Exploring EXODUS: A New Game from BioWare Vets

Archetype Entertainment, led by ex-BioWare folks like James Ohlen and Drew Karpyshyn, has unveiled the first gameplay preview for their debut game, EXODUS. This game looks strikingly similar to Mass Effect, which isn't surprising given the team's past. The trailer showed off conversations between the main character, Juno, and their companions, as well as combat, stealth, and even a grappling hook against an armored bear. EXODUS isn't an open-world game; it focuses on specific missions like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect. However, players will still have room to explore and find optional content. The game is an action RPG where choices have long-lasting effects on Juno's homeworld over decades or centuries. Juno's mission is to retrieve lost technology to fight off the Celestials, blending the adventure of Indiana Jones with the leadership of Dune's Paul Atreides.Time dilation due to near-lightspeed travel adds an interesting twist. While Juno and their team experience trips in days or weeks, years or decades pass on their homeworld. This creates unique story progression, something BioWare vets are known for. EXODUS also features deep relationships and potential romances with companions, along with a magical-like power system using a "lifestone. " Developed with Certain Affinity, EXODUS will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X. Though there's no release date yet, the developers hinted more gameplay will be shown soon. In the meantime, fans can enjoy the novel or watch the Blur Studio's Secret Level episode on Amazon Prime Video.