- Primary Subject: Saros
- Key Update: While sharing Housemarque's "bullet-hell" DNA, Saros is a standalone IP and spiritual successor to Returnal, not a direct sequel.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: April 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: No, Saros is not connected to Returnal. It is a new IP and spiritual successor featuring different characters, settings, and permanent progression mechanics.
As Saros was made by the team that brought us Returnal, it makes sense why people would wonder if the two are related.
After all, the games have similar aesthetics and gameplay features. Is Saros a sequel or prequel to Returnal? Are they set in the same universe or share an IP? These are the questions that have surrounded Saros since its announcement, and with the release edging closer, it's time to set the record straight.
Here's everything to know about Saros and its potential link to Returnal.
Is Saros Connected to Returnal?
Though both were developed by Housemarque, Saros is not a sequel nor a prequel to Returnal.
This means you won't be playing as Selena or exploring the ruins of the Sentient on Atropos. Instead, you'll be playing as Arjun Devraj as he investigates the planet Carcosa. The stories are entirely separated and do not connect.
In short, they aren't related and aren't part of the same timeline. However, Saros is considered a spiritual successor due to how similar some elements of the game are, like how both stories take place on hostile planets. Still, it's its own IP, marking a fresh new story from Housemarque.
Will there be easter eggs? Probably - the game comes out on April 30, so we'll have to see then.
Does Saros Have Similar Gameplay to Returnal?
The gameplay is similar in the sense that both Saros and Returnal feature rogue-like elements and are set on dangerous planets. However, there are some differences in the gameplay.
Let's start with the similarities: the movement, the dash-cooldown mechanics, and the flow of the combat are almost exactly the same. Both games require you to navigate the environment while tracking down projectiles that fill the screen. However, Returnal needed you to dash through the projectiles, while Saros requires you to block and absorb them for your attacks.
READ MORE: Saros Editions Guide: All Versions, Bonus Content, and Prices
Both games also make use of procedural generation. This means that while all arenas are meticulously designed, the layout changes every time you enter the cycle. This means no two runs will be the same. Certain areas are locked behind upgrades, though Saros requires suit upgrades rather than necessary items.
Now, the differences. Let's start with the shield mechanic. In Returnal, shields were considered a consumable item meant to take a single hit. In Saros, one of the major mechanics is your Soltari Shield, which is a rechargeable tool used to parry and absorb energy to fuel your attacks.
Your attacks are done with Carcosan Weapons, which are powered by high projectile energy. You are able to select your starting loadout at the beginning of every run, while Returnal requires you to pick up loot and weapons throughout a run and adapt with what is available.
READ MORE: Returnal Fans, Saros Is The Upgrade You Didn't Know You Wanted
Lastly, the pacing. Saros is more structured, focusing on permanent progress over high-stakes, long-run endurance. Returnal was all about high-intensity, uninterrupted runs. Saros features a hub called "The Passage," a tool serving as the game's central hub, where players can check their resources. You can come here when you die in a run to upgrade your character permanently. This option wasn't available in Returnal - if you died, you lost your progress.
To summarize, while Returnal was your classic rogue-lite game, Saros is more rogue-like. Yes, there are similar elements, but the emphasis on permanent progress, lore, and growth makes Saros a game uniquely its own.
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