EXODUS Shows 20 Minutes of Gameplay and Mass Effect Fans Will Feel Right at Home

Archetype Entertainment has delivered the biggest gameplay look yet at EXODUS, the upcoming science fiction action RPG from a studio founded by former BioWare developers. Revealed during the latest Future Game Show 2026 presentation, the new 20 minute preview gives players a deeper look at the game’s world, combat, companions, moral choices, hub structure, and the time dilation system that could become one of its most defining features.

For Mass Effect fans, the influence is immediately clear. EXODUS is being developed by creators with deep experience in cinematic science fiction RPGs, and the latest showcase makes that lineage even more visible. The game blends squad relationships, moral alignment, space exploration, alien technology, branching consequences, and tactical third person combat into a structure that feels built for players who have been waiting for a new narrative driven sci fi RPG with real stakes.

Players take on the role of Jun Aslan, a salvager living on the outskirts of Lidon. Jun was orphaned from a once powerful family and carries a mysterious genetic trait that allows him to interact with ancient Celestial technology. That ability may become the key to saving his homeworld from the Rot, a terrifying Celestial virus that is pushing humanity toward extinction.

The Rot is not described as a simple infection. It intelligently and adaptively rewrites Celestial programming, making it feel almost alive. This gives the central threat a more dangerous identity, as Jun and his crew must travel across the Centauri Cluster, explore ancient ruins, survive deadly planets, and recover powerful alien Remnants that could help uncover a cure.

Players can customize Jun as either male or female, with multiple appearance options available. At the start of EXODUS, players choose an initial alignment: the virtuous Paladin or the ambitious Immortal. This decision changes how the world responds to Jun and also affects progression. The selected alignment determines which abilities can be upgraded and how certain powers evolve over time.

That system will immediately feel familiar to Mass Effect fans, as later choices can contribute toward either alignment path in a way that strongly recalls the classic Paragon and Renegade structure. The difference is that EXODUS appears to tie alignment more directly into ability growth, giving moral identity a stronger mechanical role in character development.

One of the game’s most distinctive ideas remains time dilation. Because Jun and the crew travel at near lightspeed across enormous distances, days experienced by the crew can become weeks or months for the people back home. This means player decisions are not limited to mission outcomes. What players prioritize, which Remnants they recover, and how long they spend away from Lidon can all change what happens to the world and the people left behind.

The gameplay preview also introduces Persepolis, the primary hub city on Lidon. Jun returns to Persepolis after expeditions, using the city to accept new missions, upgrade gear, speak with characters, and observe how previous choices have reshaped society. The city is home to both humans and Awakened species, creating a busy social space filled with merchants, soldiers, medics, and other residents from both communities.

The Awakened are one of EXODUS’ more interesting world building elements. They are highly intelligent animals that were brought aboard ark ships and enhanced through bioengineering and cybernetics. In this universe, they are not treated as simple companions or background creatures. They speak, think, work, fight, run shops, serve as mercenaries, and exist throughout the social structure of Lidon.

• The showcase introduced 6 companions who will join Jun’s journey.

• Phaedra Nath is a renowned xeno archaeologist whose story is closely connected to the Celestials. Her relationship with Jun evolves over time and may shape both of their futures.

• Tom Vargas is an experienced Traveler who acts as a cautious and morally grounded guide, helping Jun understand the dangers of life beyond Lidon.

• Elise Charroux is an impatient mech pilot who prefers brute force and has a clear love for explosions.

• Salt is an Awakened octopus mercenary, deadly and intelligent, with a strictly contractual view of loyalty.

• Houston is another Awakened companion and one of Jun’s friends from the beginning of the story.

• C.C. Orlev is a mysterious space cowboy voiced by Matthew McConaughey. During the showcase, he appears as an enigmatic figure who gives Jun a Recycler upgrade.

Combat also received a much deeper breakdown. One of Jun’s key weapons is the Recycler, a flexible firearm that shifts between multiple modes. Repeater mode provides steady mid range fire, Shredder mode supports close quarters impact, and Piercer mode is built for long range precision. This gives players a single weapon platform that can adapt to different combat situations.

Jun also gains access to The Gauntlet, a powerful artifact inherited from Jun’s father. The Gauntlet evolves as Jun salvages alien technology, unlocking new abilities and expanding combat options. Several powers were shown during the presentation.

• Eruption launches enemies and reshapes livestone terrain.

• Lance delivers piercing strikes and clears Rot produced bramble.

• Precognition marks enemy locations.

• Scramble Cloak enables stealth attacks.

• Sonic Lure draws enemies into position.

The important detail is that EXODUS does not appear to force players into one combat style. Direct combat is supported, but stealth is also a valid option, which separates it from Mass Effect’s more combat focused mission design. Players can approach encounters more tactically, using abilities, positioning, stealth, and companion dynamics depending on the situation.

Choice remains a central pillar of the game. The showcase included a tense moment where Jun must choose between Elise and Tom. Elise wants to vent an airlock to clear enemies quickly, while Tom warns that innocent dock workers may still be inside. These decisions can affect the crew, the story, and the people back home. Some consequences will appear immediately, while others may only become clear after time has passed.

That delayed consequence structure could become one of EXODUS’ strongest narrative systems. The combination of moral alignment, companion reactions, time dilation, and world state changes gives Archetype Entertainment a strong framework for meaningful player choice. If executed well, EXODUS could deliver the kind of reactive science fiction RPG experience that many fans have been hoping to see for years.

EXODUS is currently in the final stretch of development and is planned to launch in early 2027. The game is coming to PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store.

For now, EXODUS looks like one of the most promising narrative science fiction RPGs on the horizon. Its Mass Effect inspiration is clear, but the game is also building its own identity through time dilation, Awakened species, Celestial technology, the Rot, alignment based progression, and a companion driven journey across the Centauri Cluster. If Archetype can polish the performance issues seen in the showcase, EXODUS could become one of 2027’s most important RPG releases.

Are you most excited for EXODUS because of its Mass Effect style companion system, its time dilation choices, or its tactical combat and alien technology?