| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Game Title | Saros |
| Developer | Housemarque |
| Platform | PS5 |
| Official Release Date | 30th April |
| Digital Deluxe Early Access | 28th April |
| Standard Price | $69.99 / £69.99 |
| Digital Deluxe Price | $79.99 / £79.99 |
Saros: Housemarque's Next-Gen Roguelite
Housemarque, known for its bullet-hell brilliance, is back with Saros, a new PS5 roguelite aiming to evolve the formula. Early word suggests Saros is strategically shaving off some of Returnal's rougher edges, striving for a more universally appealing experience without compromising its core challenge. As veteran gamers, we're always keen to see how a developer iterates on a successful genre.
Early Access: A Popular Tactic, But Is It Good For Gamers?
Sony is once again employing a publisher tactic that's becoming increasingly common: offering early access to Saros for those willing to pay a premium. Players who stump up for the Digital Deluxe Edition will get a full 48 hours head start, diving into the roguelite action on April 28th, two days before its "official" release date of April 30th.
The Digital Deluxe Premium
The standard edition of Saros will set you back $69.99/£69.99. However, if you want that early jump, you’ll need to cough up $79.99/£79.99 for the Digital Deluxe. To be fair, this extra tenner does net you a trio of armours inspired by PlayStation heavyweights Returnal, God of War, and Ghost of Yotei. But let’s not mince words: the primary draw for many is undoubtedly the early access.
A Growing Industry Trend?
This isn’t Sony's first rodeo with this strategy. We saw a similar 48-hour early access window for Death Stranding 2's more expensive editions, and the MLB The Show series has been playing this card for years. While some might view it as a bonus for dedicated fans, our take is more skeptical. We believe this tactic often feels less like an "early access perk" and more like a paywall for the actual release date.
The Bottom Line & Community Input
Let's be real here: if the Digital Deluxe grants access on April 28th, then for all intents and purposes, that's the real launch day. For those unwilling to pay the extra dosh, the game effectively gets "delayed" by two days. We're not fans of this trend. It feels like a move designed to pressure players into spending more just to avoid being left behind. Is this just a storm in a teacup, or a trend that threatens to get out of hand and normalize bifurcated launch dates? Will you be paying extra to play Saros early, or are you holding out for the official launch?