually take advantage of the PS5’s power. And if they’ve really solved the accessibility issues that held Returnal back, Saros could be the game that finally gets more people to understand what makes Housemarque special.
