The News, Explained
Housemarque announced the Saros: Zenith update for all Saros owners at no additional charge on October 19, 2026. Its additions serve two broad needs: adjusting the demands of combat controls and giving players who have finished the main game new rules to take on. Source
Adjust reaction time and button input separately
Slow Game Speed keeps enemy attacks intact while slowing the game. It gives players more time to read incoming projectiles and choose whether to jump, evade or defend. Players can adjust the amount of slowdown and choose automatic activation during combat or a manual toggle when they need it. Source
Auto-fire shoots the weapon while the player is aiming at a hostile. It is an option to consider when holding a firing button while moving is burdensome. Reloading still requires player input, and a perfect reload still needs a well-timed button press. New Motion Sensor Aiming lets players aim through controller movement, alongside the existing button-remapping settings. The additions offer separate ways to adjust reaction and hand-input demands. Source
Choose the rules for a post-clear challenge
Carcosan Modifiers are settings that alter the rules of play. Zenith adds ten Protection Modifiers that make combat more forgiving and ten Trial Modifiers that raise the challenge. With the new Hostile Regeneration option, for example, larger enemies can be stunned by weapon damage but recover quickly; a melee strike is needed to finish them. A different rule can change how a player must approach the same enemy. Source
Eclipse Layers is the New Game+ mode, a further run available after clearing the main game. New nodes in the Armor Matrix at Passage unlock the next layer. Before starting a layer, players must select Modifiers that meet a required threshold, combining several of the 25 available Trials. The character’s Crown grows with Trials and Modifier Balance. The 12 collectible Visions contain additional story texts that require higher Crown levels to perceive. Source
Overlord Rush, accessed through the Primary Unit in Passage, puts bosses into consecutive encounters. Incursion and Ascension each contain three bosses, while Totality runs through eight. Rankings can be filtered by main weapon. The announcement’s starred leaderboard and competitive features require an internet connection and a PlayStation account. Source
OYOPICK’s Take
Separating reaction-time settings from button-input assistance is a welcome choice. Someone who needs longer to read an attack may face a different obstacle from someone who finds it difficult to hold the firing button. Being able to select these options separately could make it easier to adjust the controls around a particular difficulty. The practical benefit will depend on the person’s input needs and the combat situation.
Eclipse Layers, meanwhile, connects higher challenges with additional story material. Players interested in collecting that story will also need to consider the Trials required for a higher Crown level. The accessibility options broaden routes into play, while this mode gives experienced players more rules to choose between. We hope future updates continue to support both the enjoyment of chosen challenges and a wider range of control needs.