Housemarque’s Saros: Building on Returnal’s Success with a New Power Fantasy

Housemarque is doubling down on what worked in Returnal while forging new territory with their upcoming title Saros. In a recent interview with Polygon, the developers revealed how their new game connects to their previous successes while introducing bold new elements that could redefine their signature arcade-style gameplay.

The Housemarque Evolution

Housemarque has built a reputation for creating challenging, visually stunning games with Resogun and the critically acclaimed Returnal. After the success of Returnal, the team knew they had found something special. “After Returnal, we were like, okay, this really worked. What we’re doing seems to be resonating. We found something,” Louden told Polygon.

What makes Saros particularly interesting is how it both continues and evolves the Housemarque formula. While Returnal centered on Selene, a traumatized scientist trapped in a time loop, Saros introduces Arjun Devraj, a hard-boiled astronaut on a very different mission.

A New Protagonist, New Mechanics

“Arjun is a soldier. Selene was a scientist. It is a very different approach,” Häkli explained. This distinction between characters has led to a fundamental shift in gameplay philosophy. The new shield mechanic exemplifies this approach:

“The shield makes the game more aggressive. You’re going forward, you’re not afraid. You can absorb the bullets, even the corrupted ones, and gain more power. It’s all about this power fantasy of being the soldier who’s not afraid of these aliens. I can beat them, no problem.”

This “power fantasy” theme appears to be central to Saros, creating a different emotional experience than Returnal’s more desperate survival narrative. Players will control Arjun as he searches for a missing expedition on the mysterious planet Carcosa, a setting dripping with cosmic horror potential.

The “Arcade Spirit” Connection

Despite these innovations, Housemarque maintains what they call the “arcade spirit” that connects all their titles. “All these core mechanics, they have the same theme: growing power and being in this hostile, corrupting world and how it affects everything,” Häkli noted.

The developers are careful to position Saros as both a continuation and departure from their previous work. “We did want to reuse all of these lessons and experience from building these shapeshifting worlds. We wanted to explore cosmic horror in another lens,” Louden explained. “We just wanted to build on our success and have this evolution, but then also create something really bold and new for players.”

Why It Matters to JRPG Fans

While Saros might not fit the traditional JRPG mold, it represents an important evolution in narrative-driven action games. The character-focused approach, worldbuilding through environmental storytelling, and emphasis on player progression echo many JRPG principles. Housemarque’s commitment to creating meaningful characters with distinct personalities—like the stoic Arjun and his unwavering determination—resonates with JRPG fans who value memorable protagonists.

The “arcade spirit” philosophy also connects to the fast-paced, progression-focused gameplay that many action JRPGs embrace. As Japanese developers continue to experiment with blending genres, Housemarque’s Western take on these concepts offers an interesting perspective that JRPG fans might find compelling.

For fans of Returnal, Saros represents an exciting evolution rather than a simple sequel. The new setting, characters, and mechanics suggest Housemarque is pushing their creative boundaries while maintaining the core elements that made their previous games special. As cosmic horror elements merge with arcade-style action, Saros could carve out its own unique space in the landscape of story-driven action games.