Reader Poll: Returnal Leads Overall; Saros Wins on Gameplay

A recent online reader poll asked PS5 players to choose between Returnal and Saros. Forty-three percent of respondents selected Returnal as their overall preference, while 35% chose Saros. The poll drew thousands of votes across multiple questions.

Respondents compared the two games on gameplay, story and characters. On gameplay, 48% rated Saros higher and 22% rated Returnal higher. On story, 50% favored Returnal and 23% favored Saros. On lead characters, 66% preferred Selene from Returnal and 34% preferred Arjun from Saros.

The poll included questions about overall preference, gameplay, story and characters and was conducted online. The poll’s accompanying write-up described Returnal’s oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty and credited Saros with gameplay refinements that make it more immediately accessible, calling the choice ‘a very tough call between the two.’

The results reflect reader sentiment and do not represent sales figures or critical scores. Returnal launched earlier on the PlayStation 5; Saros released more recently and introduced changes intended to broaden accessibility and refine core systems.