6 Best Games From Saros Developer Housemarque, Ranked

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Housemarque has become well-known for creating fantastic, fast-paced arcade-style games. More recently, they’ve been expanding their focus to include more compelling stories alongside their signature gameplay. Their next project, Saros, scheduled for release in early 2026, features Rahul Kohli as the lead character exploring a distant colony. It’s expected to be another big success for the studio, and while you’re waiting for its release, you might want to check out some of their earlier titles.

If you need some help deciding which one, here are the six best games from Housemarque.

6) Dead Nation

Released a year before the 2011 PlayStation Network outage, Dead Nation was so well-regarded that Sony included it in the compensation package offered to affected users. Recognizing the need to appease fans, Sony delivered a thrilling zombie-killing experience. Dead Nation combines Housemarque’s signature fast-paced arcade action with a zombie apocalypse setting, creating a beloved and enduring classic on the PlayStation Network.

5) Alienation

Alienation is a fast-paced, top-down shooter set in the future where Earth is under attack by aliens. You can fight them solo, play with a friend locally, or team up with up to three players online. While the game’s environments and weapons aren’t incredibly diverse, the solid combat is engaging enough to keep you playing for a long time.

4) Nex Machina

Nex Machina is a fantastic twin-stick shooter, and Housemarque clearly knows how to make a great game. It was a hit with both critics and players, earning numerous awards and appearing on many “Best of” lists – including winning Game Informer’s “Best Indie Action Game” award. A key to its success may be the involvement of Eugene Jarvis, a highly respected developer of classic arcade shooters, who acted as a creative consultant. His experience undoubtedly helped the team create an exceptional game.

3) Matterfall

I’m really excited about Matterfall! It’s a shooter, but it’s different – all the action happens on a 2D side-scrolling map. You play as Avalon Darrow, and they get into this awesome armored suit that unlocks a ton of cool powers. One of the best parts is you can build platforms to reach new areas and create shields to protect yourself from enemies. It looks like a really unique take on the genre!

Add a fantastic soundtrack to the mix, and you’ve got one of the best PS4 games of 2017. It plays a lot like a 2D version of Nex Machina, so it’s understandable if someone would switch it with that game on a top games list. However, I personally prefer the more deliberate pace of Matterfall. That said, this game really stands out with its creative level design and diverse weapon options.

2) Resogun

Resogun arrived just when players were looking for new experiences on the PlayStation 4. It’s clearly influenced by older games like Defender, and feels like a continuation of the Super Stardust series. While it offered fantastic shooting action, Resogun’s success was largely due to being available right when the PS4 launched.

The PlayStation 4 really needed strong games when it first came out, but Knack didn’t quite deliver. Luckily, Resogun was there to fill the gap and provide hours of fun while Sony developed more titles. And Resogun is truly excellent – it’s one of the best games of its type, captivating players with its techno soundtrack and beautiful, pixelated graphics. The developers, Housemarque, also added lots of optional challenges, which gave players even more reasons to keep playing.

1) Returnal

People might disagree with how I’ve ordered the rest of these games, but almost everyone considers Returnal to be Housemarque’s best. The developers stepped away from their traditional arcade-style games to create something truly innovative. While Returnal still shows hints of classic Housemarque, it represents the studio evolving and reaching a new level.

Returnal expertly blends fast-paced shooting, intense bullet-hell action, and roguelite progression, all while boasting incredibly responsive controls – it truly feels fantastic to play on the PS5. The game also features a captivating story centered around Selene Vassos, leading many to consider it the best game on the platform. While its difficulty can be challenging, Returnal is a near-flawless masterpiece from Housemarque.

Everyone involved with the game is excited and hopes this is just the beginning for Housemarque. They’re aiming to build on everything players enjoyed about Returnal and create an even more impressive experience with Saros. Hopefully, it will become a major hit when it’s released.

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2026-02-21 01:41