Get ready to explore a vast, futuristic universe brimming with adventure and intrigue in “Exodus,” the highly anticipated debut title from Archetype Entertainment. While the game promises deep character interactions and engaging storylines, one particular fan-favorite won’t be available for romance: Salt, the charismatic octopus.
Meet Salt, The Unromancable Octopus
Like many narrative RPGs, “Exodus” allows players to forge romantic relationships with their companions. However, developer Archetype Entertainment has confirmed that Salt, a beloved character who became” target=”_blank”>gained significant attention following her appearance in the game’s trailer during Gamescom 2026″ target=”_blank”>Gamescom 6, is off-limits. Salt, an “Awakened” being from Old Earth, travels the Centauri Cluster in a custom mech suit due to her inability to survive long periods out of water.
“Salt just thinks humans are gross,” hands-on Exodus preview” target=”_blank”>narrative director Drew Karpyshyn told Polygon. “It’s, like, ‘They have four legs? That’s weird. That’s not enough legs. Yeah, no, not enough.’”
Romance Options and Character Diversity
Beyond Salt, “Exodus” boasts a roster of intriguing companions ripe for romantic entanglement. Your party includes Tom Vargas, an interstellar explorer known as a Traveler; Elise Charroux, a cryogenically frozen mercenary from the 23rd century; Phaedra Nath, a blind archaeologist who uses drones to perceive her surroundings; Suliman, another wealthy Traveler; and Emrys, a Celestial – a post-human evolved far beyond standard human genetics. “Exodus” is set 40,000 years in the future.
A key feature of “Exodus” is its inclusive approach to romance. “Our romances are not gender-locked at all,” Karpyshyn explained. This contrasts with games like BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy, where certain romance options were restricted based on Commander Shepherd’s gender. Garrus was only available to female Shepherds, while Tali was reserved for male protagonists.
Building Relationships and Making Choices
In “Exodus,” initiating a romantic relationship requires active engagement. The game features a morality system that tracks your actions, influencing your Paladin (blue) or Immortal (red) rating. Your choices throughout the game, from critical mission decisions to casual conversations, impact your affinity with party members. To pursue a romance, you must cultivate this affinity.
“You’re not going to accidentally get into a romance,” Karpyshyn emphasized. “Unless you’re trying.”
Furthermore, the game emphasizes that not everyone can be won over. Committing to one character might close off opportunities with others. You may discover undesirable traits in characters you initially found appealing, or perhaps that moral conflict is part of the attraction.
“We want these relationships to feel real,” Karpyshyn stated. “We want players to face choices and have those fun, agonizing moments where they’re, like, ‘Oh, what do I do here?'”
“Exodus” will be released on April 7, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. You can read our hands-on Exodus preview” target=”_blank”>hands-on preview here and our interview with its creators here” target=”_blank”>interview with the developers.
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