The first hands-on demo of Exodus awes and delights with its lofty ambition

Exodus by Archetype Entertainment has all the fixings to follow in the footsteps of gaming’s sci-fi greats. And it’s not just Mass Effect, even though the Texas-based studio was founded by a few BioWare veterans who worked on the likes of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2.

The Exodus reveal at last year’s Game Awards was very exciting, setting the stage for this sci-fi epic to be ambitious, vibrant, and sprawling. It promised the depth of a well-fleshed-out world, an engaging story with a cataclysmic threat looming over it, a variety of combat mechanics to accommodate different play styles, and, of course, in true Mass Effect fashion, numerous companions to connect with, explore the world, fight side by side with, and romance.

But the recent hands-on preview of Exodus at Gamescom showed that the big promise has merit, but most importantly? Exodus is just plain fun to play.

In the demo, players are thrust into a mission that takes place closer to the beginning of the game, with enough tools and skills already unlocked to give a good taste of combat and traversal mechanics, as well as the powerful companion abilities that offer immense aid when needed.

Salt, the companion featured heavily in the debut trailers and teases of Exodus to-date, isn’t present; instead, we get to meet Suliman and Elise, humans who join Jun Aslan, the main playable character, on a mission to the Celestial-built orbital base of Khonsu. There, Jun and his team, and the player alongside them, can mow down enemies, try out the tactical companion abilities, and see how they can turn the tide in battle.

What impresses most about the “Breaching Khonsu” gameplay is the sheer variety of arsenal Jun has, supplied by several skill trees, special-ability-granting glyphs, and weapon capabilities. According to Exodus game director Chris King, Jun’s main firearm, the Recycler, can turn into several types of guns, and I have to take his word for it, because I didn’t even try swapping out its modes during the demo—the constant onslaught of action and on-screen tips to engage companions or activate special abilities kept me at the edge of my seat as is throughout the 45 minutes I was allotted with the game.

While the focus in that particular mission was undoubtedly combat, especially of the third-person shooter variety, players more keen on the RPG elements and exploration needn’t worry—with fluid controls and an ambitious and variable skill tree, the experience felt adaptable and versatile, no matter the player’s skill level. There was also freedom to explore nooks and crannies, and delight in the payoff for deviating from the marked path.

Being thrust into the mission without the benefit of much exposition, a clear understanding of Jun’s time dilation abilities, or how his glyph glove works, I was still able to intuit how to platform, traverse, and expose secrets. The preview showcased some excellent voice acting, sharp writing and wit, making Mass Effect influences undeniable.

While this was most certainly a highly curated slice of gameplay, what I saw makes me incredibly excited for the game’s full release. The sheer overwhelm at what is possible in the Exodus world makes it all the more thrilling.

Exodus is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on April 7, 2027.

Header image credit: Archetype