As a long-time fan of the Mass Effect series, with its memorable characters and engaging romances, I was eager to delve into the romantic landscape of Exodus. Developed by a team with roots at BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect, it’s natural to draw comparisons. Let’s explore the ins and outs of intimacy in this upcoming sci-fi RPG.
Romance Options: Who’s Available?
At gamescom, I had the opportunity to speak with game director Chris King, narrative director Drew Karpyshyn, and general manager Chad Robertson. One of my first questions was about a particularly intriguing possibility: could you romance an octopus?
While Exodus features a diverse cast of companions, some of whom are non-human, the answer to that question is a firm no. Salt, an “Awakened” octopus who pilots a specialized combat mech, might seem like a tempting prospect, but she’s not interested in human romance. According to Karpyshyn, “Sadly, no romance with Salt. And that’s mostly because Salt just thinks humans are gross. We’ve only got four limbs. She’s like, that’s weird!”
While you can’t pursue a relationship with Salt, Exodus offers a range of other romance options. Importantly, the game doesn’t restrict these relationships based on gender. However, pursuing romance requires active engagement from the player; accidental romances won’t happen. Furthermore, romantic choices can create conflict between companions, reflecting the complexities of real-world relationships. “You’re not going to be able to keep everybody happy,” Karpyshyn explained. “You’re not going to be able to get everyone to go and change the way you want to. Just like real life, we want it to be messy and complicated.”
Intimacy: Explicit or Tasteful?
Given its M rating, some might expect Exodus’s sex scenes to be explicit. However, Karpyshyn described them as “very tastefully done.” King added, “We allow you to get physical, but they’re tastefully done.”
“Across the industry there’s different bars that are set, and I would say we’re somewhere in the appropriate middle,” Karpyshyn said. This places Exodus somewhere between games like Baldur’s Gate 3, which features nudity in its sex scenes, and titles like Cyberpunk 2077, which holds nothing back. The Mass Effect series, on the other hand, is known for its brief and non-explicit romantic encounters.
King clarified that Exodus leans towards the more reserved approach. “I think we’re a bit closer to the reserved side, but certainly it’s clear what’s happening, but tasteful is a good way to describe it,” he explained.
Who Can You Romance?
While you can’t romance Salt the Octopus or Houston, the Awakened wolf who serves as Jun’s adopted brother, Exodus features several other compelling characters. These include Elise Charroux, a “blunt, no-nonsense ‘Sleeper’ from 23rd-century Earth,” Kara Voss, a pilot and mechanic known for her “precision flying and confident attitude,” and Suliman, the “wealthy, reclusive, and dangerous” operative.
Exodus is scheduled to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on April 7, 2027. Get ready to explore a universe of possibilities, just be prepared for some tough choices along the way!
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