Archetype Entertainment has revealed details about Salt, a unique companion character in the upcoming game Exodus. Salt is an octopus who pilots a mech suit, distinguishing her from the predominantly human companions in the game. This unusual combination is central to her appeal, but developers note she possesses significant depth beyond her striking appearance.
Salt is identified as one of the Awakened, a classification for sentient animals in the world of Exodus. These animals are noted to be larger and more intelligent than their non-sentient counterparts, and thanks to translator chips, they can communicate with humans and integrate into society. Salt originates from an aquatic world, a detail shown in a recent trailer, but she is unable to return home due to a phenomenon known as time dilation, a core element of Exodus's narrative and intellectual property.
Narrative director Drew Karpyshyn explained that time dilation profoundly affects characters and their stories. Despite Salt not having aged significantly, decades have passed since she last visited her homeworld. This temporal disparity means that her return will be met with drastic changes, a predicament she is navigating alongside her mission objectives and partnership with the player.
Players first encounter Salt as Jun Aslan, the game's protagonist, in a mission requiring the infiltration of the Traveler Launch Center. Jun's squad hires Salt, an established bounty hunter, for her combat capabilities. While she may develop personal reasons for staying later in the game, her initial motivation is explicitly contractual. This mercenary approach is highlighted when she states, "Not necessary. If you die, I leave. Contract void," in response to an ally's assurance of backup.
Game director Chris King noted that Salt's initial presentation as an "awakened octopus in this giant mech suit" might seem unconventional. However, he believes her quirkiness, sharp wit, and frequent, dry humor contribute to her appeal. This contrasts with her serious and focused demeanor during gameplay, presenting her as a no-nonsense mercenary rather than a comedic character.
Salt's unique physiology presents challenges for operating outside her native aquatic environment. While in her mech suit, she can function on land, negating the need to return to a water tank. This suit, customized for octopuses, features tentacle arms and a water reservoir, while maintaining a bipedal lower half to better integrate into a world largely dominated by humans. The tentacle arms are crucial for both combat and problem-solving, as demonstrated when Salt uses them to manipulate machinery.
Inspiration for Salt's design reportedly includes the character Krang from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a brain-like entity piloting a humanoid robot body. This was a starting point for conceptualizing how an octopus could effectively operate within a bipedal mech.
Exodus is slated for release in April on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Further details on Salt's combat abilities are expected in future content.