The other day, we published an interview about the open-world action-adventure game "Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons" from Wizards of the Coast (hereinafter WotC).
WotC has released many games, such as “Magic: The Gathering” and “Dungeons & Dragons,” and “EXODUS,” which we’re introducing here, is one of them.
We spoke with the developers, who were in Japan for the Tokyo Game Show 2026, and got to play “EXODUS” ourselves.
The sci-fi elements and exhilarating combat of “EXODUS” revealed through hands-on gameplay
"EXODUS" is a single-player, third-person sci-fi action-adventure RPG developed by Archetype Entertainment, a subsidiary of WotC.
First unveiled at The Game Awards 2023, this title is the debut game from Archetype Entertainment, led by James Ohlen—a former BioWare developer known for titles such as “Baldur’s Gate” and “Mass Effect.”
Reportedly drawing inspiration from "DUNE," "Star Wars," and "Interstellar," the game centers on the concept of “time dilation” caused by sublight space travel.
A glimpse into this epic story—where even a brief moment for the player can mean decades passing back home—was revealed, drawing significant attention.
In this playthrough, we’ll take on a mission to visit “Cons,” an orbital space station operated by the Kay tribe, and eliminate the threat.
Who exactly are the Kay tribe…?
Please note that the screenshots and specifications shown below are from the development version.
They are subject to change in the final release.
Combat takes place from a third-person perspective.
Since the story had progressed somewhat, I was equipped with a three-round burst rifle, as well as a shotgun for close range and weapons specialized for stealth.
You can gain the upper hand in combat by issuing commands to your companions.
Saliman is a stealth-type character who can become invisible, while Elize appears to be a juggernaut-type character encased in massive armor.
Use missiles to force your way through against shield-wielding enemies!
The protagonist, Jun, also has “glyphs” equipped on his gauntlet, allowing him to activate various effects.
Destroy any obstacles blocking your path with “Eruption”!
If a laser beam is in the way...
Poof.
If you solidify it like this, you’ll be able to pass through.
Of course, you can use it in combat, too.
You’ll even spot some unique enemies along the way.
MODs dropped as loot from unique enemies.
MODs are like attachments that can be equipped to weapons, and each one has its own unique characteristics.
The “xml-ph-0001@deepl.internal” that dropped this time is quite powerful, increasing the rate of fire by 15 %.
Since they seem to have different rarities, there’s also a deep gameplay element where you keep running missions until your favorite MOD drops.
You can also check your inventory, suit, and skills on the menu screen.
In this playthrough, I used a suit with basic stats, but let’s look forward to seeing some unique ones as well.
A skill tree is available for the protagonist, Jun.
There are various types, including skills specialized for standard infantry combat, those that improve durability, those that enhance glyphs, and those that boost stealth performance.
Which path you choose depends on your playstyle.
This time, I decided to boost my glyphs and play as flashily as possible.
...and along the way, I came across a fallen enemy soldier.
He was already badly wounded and didn’t seem hostile.
In "EXODUS," the player’s small choices eventually snowball into a major wave that affects the future of the entire story.
The “Friendly” and “Hostile” options are marked…
This time, choosing the hostile option raised my Immortal rank.
In another scene, I was able to—not purchase, but forcibly take —the key card needed to enter a room.
Within the scope of this playthrough, I couldn’t confirm to what extent these choices significantly impact the scenario, but the development team has positioned this system at the core of the game.
Especially since “time lag” is a central theme, it really sparks the imagination to think about how past events could affect the future years down the line.
Well, after all that, I finally met the Kay tribe’s “42C.”
In “EXODUS,” intelligent beings other than humans (collectively known as the “Awakened”) have established their own habitats.
The Kay tribe are frog-like Awakened.
"EXODUS"公式サイト
In addition, “Salt,” an octopus mercenary who supports the vanguard with his massive armor, is featured in the trailer, and “Houston,” a wolf, also plays a major role in the story.
Toward the end of the mission, you’ll find yourself facing off against a giant bear.
Captain Irina Bruin—apparently, she had a proper name and rank.
Your skills will be put to the test as you figure out how to handle her wildly unpredictable behavior.
...And that’s where our hands-on playthrough ended.
Finally, we spoke with Drew Karpyshyn, Narrative Director for “EXODUS,” and Jesse Sky, Creative Director.
About half a year until release! We asked about the development status and game systems
Q. How does the story change depending on whether you consistently choose friendly or hostile options?
We refer to them as “Paladin” and “Immortal,” respectively.
While the Paladin is based on a human-centric perspective and the Immortal on a Celestial-centric one, these choices aren’t always symmetrical.
You can choose either path, and your choices will bring about changes to your abilities and core aspects of the story.
Q. Is it possible to complete every battle using stealth?
There are three main combat styles in "EXODUS."
These are gunfights using weapons, combat using glyphs, and stealth combat.
You can specialize in any of these through the skill tree, and your companions also have their own strengths and weaknesses.
While it’s generally possible to focus primarily on stealth, there are certain battles—such as events and boss fights—that cannot be overcome using stealth alone.
Q. With about half a year left until release, what aspects of development are you currently focusing on?
We’re focusing on animation and combat balance adjustments.
We’re aiming for a high-quality finish in every aspect of this game—from the setting and story to the characters and combat.
We’ll continue fine-tuning all the elements that bring the main theme of “time lag” to life right up until release.
Q. Is this your first time in Japan?
Drew Karpishun: This is my first time.
Jesse Sky: This is my second time.
Q. Is there anything you’ve been looking forward to?
Drew Karpishun: The food, definitely.
Even just over the past few days, everything I’ve eaten has been of much higher quality and tastier than usual.
Everything is fresh and wonderful, but for me, the food has been a huge part of this experience (laughs).
Jesse Sky: Really, everything.
I love manga, anime, Tokyo, and Japan, and I’m truly honored to be able to come back here.
Q. As a game developer, are there any works that have inspired you?
Drew Karpishun: I’ve always loved “Dungeons & Dragons.”
Also, when it comes to video games, I was greatly influenced by a title I played a long time ago called “MYST.”
That game really showed me that video games can have incredibly deep backstories, narratives, and worlds.
Jesse Sky: “EXODUS” draws inspiration from works like “DUNE,” “Star Wars,” and “Interstellar,” but personally, I love Japanese science fiction.
In particular, I’ve been influenced by “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and “Cowboy Bebop.”
"EXODUS," a new sci-fi action-adventure RPG from former BioWare creators, is scheduled for release on Wednesday, April 7, 2027.
While it has been compared to titles like “Mass Effect” and “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” it also features numerous unique elements, such as “time dilation” caused by interstellar travel and a proprietary combat system.
The deep narrative and world-building—where the player’s choices affect their homeworld and civilization decades into the future—will likely be revealed in future updates.
For more details, please check the "EXODUS" official website and the official X account ( @EXODUSGame ).