Saros seems to be drawing inspiration from a classic horror tale
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The Saros gameplay trailer revealed at the Sept.24 State of Play livestream made clear that developer Housemarque’s new game is bringing familiar elements from it’s predecessor,the 2021 sci-fi roguelike Returnal. This time, it seems like the studio is drinking from different creative wells to trap its protagonist, Arjun Devraj, in an alien bullet-hell loop.In this case, there’s an apparent connection between the game and the 19th-century book, The King in Yellow.
Arjun is stuck in a loop on Carcosa, a planet with tall buildings, alien tech ready to kill him, and a sky marked by eerily yellow sun rays.The mysterious planet hides unknown dangers. In the trailer, we see a giant humanoid creature. It has six arms,and in each of its hands,wields a sphere of fire. Crowned with a golden helmet, the eerie creature has its eyes covered by two other hands. This all looks frightening and exciting, but in the same enigmatic spirit Returnal portrayed sence its first trailers. However, while we know close to nothing about what is happening in the game, it feels like Housemarque left a breadcrumb trail for fans to pursue.
Returnal 2: Everything we know about the PS5 sequel,codenamed ‘Saros’
Housemarque’s Returnal was one of the biggest surprises of 2021,a challenging roguelike shooter that took full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s hardware. Now, the studio is gearing up for a sequel, currently codenamed Saros. Here’s everything we certainly know about the upcoming PS5 exclusive.
What is Saros?
Saros is the working title for the sequel to Returnal. Housemarque has been deliberately tight-lipped about details, but has confirmed it’s a full sequel, not a remaster or expansion. the game is in full production, with the team growing to support the larger scope.
What can we expect from the story?
the original Returnal ended on a cliffhanger, with Selene seemingly caught in a time loop on Atropos. Saros will continue Selene’s story, but will also expand the lore of the game’s universe.
In a PlayStation Blog post, Housemarque narrative director, Maria Åkesson, explained that Saros will delve deeper into the mysteries of the world, the House, and Selene’s past. “We’re building on the themes of Returnal – cycles, memory, and the search for meaning – but taking them in new and unexpected directions.”
Åkesson also confirmed that the sequel will explore the mythology of Carcosa, the alien world hinted at in Returnal.This is based on the writings of Robert W. Chambers,specifically the King in Yellow,which heavily inspired the first game.
What about gameplay?
While Housemarque is aiming to retain the core roguelike gameplay loop that made Returnal so compelling, Saros will introduce new mechanics and features.
The team is focusing on expanding the world and offering players more agency in how they approach each run. This includes new environments to explore, new weapons and artifacts to discover, and new enemies to battle.
“We want to give players more tools to overcome the challenges of Saros,” said game director Harry Krueger.”We’re experimenting with new ways to customize Selene’s build and playstyle, and we’re also looking at ways to make the game more accessible without sacrificing its core difficulty.”
What’s with the name Saros?
The name Saros refers to a period of approximately 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours, during which eclipses repeat in a predictable pattern. This ties into the cyclical nature of Returnal and the themes of time and repetition that are central to the game’s story.
When will Saros be released?
Currently,there is no official release date for Saros. However, given that the game is in full production and Housemarque is actively sharing updates, a release in late 2024 or 2025 seems likely.
Image: Housemarque/Sony
Saros: exploring the New Lovecraftian Horror Game from the Creator of SOMA
The creator of the critically acclaimed psychological horror game SOMA, Frictional Games, is venturing into new, unsettling territory with Saros. Announced in March 2024, Saros promises a unique blend of exploration, inquiry, and cosmic horror, drawing heavily from the works of Robert W. Chambers and the mythos surrounding the King in Yellow. here’s a detailed look at what we certainly know about this highly anticipated title.
What is Saros?
Saros is described as a first-person horror game focused on unraveling a mystery within a remote archipelago. Players take on the role of Elias Holm, a private investigator tasked with finding a missing person.However, the investigation quickly spirals into something far more sinister, leading Elias to confront a reality warped by a strange, otherworldly influence. Unlike Frictional Games’ previous survival horror titles like Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Saros emphasizes investigation and unraveling a narrative, with a reduced focus on direct combat and hiding.
The Influence of Robert W. Chambers and the king in Yellow
A key element of Saros is its deep connection to the works of Robert W.Chambers, particularly his collection of short stories, The King in Yellow. This collection centers around a play that drives those who read it to madness, and a mysterious figure known as the King in yellow. Frictional games has stated that Saros will not be a direct adaptation of the stories, but rather an interpretation and expansion upon the themes and atmosphere they evoke. The game aims to capture the unsettling feeling of cosmic dread and the fragility of reality that permeates Chambers’ work. Frictional Games’ official blog details this inspiration extensively.
Gameplay Mechanics and Features
Saros distinguishes itself through its unique gameplay mechanics.Players will primarily focus on exploring the archipelago, gathering clues, and interviewing inhabitants. A core mechanic involves “reconstructing” events through a system of fragmented memories and interpretations. This means players won’t simply witness events unfold; they’ll piece them together from incomplete information, leading to potentially unreliable narratives and subjective truths.
- Investigation Focus: The game prioritizes detective work and unraveling a complex mystery.
- Reconstruction mechanic: Players piece together events from fragmented memories and interpretations.
- Non-Linear Narrative: The story unfolds based on player choices and interpretations.
- Atmospheric Horror: Emphasis on psychological dread and unsettling atmosphere rather than jump scares.
The Setting: A Remote Archipelago
The game takes place on a remote archipelago in the 1920s. this setting is crucial to the game’s atmosphere, evoking a sense of isolation and vulnerability.The islands themselves are described as being steeped in history and folklore, with a palpable sense of something ancient and unsettling lurking beneath the surface. The isolation of the location contributes to the growing sense of unease as Elias delves deeper into the mystery.
Growth and Release Date
Saros is being developed by Frictional Games, the studio behind Amnesia: The Dark Descent, SOMA, and Amnesia: Rebirth. The game is built using the Northgard engine, a custom-built engine designed to facilitate complex narrative structures and immersive environments. As of may 2024, a release date has not been announced, but Frictional games has indicated that the game is still in active development. Frictional Games’ website provides updates on the development process.
Key Takeaways
- Saros is a first-person horror game from the creators of SOMA.
- The game is heavily inspired by the works of Robert W. Chambers and the mythos of the King in Yellow.
- Gameplay focuses on investigation, reconstruction of events, and a non-linear narrative.
- The setting is a remote archipelago in the 1920s, contributing to the game’s unsettling atmosphere.
- A release date has not yet been announced.
Saros appears to be a bold and aspiring project that aims to deliver a truly unique horror experience. By focusing on psychological dread, narrative complexity, and a rich source of inspiration, Frictional Games is poised to create another compelling and unsettling journey into the unknown. Fans of SOMA and Lovecraftian horror will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on this title as development progresses.
Worth a look