Exodus is a new sci-fi RPG currently in development from Archetype Entertainment, a studio made up of veteran BioWare devs who previously worked on the likes of Mass Effect, Jade Empire, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Baldur's Gate 2.
First announced as one of the surprise reveals during the Game Awards back in 2023, the studio has been revealing a lot more about the upcoming RPG in recent times, with more light shed on its ambitious choice-driven concept surrounding time dilation, as well as its futuristic setting. We've also started to see lots of details dropping about the kind of gameplay we can expect, with another extensive look debuting during the Future Games Show Summer Showcase as part of the Summer Game Fest schedule for 2026.
Widely considered as something of a spiritual successor to Mass Effect (albeit one that's carving its own distinct path), Exodus could fill a BioWare-shaped hole as we continue to wait it out for Mass Effect 5. From interviews with the Archetype team, to trailers, and lots of details on the game's official website, I've brought together a helpful breakdown of everything you need to know about Exodus below so you can get ready for the new game.
Exodus release date speculation
The Exodus release date is currently slated for Early 2027, with only a ballpark launch window to go by as of right now.
The initial estimated release in 2027 was first revealed during the Game Awards 2025, which saw another trailer debut (complete with some strong Mass Effect vibes) during the showcase. At the tail-end of the trailer, it was confirmed that we can expect to see the RPG arrive next year. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for further updates regarding Exodus' release date.
Exodus platforms
Exodus is releasing on PC (via Steam and Epic Games store), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S when it launches in 2027.
With an FAQ on the game's official website confirming Exodus' platforms, there's no mention of Nintendo's console, so we can safely assume that it won't be among the lineup of upcoming Switch 2 games when it initially releases. Still, with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 and (more recently) Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth getting Switch 2 releases, it'll be interesting to see if Exodus ever makes its way to Nintendo's platform.
Exodus trailers
Exodus story and setting
Exodus takes place 40,000 years in the future, and follows the journey of protagonist Jun Aslan. After your ancestors were forced to flee from Earth, they found refuge in the Centauri Cluster, where they settled on a moon within a star system. But when this moon that would become your home is now dying due a mysterious rot, you set out to try and save it.
Said to be what's known as a Traveler who's a "renegade and hunter of ancient secrets", you'll be playing as Jun as you set out to lead humanity's fight against Celestials – evolved human descendants who pose the greatest threat to future generations.
Jun is said to have a unique gift that allows you to interface with Celestial tech "in ways no other human can", and it's up to you to swipe this tech to try and figure out a way to help your people.
Promising to draw you into a galaxy filled with mystery, you'll venture to different worlds and encounter the unique beings who inhabit them along the way. From what we've learned so far, it looks like Exodus will follow in the footsteps of Mass Effect by being made up of open zones rather than going the fully open world route.
Exodus gameplay
We've gotten to see some Exodus gameplay so far that gives us a better idea of what will be in store. As revealed in the extended look (which you can watch above) during the Future Games Show Summer Showcase, you'll be able to customize your Jun "as either male or female, with several options to adjust your appearance". As part of character creation, you'll also be able to choose your initial alignment, be it a virtuous Paladin, or an ambitious immortal, which will shape your Jun and how the world reacts to you.
As a single-player action-adventure RPG with third-person shooter action, footage has shown Jun engaging in fast-paced gunfights with futuristic sci-fi weapons. From talking out flying drones with semi-automatic rifle known as a Piercer that's effective against weak spots, to causing some damage with a mid-range, rapid-fire Repeater rifle, it looks like you'll have plenty in your arsenal, with Jun ducking for cover (it's very reminiscent of Mass Effect in some respects).
While there's been some gun-toting action on display, Exodus will also allow you to take stealthy approaches, with footage showing Jun using a Scramble Cloak to hide their appearance and infiltrate a Celestial chamber filled with Zealot forces. With the ability to tag enemies, disarm laser tripwire mines, and take down unsuspecting foes in close quarters with Jun's gauntlet, you can definitely get sneaky and gain the upper hand over your enemies.
Exploration will also feed into your unique ability to use Celestial tech, with Jun changing the environment, creating platforms, and using a grappling hook-like device to latch onto surfaces and use its rope to swing across. From venturing across volcanic landscapes with caves, to frozen worlds, Exodus looks set to bring you to all kinds of worlds as you set out to complete mission objectives.
And when you're not trying to complete missions, you'll be able to spend some down time in Persepolis, which acts as your primary hub and is a major city for humans and Awakened.
For more, you can check out our Exodus hands-on preview.
Exodus choice and consequence
Exodus looks set to channel the best story-driven RPGs by putting emphasis on player choice and impactful consequences. As we explored in our interview with Karpyshyn, time dilation is going to have a key part to play in our role as a Traveler, and it also ties into the choices and consequences system in the RPG.
Time dilation is "a concept distorted by the unfathomable speeds at which you traverse through space," whereby what seems "like mere hours or days to you can equate to years, even decades, passing for those you leave behind". Think Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar (funnily enough, McConaughey actually stars in the game as a mentor figure in C.C. Orlev, with the lead devs saying that the Interstellar movie had a big influence on the direction of Exodus")
Every time you venture out, or go on an "exodus" in space as a Traveler, you'll not only face danger, you'll also directly impact those you care about with your absence, and the choices you make while on your interstellar missions will be "magnified" by the time dilation; the people of your world often feel the consequences of your actions as well as those you bond with.
"Time Dilation is one of the defining elements of our story," says Karpysyhn, "so we want to make sure that we pay it off in ways that players will really, really appreciate."
Exodus companions
Of course, Jun won't be trying to save the day alone, either, with a diverse cast of companions joining you along the way. With some said to have personal stakes in your mission, others will bring unique, specialized skills to the fray that will help you in your bid for survival against the Celestials.
The first two companions you meet in the RPG were introduced properly in the Future Games Show Summer Showcase. First, there's Elise, who's said to be an "impatient mech pilot that loves to blow stuff up" and likes to brute force her way through conflicts. And then there's Tom, an experienced Traveler who teaches you the ropes. Opting to be more cautious in his approach, Tom provides you with a moral perspective.
You'll also encounter an Awakened octopus called Salt who joins your side, and in the city of Persepolis, you'll meet companion Pheadra Nath, a genius scientist and technician who's eager to help your cause. As you make choices, your companions will also have thoughts and feelings about your actions, with approval ratings popping up in the extended gameplay footage.
Romance can also come into play, too, with opportunities to form deep bonds with the company you keep. In an interview with GamesRadar+, narrative director Drew Karpyshyn explained that the team wanted to make relationships realistic in the sense that the companions won't love you just because you're playing the protagonist.
"We want to keep it realistic in a way that is challenging and fun for the players, so that you can't just be like 'I'm the focus of the game, I get to romance whoever I want, and they just love me because I'm me.' I don't think that's very entertaining for people. So we really focus on that. And then we've also focused on the emotional impact."
Who is developing Exodus?
Exodus is being developed by Archetype Entertainment, a studio formed back in 2019 and backed by developer and publisher Wizards of the Coast under Hasbro.
Originally founded by BioWare veteran James Ohlen, whose credits include lead designer on Dragon Age: Origins, and lead designer / creative director on Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Ohlen parted ways with the studio in late 2025. Explaining that he left on amicable terms, Ohlen said that "stepping back made sense", after working on the project for more than six years.
The team is made up of fellow former BioWare devs, including Drew Karpyshyn, who's working on Exodus as narrative director. Karpyshyn previously worked on the likes of Jade Empire, Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Baldur's Gate. Jesse Sky, who also worked on KOTR, is part of the team as creative director. Other talent includes devs from AAA RPG studios such as Naughty Dog, 343 Industries, and Blizzard.
If you're looking for something to play while you wait, be sure to check out our pick of the best sci-fi RPGs.
