Exodus Preview: Hands-On with a Weird, Choice-Driven Space

Exodus, the upcoming action-RPG from Archetype Entertainment, is a lot weirder than expected. This preview, based on a hands-on session at gamescom 2026, describes a game that blends a serious, galactic-scale sci-fi story with moments of pure cosmic freakout, including rescuing a talking frog the size of a small car.

According to the preview from Xbox Wire, the mission played was set several hours into the game. The player character, Jun, start a rescue mission to save a space station manned by hyper-intelligent frogs from an invading force. Jun is accompanied by two companions: Suliman, a reserved and spiky individual, and Elise, a happy-go-lucky mercenary who operates in a combat exosuit.

Weighty and Optional Combat

The action-heavy slice showed combat with significant weight and player choice. Jun's primary weapon is the Recycler, a device that can shift form into multiple weapon types, from a burst-fire battle rifle to a shield-annihilating energy weapon. The preview notes that the gunplay feels responsive, a departure for the genre. Beyond the Recycler, Jun can use crafted items like drone-like grenades and an array of Celestial powers. These powers act like cooldown-based spells, allowing for tactics such as sending energy eruptions under enemies or petrifying them for allies to finish off.

Specialized Companion System

Companions Elise and Suliman provide a taste of how squad composition can alter gameplay. While they fight autonomously, each has abilities players can activate mid-fight, including ultimate-style attacks. Suliman leans towards stealth, with powers to phase behind enemies for melee takedowns or eliminate multiple foes at once. Elise is more direct, capable of firing rocket salvos for massive area-of-effect damage. The preview suggests players will choose companions for tactical reasons as much as for personal affinity, with a larger roster promised for the full game.

A Complex Morality System

Exodus further evolves the morality systems seen in similar RPGs. It moves beyond simple good-versus-evil binaries into what the preview describes as "individualist vs. Egalitarian" choices. The system is deepened by Traveler Oaths, which subdivide the core paths-Paladin and Immortal-into more honed personality definitions. Adding another layer, companions react differently to various Oaths, meaning players must manage relationships while pursuing their chosen path.

Everything in the preview points to a game designed to deepen the action-RPG genre. Combat offers more diversity and choice, companions are more specialized, and morality is richer and more complex. The session concluded with the sense that in a universe where you take a near-FTL trip to save frogs, anything could happen. Exodus is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC on April 7, 2027, and will support Xbox Play Anywhere.