Saros' narrative often feels at odds with the kind of experience it wants to be, but there's no denying this is another top-tier action game from Housemarque.

You know an action game has the magic when you come out of a sequence thinking "How the hell did I survive that?" Your hands shaking with adrenaline, the controller slick with sweat. Sekiro had it. Doom Eternal had it, and Returnal had it too, with Housemarque's timeloop sci-fi thriller offering some of the most thrilling action of this generation.

Saros is no different. Moment-to-moment, Housemarque's latest represents a clear step forward over Returnal. Numerous mechanical twists, combined with some truly ferocious enemy designs, produces a game of awe-inspiring spectacle and electrifying combat.

But there is a downside. Saros' action moves so fast that the rest of the game struggles to keep up at times.…