There’s a lot of anticipation for Exodus, the big new sci-fi RPG coming from some of the key creative minds behind Mass Effect and KOTOR before it. During the Future Game Show, the Archetype Entertainment team shared a lengthy gameplay preview, revealing many new details about the game ahead of its planned release in early 2027.
Characters
The game stars Jun Aslan, an orphan from a once-powerful family who survives as a scavenger at the start of the game, but ends up being humanity’s last hope to fight the Celestials thanks to a genetic gift that allows him to interact with ancient technology. To save your home world, you will have to steal celestial technology, bring it back to your world and give yourself a chance to survive.
At the start of the game, you can choose Jun’s gender: male or female, and with “multiple options” for visual customization. You will also choose an initial alignment, either as a Virtuous Paladin or a Viscious Immortal.
Alongside Jun is his talking giant space wolf, Houston – immediately my favorite – but he quickly builds up a larger crew of allies, including mechanical pilot Elise and experienced traveler Tom, who teaches Jun some things about working as one of them. Salt then is an awakened octopus in a tentacle robot costume – immediately my second favorite new character – and there are other awakened animals you can converse with. Later in the video, we meet Feydra Nath, a genius technician who suffers from blindness, but has developed new eyesight using drones.
Periodically you will encounter CC Orlev, voiced by Matthew McConaughey, who can provide you with assistance in the form of upgrades and other help.
Combat
Combat certainly has plenty of third-person character with Mass Effect-style team combat, with Jun taking cover and firing guns, calling in attacks from allies, and using special abilities like a Scramble cloaking device that allows for quick close quarters, an energy spear and more.
Although it’s an RPG with big health bars, it packs a nice punch. You can spot and mark enemies while exploring a mercenary camp with a turret in the middle. Be careful not to sound the alarm, Jun’s upgraded Cycler gun for one-shot headshots. The turret was then weakened by a propellant grenade and destroyed by further fire.
It’s agile third-person combat, using grapple points to cross gaps, using explosive barrels to deal elemental damage, and much more.
Besides the mercenaries, one of the main enemies you will face are the Ghost robots.
Celestial Technology
With his ability to harness celestial technology, Jun is able to manipulate ancient devices and machines in a variety of ways. This can play into key decision points, such as when (having already disabled the turret defenses) having the choice of whether or not to open an airlock, potentially killing the dockers.
On the planet Blood, you can manipulate shapeable living stone to pass through sulfurous lakes and other ancient sky formations. This ability to shape the world can also be used in combat, projecting rapid growth from the ground.
Much of this depends on Jun’s gauntlet, which was passed down to him and can be upgraded with technology found during the journey, unlocking new abilities, such as the aforementioned Spear, which can pierce and destroy the Bramble, which is a byproduct of the Rot.
History
Jun’s homeworld of Lyden is in danger of being consumed by the Rot, a celestial virus capable of rewriting and using celestial technology in its own way. Between missions, you’ll return to this world and the main hub city of Persepolis to take on new missions, meet new people, and advance the story. One factor here is that, with Exodus relying on the theoretical science surrounding galactic space travel, you’re subject to time dilation, so years can pass while you and your team experience days. Your choices can shape this city over time.
You must travel across the Centauri cluster to find a possible cure for the rot. You’ll follow in the footsteps of other Travelers who came before you, like Feydra’s grandfather, Elijah, who died decades ago. Following this plot ultimately leads to a difficult choice that can lead to significant death in your party.
The presentation of Exodus looked excellent, and while the moral system was as classically polar as possible, the story intrigue, moment-to-moment decisions, combat, and celestial abilities all seemed brilliant. We can’t wait to see more as the team gets closer to its early 2027 release window.
