Archetype Entertainment's upcoming RPG, Exodus, is aiming to fill the space-opera void left by other titles, drawing clear inspiration from BioWare's Mass Effect series. Early hands-on impressions suggest the game successfully channels the emotional, character-driven storytelling and engaging combat that defined Commander Shepard's journey. The developers are not shying away from these comparisons, and from initial gameplay, it appears Exodus is poised to deliver a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
During a preview, players took on the role of Jun Aslan, infiltrating a space construct known as Khonsu to liberate the enslaved Kay, a species of hyper-intelligent frogs. This mission served as a crucible for Exodus's core gameplay loop: third-person shooting augmented by commanding two party members' abilities through a wheel that activates during a time-slow effect. The combat feels like a deliberate evolution of Mass Effect's mechanics, with distinct roles for companions like Elise, who specializes in heavy attacks and armor-piercing, and Suliman, an agile agent focused on high damage output.
Players can combine standard weaponry with Jun's sci-fi gauntlet abilities, which include tools like EMP grenades, explosive projectiles, and a shield-piercing weapon. Jun also possesses Glyphs, special moves such as Petrify, which can freeze enemies, and Erupt, which can shatter them. The combat encourages synergy between Jun and his companions, allowing for primer-detonator style combos. While stealth elements are present, particularly with Suliman's Shadow Step ability for stealth takedowns, the game emphasizes impactful, chunky combat with abilities like ground pounds that send enemies airborne.
The mission featured a variety of encounters, from standard human enemies to more formidable alien-esque mechanized foes and heavily armored opponents. While some enemy types functioned as bullet sponges, they provided an opportunity to test the full range of the party's combat capabilities. The preview culminated in a boss fight against Captain Irina Bruin, an Awakened bear. This encounter focused heavily on dodging and utilizing the environment, with charged pillars offering some verticality. While challenging, the hope is that future boss fights will more intricately integrate the game's core combat systems.
Exodus will feature explorable hub areas alongside its linear mission design. During missions, players can discover optional objectives and hidden areas by utilizing Jun's abilities, such as Petrify to freeze obstructions or Shape to manipulate the environment. These explorations can yield tangible rewards like gear and crafting materials, as well as unique character interactions that offer lore and can influence party member alignment. The RPG's progression system appears robust, with multiple character branches like Soldier, Knight, Prodigy, and Oracle, each offering different perks and playstyle enhancements. Many Gauntlet Glyphs were locked during the preview, hinting at deeper build customization.
The narrative offers significant player choice, exemplified by a decision regarding the Kay's communication beacons. After their liberation, Suliman suggests altering the beacons to ensure loyalty. Players can choose to support this plan or reject it, prioritizing freedom over enforced security. This choice, and Jun's dialogue asserting the right of sentient beings to self-determination, highlights the game's narrative ambitions. This decision point also serves as an early demonstration of Exodus's Paladin/Immortal morality system, which narrative director Drew Karpyshyn described as a balance between preserving humanity and embracing calculated decisions, rather than a simple good versus evil dichotomy. These choices are visually represented by blue and red dialogue options, reminiscent of Mass Effect's Paragon and Renegade systems, with the expectation that accumulated decisions will shape the player character.
Exodus incorporates a distinct sense of humor, seen in characters like 42C, a frog operative with an irreverent attitude. While some levity is present, the game also grapples with weighty themes, including humanity's survival and the implications of time dilation and relativity, which will affect characters differently based on their temporal experiences. The inclusion of romance options regardless of gender, the ability to play as male or female Jun, and a relationship system tied to alignment all contribute to an ambitious scope, aiming to deliver the impactful storytelling of a grand space opera.