New Sci-Fi RPG EXODUS: "You Can't See Everything in a Single Playthrough

What the report says

Currently in development by Archetype Entertainment, 'EXODUS' is an action RPG combining a vast sci-fi universe with player choice. Industry veterans who worked on 'Dragon Age', 'Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic', and 'Mass Effect' are participating in its development. Archetype has set a goal to combine world-class storytelling with deep emotional resonance, broad player agency, and modern gameplay into one package.The game is set on 'Lidon', a planet settled by a human ark ship 200 years ago. Although Lidon was terraformed by ancient Celestials, the technology that maintained its habitable environment has been infected by 'the Rot' and is slowly collapsing.

Players take on the role of 'Jun Aslan', heir to legendary Traveler Orion Aslan, and must search for Celestial technology to save their home and loved ones.'Time Dilation' is the defining feature that sets 'EXODUS' apart from other sci-fi RPGs. The game's universe obeys the theory of relativity, with no faster-than-light travel. While only a few days pass for a Traveler traveling to another star system, years or even decades slip by back home. The choices players make before departing reshape society, technology, and personal relationships in the meantime, leading to unexpected consequences upon their return.At the Bilibili First Look held on the 2nd, media were able to hands-on demo a section of 'EXODUS', which is currently in development.

In the interview that followed, Archetype Entertainment Narrative Director Drew Karpyshyn and Creative Director Jesse Sky spoke about Time Dilation, player choice, the dynasty system, companions, combat, and the future of the world of 'EXODUS'.How large was the hands-on demo section relative to the full game? I'm also curious about the overall playtime.Drew: What we showed today is just one of many missions, and even a portion of that mission was cut short for the demo. The final game will feature various types of missions. What you played today was a standard mission within the current star system, not an 'Exodus' mission where you directly experience Time Dilation.You prepare for larger Exodus missions by completing these standard missions.

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In addition, there is an RPG hub where you can enjoy optional content. While we haven't officially announced the overall playtime yet, it will be on the scale of tens of hours.How does 'Time Dilation', the core mechanic of the game, impact actual gameplay?Drew: It can be divided into two main aspects. First, in various missions, you acquire powerful Celestial artifacts called 'Remnants'. You can choose how to utilize them for your civilization, and when you return after embarking on an Exodus, you will see the planet dramatically transformed based on those decisions.Jesse: There are also narrative shifts.

While the player is away, characters age and live out their lives. When you return, your relationships with them may no longer be the same. While I can't go into specific details due to spoilers, Time Dilation is less of a simple gameplay gimmick and more of a core narrative pillar structuring the entire story.It's a bit hard to grasp how time passes every time the player travels. Is the game progression quite linear in structure? How much freedom is given to the player?Drew: The mission you experienced in this demo uses a structure we call 'Open Linear'.

You have an objective to follow, but there are also areas along the way where you can explore your surroundings.By playing through these standard missions multiple times, you secure companions and resources, prepare personnel and ships, and then embark on larger-scale 'Exodus' missions. Upon returning from an Exodus, the consequences of your choices manifest, opening up new content or causing existing content to disappear depending on what decisions you made. As a result, you cannot experience all content in a single playthrough.Jesse: Player freedom manifests less in simply where you travel and more in who you build relationships with and what choices you make.

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There is also a substantial amount of optional content prepared.Are there romance options as well? Can you date Salt?Drew: Of course, there are plenty of romance options. However, just like in real life, things don't always go the way you want. If you don't make the right choices, a relationship might end differently than expected.As for Salt... no. Salt has preferences too. From Salt's perspective, humans don't have enough arms.Do affinity or relationships with companions actually affect the main story and ending?Drew: To an extent, yes. Talking about it in too much detail would spoil things, but the relationships you build with companions impact the outcomes in the late game.