Saros review: Housemarque’s new PS5 game overcorrects for Returnal’s difficulty

The cycle of failure and redemption is part of the undeniable allure of the roguelike, something Saros struggles to pin down in its visually dazzling iteration of the format. A great roguelike creates empowerment through perseverance and iteration; it’s the very human experience of screwing up and trying to do a little better the next day. That’s a feeling Devraj knows all too well, which should make the format a harmonious fit for the brooding story beneath Saros’ hard sci-fi exterior. But with an overtuned emphasis on progression over skill or experimentation, Saros gives players too many opportunities to reduce Devraj’s personal journey to a numbers game.