Don't skip Saros because Housemarque's previous roguelike Returnal is difficult, pleads PlayStation studios lead: "If this video game looks cool to you then IT IS FOR YOU"

Soltari Echelon 4 commander Sheridan Bouchard stands with a handgun raised in Saros.

Now that Saros is about to come out for everyone, there's some discussion going around about the overall difficulty, especially compared to its predecessor, Returnal. A higher-up at PlayStation is here to quell any concerns, maintaining that the sci-fi roguelike remains approachable despite its tricky parts.

On Twitter, a user posted about how hard Saros is, pointing out that once you get past the game's second boss, you unlock bonuses you can toggle on and off to tailor the experience more to your preferences. Mihir Sheth, senior product developer director at PlayStation Studios, piggybacks on this sentiment to send a broader message.

"Housemarque made this game with care and consideration for many types of players while preserving challenge," he states. "There is more in your hands for how to play... but if this video game looks cool to you, then IT IS FOR YOU."

On the eve of #SAROS launch this is a message I hope gets out.@Housemarque made this game with care and consideration for many types of players while preserving challenge. There is more in your hands for how to play... but if this videogame looks cool to you then IT IS FOR YOU. https://t.co/cHDXLfpXUlApril 30, 2026

Speaking without having played Saros yet, Returnal had a pretty harsh difficulty curve in my experience. It's not the hardest roguelike I've ever played, but it was punishing at times, and completing it required a couple of breaks to psyche myself back up before jumping back into the wilds of Atropos.

Saros seems like more of the same, but with the added perk of the aforementioned modifiers and greater weapon choice. These include strengthening your defenses and giving you resistance to enemy infections. Those would've certainly made Returnal more bearable, and I can already see myself making ample use of them.

But to Sheth's central point, Saros is a massive release, one of the PlayStation 5's biggest of the year, and if it piques your interest whatsoever, you should consider giving it a go. Even if it's just to support Rahul Kohli as the lead character.

Saros Metacritic score makes it one of the best games of the year, putting the cosmic roguelike right behind Resident Evil Requiem and Pokemon Pokopia