Saros Features Returnal’s Visually Sleek and Creepy-Sounding “Tentacle Technology”

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Now that Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed, the first half of 2026 looks a little less crowded. This gives us a good opportunity to talk about games like Saros from Housemarque. It’s a follow-up to Returnal, building on its roguelike features, but offering a lot of fresh ideas. The development team recently shared that the latest trailer showcases how they’ve focused on improving gameplay with every detail – from the systems and visuals to even the bullet patterns.

Art director Simone Silvestri explains the game’s visual style is a blend of classic and futuristic Italian design. As players explore the shifting world of Carcosa, they’ll experience environments that feel both natural and strangely organized, with grand, unusual shapes meant to pull them further into the game.

Arjun Devraj, the main character in Saros, is a more combat-focused hero than Selene. He uses a special Soltari Shield that can block bullets, opening up new ways to play. According to lead game designer Abebe Tinari, this shield provides an alternate approach to the fast-paced action, letting players gain power and firepower. This feature also impacted how Housemarque created the game’s bullet patterns, so players can expect those patterns to be important in both battles and puzzles.

What really makes Returnal shine technically? Is it the impressive lighting, or the sheer number of particles displayed, especially during intense firefights? The developers are pushing these features even further with more complex particle effects, responsive lighting, and realistic bullet physics – they say the bullets have never looked or felt better. They’re also bringing back their innovative “tentacle technology” to enhance the game’s immersive experience.

This technology combines traditional hand-drawn animation with computer-generated systems to create realistic and unpredictable movement. It simulates things like limbs and cables with believable physics, but the real standout feature is its incredibly realistic tentacles.

Saros launches on March 20th, 2026, for PS5.

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2025-11-07 18:42