Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast · Kinda Funny

We Played Saros! - Kinda Funny Gamescast

·1 hr 4 min·6 clips

Roger reveals Saros skyrocketed to his most anticipated game after three hours of being utterly locked in.

This episode features hosts Blessing, Andy Cortez, and Roger Picorni previewing the upcoming game "Saros" from Housemarque, the studio behind "Returnal." Andy and Roger share their hands-on impressions from separate preview events, with Andy traveling to Housemarque's studio in Helsinki and Roger attending a session in San Mateo. The game follows Arjun Devraj, voiced by Rahul Kohli, who is sent to the planet Carcosa to investigate a missing expedition for the corporation Sultari. Players collect a resource called Lucinite while navigating a world affected by a mysterious eclipse that corrupts both the environment and its inhabitants. A new shield mechanic allows players to absorb enemy projectiles to power up special abilities, adding a strategic layer to combat. The preview build offered about three hours of gameplay, showcasing permanent upgrades through a skill tree that enhances stats like health, shield capacity, and resource gain. Narrative elements are more prominent than in "Returnal," with a home base hub featuring NPCs who provide story context and react to player progress. One surprising insight is that the "Come Back Stronger" feature includes an instant resurrection on first death, similar to an item in "Returnal," but also a generous progression system that makes subsequent runs feel more empowered. The eclipse event dynamically alters gameplay by increasing enemy damage and introducing "corrupted" projectiles that can reduce the player's health bar if absorbed by the shield. Andy notes that playing the game on a base PS5 looked impressive, heightening anticipation for the PS5 Pro version. Roger expresses that the story's mystery and the uneasy atmosphere of the hub world significantly increased his investment compared to "Returnal." The hosts highlight the "bullet ballet" combat philosophy, which prioritizes movement and timing over precise aiming, and confirm that weapon variety includes perks like chain lightning or explosive rounds. They mention that the game is a completely new IP with no narrative connection to "Returnal," despite shared studio DNA. A memorable moment involves Andy's anecdote about social media confusion over the game's name, mistakenly associated with the "Kingdom Hearts" character Sora. The tone is conversational and enthusiastic, with hosts exchanging playful banter and personal anecdotes alongside detailed gameplay analysis. The style is educational, breaking down mechanics and comparisons to Housemarque's previous work while maintaining an informal, gamer-focused perspective. Fans of "Returnal" and action roguelites will love this episode for its deep dive into mechanics and evolution of the studio's formula. Listeners seeking critical analysis or discussions of potential shortcomings might skip it, as the preview impressions are overwhelmingly positive and preliminary.

As heard by us

A lively first look at Saros shaped by hands-on impressions, small details, and the panel's easy back-and-forth.

Kinda Funny Gamescast keeps its attention on Saros, circling the Soros vs. Sora joke, who got the hands-on time, and how Housemarque is shaping a world that can shift every time the player dies.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get the Soros talk from people who actually played it before the room drifts into another Sora joke.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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