Saros

After approximately 30 hours of gameplay, including unlocking the secret ending, it is clear that SAROS is not a game to be played casually. It is a title that demands focus, patience, and a willingness to repeat, but in return offers an extremely satisfying experience based on solid and precise gameplay.

Even in the first hours of the game, it becomes clear what kind of pace is involved. After three and a half hours, the first world is successfully completed and the first boss is defeated, which immediately hints at the game's philosophy. It is not necessarily overly difficult, but the fight lasts a long time and consists of multiple phases, meaning that any mistake can result in a return of up to 20 minutes. It is this sense of risk and reward that forms the core of SAROS. Each attempt requires maximum concentration, and in the later hours of gameplay, the intensity of the action goes so far that physical fatigue is felt, especially due to the constant use of attack and dodge buttons.

Gameplay is the game's greatest strength. Combat is fast, aggressive, and demands reactions in a split second. Enemies do not forgive mistakes, and the game constantly encourages the player to balance between offense and defense. In this sense, SAROS is reminiscent of Returnal, although it feels somewhat more accessible due to the world structure. While Returnal uses interconnected progression through one whole, SAROS divides the experience into separate worlds, giving players a sense of clearer progress and slightly less pressure with each attempt.

However, the challenge is still very much present. Boss fights are often long and exhausting, with a large number of phases that test endurance and concentration. This is where the game can also be frustrating, as defeat often means repeating a significant portion of the content. On the other hand, the feeling of victory after such battles is extremely strong and one of the main reasons why SAROS works.

The story is a pleasant surprise. Although it is not in the foreground, it manages to avoid the most common clichés and provides enough motivation to progress through the game. It is not a narratively driven experience, but the context it provides is quite sufficient to connect all parts into a meaningful whole.

The technical performance is at a high level. On the PlayStation 5 Pro, the game runs extremely smoothly, with only occasional drops in performance in more demanding situations. Visually, SAROS looks very good, with detailed environments and effects that further emphasize the intensity of combat. Bugs are almost non-existent, which further contributes to the positive impression.

A big plus is the replay value. After completing the game, including the standard ending, additional content opens up that leads to the secret ending. The game then continues for several more hours, with a return to familiar areas and an additional encounter with the final boss – along with a specific condition that the player must fulfill to unlock the true ending. Such details further reward exploration and persistence.

New abilities unlocked during gameplay allow access to previously inaccessible parts of the maps, giving it a metroidvania flair and encouraging a return to earlier locations. Procedural generation further refreshes each new playthrough, although it retains certain fixed elements. This means that players will gradually recognize parts of the maps, which somewhat reduces the feeling of complete unpredictability. Compared to games like Remnant: From the Ashes, which offer more radical level variations, SAROS remains somewhat more conservative in this regard.

For players who want to adjust the difficulty, there are also “Carcosan Modifiers” that unlock later in the game. The system balances positive and negative modifiers, allowing for different play styles – from easing certain segments to adding extra challenge. It is a cleverly implemented system that does not undermine the core identity of the game, but rather expands it.

In conclusion, SAROS is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be – a fast, demanding, and rewarding action title that tests players' reflexes and patience. Although it can occasionally frustrate with the length of boss fights and repetition, its core gameplay is so solid that it easily carries the entire experience.

For fans of games like Returnal or the adrenaline pace offered by DOOM Eternal, SAROS is almost a guaranteed recommendation.

The digital copy of the game can be purchased on the PlayStation Store for the price of 79.99 euros