If you’ve been waiting to secure your copy of Saros, the next roguelite shooter from Returnal developer Housemarque, your patience might be paying off very soon. Both the Standard and Digital Deluxe editions were rated in Taiwan on December 8, 2025, which typically signals that pre-orders are right around the corner. With the game launching in just four months on March 20, 2026, this timing makes perfect sense.
The ratings appearance is particularly exciting for fans who have been following the game since its cinematic reveal in February 2025. After getting our first substantial gameplay look during September’s State of Play showcase, the community has been eager to lock in their pre-orders. Now it seems that opportunity is finally arriving.
What the Taiwan Rating Means
When games get rated by regional classification boards like Taiwan’s, it’s usually one of the final steps before pre-orders go live. Publishers need these ratings in place before they can legally sell the product in those territories. The fact that both Standard and Digital Deluxe editions received ratings simultaneously suggests Housemarque and PlayStation are preparing for a coordinated launch across multiple regions.
This follows the standard playbook for major PlayStation releases. The ratings typically appear a few weeks before pre-orders open, giving retailers and digital storefronts time to set up their listings. With less than four months until launch, Sony likely wants to start building pre-order momentum during the holiday season.
Deluxe Edition Details Remain Under Wraps
While we know a Digital Deluxe edition exists, Housemarque hasn’t revealed what bonus content it will include. Based on typical PlayStation exclusive practices, expect some combination of early weapon unlocks, exclusive cosmetic items, digital artbook, soundtrack access, or perhaps unique suit customization options that fit with Saros’ permanent progression system.
The permanent progression mechanic is a key differentiator from Returnal. Every death in Saros allows players to permanently upgrade their loadout from an evolving set of weapons and suit parts, letting you “come back stronger” after each failed run. A deluxe edition could potentially offer a head start on this progression system or exclusive gear options not available in the standard version.
What Makes Saros Special
Housemarque describes Saros as “the ultimate evolution” of their gameplay-first philosophy. Set on the planet Carcosa under an ominous eclipse, you play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for answers about a lost off-world colony. The game features actor Rahul Kohli delivering a grounded performance that anchors the emotional and haunting narrative.
The gameplay builds on Returnal’s award-winning foundation while introducing significant changes. Most notably, the Second Chance feature allows players to resurrect after death, a potentially game-changing addition for those who found Returnal punishingly difficult. The permanent progression system ensures that unlike Returnal where players primarily gained knowledge from failed runs, Saros lets you carry forward tangible upgrades.
Gameplay Evolution from Returnal
September’s gameplay reveal showed off the Soltari Phosphorous Shotgun melting hostile machines in stunning fashion. A new shield mechanic lets players charge into incoming projectiles, absorbing them as energy to hurl back at enemies. This creates opportunities for aggressive counter-play rather than purely defensive positioning.
Environments evolve dynamically with each run, featuring shape-shifting biomes that may collapse, reform, or reveal hidden paths depending on player actions. Vertical traversal plays a significant role, with environmental storytelling and secret chambers providing context about what happened on Carcosa. The world feels both oppressive and alive, offering a blend of challenge, spectacle, and emotional depth.
Storytelling Takes Center Stage
Housemarque is expanding its storytelling ambitions significantly with Saros. Beyond grounded voice-over and stunning cinematics, the game features haunting audio logs and conversations with an ensemble cast of NPCs. Soltari Holograms scattered throughout Carcosa detail what happened on the hostile planet, and collecting them becomes vital to understanding the full story.
The team also promises more surreal and mysterious storytelling sequences that they’re keeping under wraps until closer to launch. The musical score, composed by Sam, aims to be “bold and innovative” and unique across any medium. PlayStation Studios partners including XDEV, Nixxes, and Creative Arts teams have collaborated closely on the production.
PS5 Pro Enhancements Confirmed
Creative director Gregory Louden confirmed that Saros will be enhanced for PS5 Pro, though specific improvements haven’t been detailed yet. Given that Returnal was one of the most graphically impressive PS5 launch window titles, expectations are high. Housemarque’s mastery of particle effects and monster design should shine on the upgraded hardware.
The game will feature climactic boss fights showcasing the studio’s technical prowess. If Returnal’s Phrike and Nemesis battles are any indication, Saros will deliver memorable encounters that push the PS5’s capabilities. The combination of fast-paced action, cinematic presentation, and roguelite structure positions it as a potential showcase title for PlayStation’s ecosystem.
FAQs
When will Saros pre-orders go live?
While no official date has been announced, the Taiwan rating for both Standard and Digital Deluxe editions on December 8, 2025 strongly suggests pre-orders will open within the next few weeks. This timing would allow Sony to capture holiday season interest ahead of the March 20, 2026 release date.
What is the Saros release date?
Saros launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on March 20, 2026. The game will be enhanced for PS5 Pro with specific improvements to be detailed closer to launch. Creative director Gregory Louden confirmed the date during Sony’s September 2025 State of Play presentation.
What’s included in the Saros Digital Deluxe edition?
The specific contents of the Digital Deluxe edition haven’t been revealed yet. Housemarque typically announces edition details when pre-orders officially open, so expect information within the coming weeks once the Taiwan ratings are processed.
How is Saros different from Returnal?
While both are roguelite shooters, Saros features permanent progression systems where every death allows you to upgrade weapons and suit parts permanently. The game also includes a Second Chance resurrection feature and focuses more heavily on narrative storytelling with an ensemble cast of NPCs and cinematic sequences.
Will Saros come to PC?
Saros is currently confirmed as a PlayStation 5 exclusive at launch. Based on Sony’s pattern with previous exclusives like Returnal and Spider-Man, a PC port might arrive two to two and a half years after the console release, though nothing has been officially announced.
Who is the main character in Saros?
You play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for answers on the lost off-world colony of Carcosa. Actor Rahul Kohli provides the voice and performance capture for the character, delivering what Housemarque describes as a grounded and emotional portrayal.
Is Saros easier than Returnal?
The permanent progression system and Second Chance resurrection feature suggest Saros may be more accessible than Returnal’s unforgiving difficulty. However, Housemarque is known for challenging gameplay, so expect the game to still provide a significant challenge while offering more tools to overcome obstacles.
Getting Ready for Launch
With pre-orders likely opening soon and the March 20, 2026 launch date approaching fast, Saros is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated PlayStation exclusives. The combination of Housemarque’s proven gameplay expertise, expanded storytelling ambitions, and player-friendly progression systems could make this the studio’s most successful title yet. Keep an eye on the PlayStation Store and Housemarque’s social channels for the official pre-order announcement, because if the Taiwan ratings are any indication, that news could drop any day now.