If you have played Contra, then you probably have an idea of what Housemarque games are like—cutting a deep and strong niche for themselves, constantly redefining the bullet hell genre. Much like their protagonists are stuck in a never-ending time loop, Housemarque themselves keep perfecting their craft with each iteration, creating engaging story-driven games that pull together several genres.
Saros stars Rahul Kohli (known from Mike Flanagan’s Netflix horror shows such as The Haunting of Bly Manor and Midnight Mass), who plays a Soltari enforcer named Arjun Devraj. He and his team are stuck on the planet Carcosa.
The Premise
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Protagonist | Arjun Devraj (Soltari enforcer) |
| Actor | Rahul Kohli |
| Setting | Planet Carcosa |
| Genre | Bullet hell roguelike |
| Key Mechanic | Time loop / ever-dying world |
What Works: Polished and Intense
- Polished Gameplay: Housemarque’s signature refinement shines through
- Intense Action: Pulse-pounding bullet hell sequences
- Great Storytelling: Infuses narrative depth into the roguelike genre
- Rahul Kohli’s Performance: Brings gravitas to the lead role
Much like their protagonists are stuck in a never-ending time loop, Housemarque themselves keep perfecting their craft, with each iteration, in creating engaging story-driven games that pull together several genres.
What Doesn’t: Repetitive
| Aspect | Critique |
|---|---|
| Repetition | The bullet hell format can become repetitive over time |
| Genre Limitations | The roguelike loop may not appeal to all players |
The Verdict
Saros is a polished, intense bullet hell experience that benefits from Housemarque’s expertise in the genre and Rahul Kohli’s compelling lead performance. The game successfully infuses great storytelling into the roguelike format, making it more engaging than many of its peers.
However, the inherent repetition of the bullet hell genre may wear thin for some players over time. For fans of Housemarque’s previous work or those who enjoy intense, skill-based action with a narrative hook, Saros is well worth playing.
