Ever since its initial reveal, Saros—the highly anticipated PlayStation 5 exclusive from Housemarque—has occupied a permanent spot on my radar. My enthusiasm is largely fueled by the studio’s previous triumph, Returnal, which remains my favorite first-party title of this generation. However, I’ll admit that the promotional trailers left me with one nagging concern: the overwhelming abundance of the color orange. While I have a personal affinity for the hue—it was my childhood favorite, to the point where I wore an orange Billabong shirt until it literally fell apart—the monochromatic marketing was starting to feel a bit repetitive.
Thankfully, I can report some refreshing news. While orange remains a central thematic pillar in Saros, the game is far more visually diverse than the trailers suggest.
I recently spent three hours hands-on with Saros, battling through the first two biomes and conquering their respective bosses. While amber tones certainly appeared, my journey was actually characterized by a rich kaleidoscope of colors. The orange represents a narrative focal point: an alien sun that haunts the protagonist, Arjun. During gameplay, players must eventually trigger an “Eclipse” via ancient machinery to advance. This event bathes the world in a scorching, burnt-orange light, signaling a dramatic mechanical shift.
When the sun goes dark, the challenge spikes. Enemies grow significantly more lethal, but they also yield greater amounts of Lucenite—the vital resource used to enhance Arjun’s abilities. Based on my limited preview, the orange isn’t just a color; it’s a warning of impending danger and a promise of greater rewards.
“I’m pleased you noticed the variation,” Saros art director Simone Silvestri remarked during our discussion. “The Eclipse is the heart of our design. It’s a narrative engine that transforms both the world and the gameplay. We wanted to evolve the atmospheric philosophy we established in Returnal into something that reflects this game’s core theme: constant escalation.”
Silvestri explained that they began with grounded identities for each biome. “When you manually trigger the Eclipse, we want to deliver a visceral shock. It represents a corruption of the world, which is why we introduced those intense, warmer tones to contrast with the initial exploration phases.”
Away from the Eclipse, the visual design is stunning. The opening biome is a masterclass in environmental contrast, blending deep, blood-like maroons with cold, stark grays. The second area shifts toward a gritty, industrial aesthetic defined by sprawling pipes and heavy machinery, reminiscent of the subterranean layers of Midgar in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Each location feels distinct, with the orange light serving as a thematic bridge that ties the world together during moments of peak tension.
Whether it’s bathed in orange or painted in maroon, Saros has firmly established itself as my most anticipated release of the year. The blend of Housemarque’s signature tight action and this new, evolving world design is a potent combination.
Saros is scheduled to launch exclusively for the PlayStation 5 on April 30.
While you wait, you can dive back into our Returnal review, check out our full Saros preview, or read why Housemarque believes the arcade spirit is more alive than ever.
Are you looking forward to Housemarque’s latest venture? Share your thoughts on Saros in the comments!
