PREVIEW – As we wait for the next Mass Effect, a group of ex-BioWare developers has teamed up with other AAA industry veterans to craft Exodus, an ambitious space-faring RPG. Unveiled at The Game Awards 2024, this stunning sci-fi epic is already on our radar, and the latest gameplay trailer has only fueled our excitement.

Exodus is a bold action-RPG with an all-star team, including none other than Matthew McConaughey. The game is being developed by Archetype Entertainment, a studio founded in 2019 under the umbrella of Wizards of the Coast—the company behind Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. The talent pool at Archetype is stacked with BioWare alumni (which explains the strong Mass Effect vibes), alongside veterans from Naughty Dog, 343 Industries, and Electronic Arts.

With its grand vision and powerhouse team, Exodus is quickly climbing the ranks of the most anticipated sci-fi games. But let’s not forget the classics—if you’re into sci-fi gaming, make sure to check out our picks for the best Alien, Marvel, DC, Warhammer 40K, Star Trek, and Star Wars adaptations.

Release Date

So far, Exodus doesn’t have an official release date. However, based on the pre-alpha footage shown in the first trailer, the game seems to be in an advanced development stage. That means we might not have to wait too long.

As it stands, we don’t expect Exodus to launch before late 2025, and a 2026 release wouldn’t be surprising. We’ll be keeping a close eye on updates and will share new details as soon as they drop.

Platforms

From what we’ve seen so far, Exodus boasts cutting-edge visuals and is likely to take full advantage of SSD technology to seamlessly render its vast alien landscapes and intricate environments.

Trailers

The latest Exodus trailer dropped on December 13, 2024, giving us an extended look at gameplay. The atmosphere and visuals scream Mass Effect (which is never a bad thing), but on top of that, it features armored space bears—yes, really.

The very first Exodus trailer was revealed during The Game Awards 2023 on December 8, featuring a bit of a “Muse twist.” You can check it out here:

On the same day, a cinematic trailer titled “Become the Traveler” was also released, offering a deeper glimpse into the game’s universe. It’s a mix of inspiration and mystery—exactly the kind of mood a strong sci-fi campaign needs to establish early on.

More recently, the official Exodus YouTube channel and social media pages have started rolling out fresh content on the alien species we’ll encounter in the game. Several Q&A videos have also surfaced, shedding light on the developers’ vision for the project.

On June 13, 2024, we got yet another peek into the game’s lore with the Exodus Green Worlds trailer:

So far, the lineup of alien species includes the menacing Mara Yama (massive, Lovecraftian nightmares), their terrifying Koven creatures, the almost mythical Awakened Ravens, the resilient Arkavir, and yes—those armored space bears. As a bonus, every alien species in the game’s trailers is narrated by Matthew McConaughey, so you’ll want to check them out for that reason alone.

What’s the Story Behind Exodus?

At first glance, Exodus might seem like a straightforward sci-fi adventure, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find an intricate timeline packed with interstellar wars, rising empires, and ancient mysteries. So, strap in and prepare for a deep dive into its expansive lore!

In the year 2200 AD—roughly 40,000 years ago by today’s standards—humanity was forced to flee a dying Earth in search of a new home among the stars. The first wave of colossal ark ships reached the Centauri Cluster in 18,000 AD. Once they settled on habitable worlds, they broadcasted a “Green Worlds” signal, calling the remaining arks to follow. But with the signal traveling at sublight speed, it took centuries for others to arrive. In the meantime, these early settlers laid the foundations of vast interstellar civilizations and mighty empires.

Over the millennia, these empires rose and fell, while humanity itself evolved through advanced genetic engineering. Some of these altered humans, known as Celestials, splintered into countless distinct subspecies. Conflict between empires raged on until 28,000 AD, culminating in the brutal Formation Wars. Meanwhile, late-arriving human arks, technologically inferior to their predecessors, were pushed to the fringes of settled space, forced to eke out an existence on remote, less desirable worlds.

Two thousand years after the wars, a Celestial faction known as the Elohim took control, uniting the Centauri systems through an interstellar network. This ushered in a golden age of trade and exploration lasting nearly 5,000 years. Peace and prosperity became the norm, and even after the Elohim faded into history, their successor empires upheld their most sacred laws.

One of the Elohim’s greatest innovations was a form of hyper-advanced technology that allowed entire planets to be relocated to new star systems. One such world was Lidon, where a long-lost human ark finally arrived in 41,500 AD. Stranded among the ruins of the extinct Celestial civilization known as the Detenir, humanity struggled to survive for two centuries—until a leader emerged: a traveler named Orion Aslan.

Known as the “Travelers,” Orion and his followers ventured deep into uncharted space, scavenging Celestial technology to uplift Lidon’s people and arm them against the dominant Celestial empires. Orion founded the Aslan Dynasty, ruling his homeworld in absentia as he continued his search for lost knowledge across the stars. (Yes, time dilation plays a crucial role in the story.)

In a final Exodus, Orion sought to create the perfect heir, a being of both Celestial and human DNA—his son, Jun Aslan. But after Orion vanished, his half-brother, Gideon Aslan, seized control, transforming Lidon into his personal empire. Players will take on the role of Jun, a relentless seeker of secrets with the unique ability to interface with Celestial technology, using it to fight back against the greatest threats to humanity.

What Kind of Game is Exodus?

Exodus is an action-adventure RPG blending third-person gunplay, melee combat, exploration, and social interactions. The game’s protagonist is constantly outnumbered and overpowered, forcing players to rely on stealth, strategic decision-making, and more than just sheer firepower.

Throughout their journey, players will travel across the Centauri Cluster, setting foot on uncharted and often hostile worlds. This includes uncovering ancient ruins, engaging with alien cultures, and encountering civilizations descended from the first wave of human settlers. However, with near-light-speed travel, time itself becomes an obstacle—while players spend mere days or weeks on distant missions, entire decades or even centuries will pass back home.

Finally, Exodus embraces one of the most beloved elements of the Mass Effect series: loyal companions and allies. Expect a cast of Celestial and human characters, each with their own unique skills and personal stories that will unfold throughout the game.

-Gergely Herpai „BadSector”-