Saros: the new PlayStation exclusive that seeks to reinvent roguelikes

When playing this style of games, it is important to know them. In the “Roguelike” or “Roguelite” genre in this case, when your life bar runs out, you don’t start over on your last “checkpoint”returns to the beginning. Without improvements or advantages, everything starts again unless you have overcome some “regent” or as they say in gamer jargon, the final bosses.

Saros is an ideal game to enter this type of genre. using the concept of “do better again” or “come back stronger” It allows you to get improvements before going out on the adventure again in case you have died in a previous game or “cycle” as it is usually called. This could be interpreted as “unworthy” of a roguelike, but it is, perhaps, a good respite for players who are not used to this genre. Therefore, Saros is a mix of “Roguelite” and “Roguelike”.

As always, the developers add the options of auto aimingwhich makes the way of playing a little simpler, that is, it allows the player to concentrate a little less on aiming and go fully to develop their skills and reflexes, in a frenetic field full of threats.

In addition to the aforementioned improvements, Saros has a “Second chance”. Another controversial decision made by the developers is that in each game the player has an extra life, something ideal for the novice player, but at the same time it is a decision that will generate divisions among traditional fans of the genre.

As for the gameplaySaros brings us some interesting mechanics, achieving a mix of originality and bringing us memories of its predecessor: Returnalbut in an improved version where it adds the famous shield and power weapons, added to the fast movement mechanics, the different types of shots and improvements. These questions make Saros feel original and addictivesince the premise of coming back stronger motivates the player to never slow down.

In turn, it has special settings that the player can choose to make the game even more difficult. Enemies can do more damage, the player can do less damage, miss their second chance, and so on. It all depends on the player, skill level and confidence, precisely to make it more similar to a roguelike.

Also adds the mode “Eclipse solar” where the enemies are stronger, but at the same time it is possible to get more resources. However, there are moments where the player, either because of the story or in order to advance, is forced to activate this game mode that takes all skills to the extreme. That is why it is key to clarify that in Saros, everything makes sense thanks to the fact that history is the common thread and justification of everything that can be done in the game.

The game campaign puts us in the shoes of Arjun Devraja soldier who works for a space company called Soltariswhich has constant expeditions to a planet called Carcosa to exploit its resources. Arjun travels on the expedition Echelon IV to search for survivors from previous expeditions, but at the same time on a very important personal mission: rescue his beloved Natjiawhich was part of the Echelon III expedition, of which they have not had news for a long time and apparently, all its survivors except her, died in the field in strange ways.

Even so, with a firm history and a very solid gameplaywhere the game stands out the most is in the boss battles and, of course, in its graphics. Taking the console to the extreme, but also the Unreal 5 graphics engine. During the more than 25 hours of gameplay, Saros flows completely to 60 FPS on both Playstation 5 and Playstation 5 Pro, where everything is slightly more detailed.

The soundtrack He also stands out a lot in this game. It is highly recommended to play it with headphones, to fully enjoy the sound experience that the Saros offers.

Saros is a roguelite that does not become roguelike especially because decisions do not play as fundamental a role as in the case of Returnal, where the wrong choice of weapon, for example, could ruin a game.

Es very friendly (at times, too much) for the casual player who wants to delve into these genres of permanent deaths. Thanks to its story, graphics and gameplay that requires more skill than normal.

Without a doubt, Saros is a game to pay attention to, as it arrives as the PlayStation Studios triple A exclusive and a proposal that could be nominated for different awards.