The inaugural significant update for the bullet-hell roguelike, titled Saros, has been released. This update, known as Saros: Zenith, introduces a plethora of enhancements and gameplay modes, designed to both welcome new players and provide enriched experiences for long-standing enthusiasts. Notably, this update is complimentary and immediately available.
For those new to the game, Saros now offers several accessibility features aimed at reducing the initial learning curve. A prominent new option is 'Slow Game Speed,' which allows players to adjust the velocity of enemy projectiles. This feature offers customization, enabling players to control the degree of slowdown and activate it either manually or automatically upon detecting incoming projectiles. Housemarque, the developer, emphasized in their PlayStation Blog announcement that considerable effort was invested in balancing these accessibility features with the game's intrinsic difficulty, culminating in this unique bullet-time mechanic.
Another significant accessibility improvement is the integration of 'Auto-fire.' This setting automates character weapon discharge towards targeted enemies, enabling players to concentrate more effectively on evading the relentless onslaught of projectiles. The studio clarified that manual reloading remains a requirement, and precise reloads still demand accurate button timing. Both of these modifications are intended to mitigate the chaotic nature of the game, which can often overwhelm players as the screen rapidly fills with adversaries firing various projectiles.
Seasoned players who have already triumphed over the challenges of Carcosa's King in Yellow will find substantial new content in the Zenith update. This includes 'Overlord Rush,' a boss challenge mode where players can confront each of the main game's formidable Overlords, competing for a position on the global leaderboard. This mode features three distinct boss compilations: 'Incursion' and 'Ascension,' each presenting three Overlords, and 'Totality,' which demands players battle all eight bosses consecutively. Furthermore, the Zenith update introduces new Carcosan Modifiers, offering 10 new Protection Modifiers and 10 Trial Modifiers. An example of a new Protection Modifier is 'Corruption Melee Enhancement,' which utilizes Corruption to boost damage for close-range attacks. These modifiers are integral to the new 'Eclipse Layers' New Game Plus mode, accessible after completing the game for the first time. In this mode, the player character, Arjun, dons a crown and golden armor, with the crown progressively enlarging as more modifiers are activated, granting access to hidden messages throughout the game world.
The Housemarque title has garnered widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers frequently commending its imaginative visuals and precise bullet-hell mechanics. Despite this, some critics noted a perceived decrease in difficulty compared to Returnal, which they viewed as an overcorrection. Initial sales performance indicated a modest start, with only 300,000 units sold in its first two weeks, according to Alinea Analytics. Shortly after the game's launch, Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen announced his retirement from the company. It is anticipated that the Zenith update will re-invigorate interest in Saros and bring it the recognition it merits, showcasing the developers' dedication to enhancing player experience and extending the game's longevity.
