Mass Effect fans have been waiting for a new major space RPG adventure for years, and the new Mass Effect just won't come. If the latest showcase of the game Exodus is anything to go by, they may have just found what they are looking for.
During the Future Games Show Summer Showcase, the studio Archetype Entertainment presented nearly 20 minutes of gameplay from its ambitious sci-fi adventure, and given that the project is backed by numerous veterans of the former BioWare, comparisons to Mass Effect are almost inevitable.
However, Exodus has several ideas that clearly set it apart from its famous predecessor.
The story follows Juna Arslana, the protagonist whose task is to stop a mysterious threat known as The Rot, a space virus that threatens to destroy the planet Liden. As in classic BioWare RPGs, players will gather a crew of companions during the adventure, build relationships with them, and make decisions that shape the development of the story. Among the first introduced allies are the unusual Salt, a being resembling an intelligent octopus, and scientist Fedra, who will play an important role during the exploration of the galaxy. The most interesting element of the entire game is the system called Time Dilation. While the protagonist is on missions across the universe, decades can pass on certain planets. In other words, when you return to a location you previously visited, you might find a completely different society, new political relations, or even people who have aged or disappeared during your absence. This means that your decisions will not only affect events at the moment you make them but also entire generations that come after them. If the system fulfills its potential, it could become one of the most interesting RPG mechanics in recent years.
The gameplay also showcased a combination of exploration, stealth, and action combat. Jun will use active camouflage for sneaking and eliminating enemies, while open conflicts involve a variety of futuristic weapons and gadgets. Special attention was drawn to the submarine management system during battles. During a showdown with a mechanical boss, players can temporarily pause the action and issue commands to team members, which immediately evokes memories of the best moments from Mass Effect and Dragon Age. Puzzle sequences were also shown within alien ruins, where Jun uses a specially modified glove called Lance to solve obstacles and activate ancient technologies. All together, it leaves the impression of a game that tries to combine the narrative depth of classic BioWare RPGs with a more modern approach to action and exploration.
Game director Chad Robertson confirmed that Exodus is in the final stages of development and that the studio will gradually reveal new details over the coming months.
The game is expected to arrive in early 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
As someone who still considers the Mass Effect trilogy one of the peaks of the RPG genre, I must admit that Exodus has finally shown something more than just pretty trailers and big promises. Whether it will succeed in meeting expectations is too early to say. But after this gameplay showcase, for the first time, it feels like we might actually get a spiritual successor to one of the best sci-fi RPG franchises of all time.
