Extending over “years, decades, and even centuries”…
Exodus, a new space RPG from genre veterans, will have multiple endings based on your choices.
Let’s take a step back and consider how time dilation affects memory. Archetype Entertainment, a new studio led by James Ohlen, Chad Robertson, and Chris King, recently announced Exodus. Their shared gameography contains some of the best RPGs ever made, with Ohlen in particular being credited as the lead designer on BioWare classics like the original Baldur’s Gate, KOTOR, and Jade Empire.
Exodus’ announcement trailer had a Mass Effect-like sheen to it, and we now know that the RPG shares another feature with the classic trilogy: multiple endings. “The ending is something that we’re putting a lot of work into,” Ohlen says in the team’s first Q&A video. “Time dilation, and how it impacts the choices you make, is the core of the game. It’s what Exodus is all about.”
For those who haven’t seen Exodus’ first trailer, which is embedded above, the general setup is inspired by Interstellar, in which time moves differently for our spacefaring main character than it does for their family or the entire civilization. That means our decisions will have long-term consequences, and we’ll be able to see the ‘future’ firsthand
“You’re gonna be able to make momentous decisions and you’re gonna be able to see the results of those decisions over the course of years, decades, and even centuries,” Ohlen continued.
Aside from space-time shenanigans, the team discussed the game’s third-person combat, fantasy inspirations, Centauri Cluster setting, and the now-required alien romance. Exodus does not yet have a release date, but it will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC when it is ready.