Exodus’ Greatest Weakness Means Mass Effect 5 Needs to Strike While the Iron is Hot

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I’m very excited about Exodus, the first game from Archetype Games, but it still needs to demonstrate its potential. It’s obviously heavily influenced by Mass Effect, which makes sense since Archetype Games was founded by people who used to work at BioWare. However, constantly comparing it to Mass Effect could actually hurt its chances. Regardless of how well Exodus does – whether it’s a huge success, a failure, or something in between – it will inevitably be compared to Mass Effect 5, highlighting what that series does well and where it could improve.

The Mass Effect series doesn’t reinvent the space opera genre with flashy surprises; it simply excels at the fundamentals. It explores complex themes and dives deep into the possibilities of galactic civilization, offering a thought-provoking and engaging experience. There’s anticipation that Exodus will deliver a similar impactful story, but the recent trailer at the Game Awards left some sci-fi fans feeling it might be a bit too familiar. While Exodus has a well-developed and intricate backstory, and it’s unfair to label it entirely generic, some elements feel underwhelming, particularly when compared to other ambitious sci-fi games.

Exodus’ Alien Design Looks a Little Bland

The aliens in Exodus are different from typical extraterrestrials. They aren’t creatures from other planets, but rather highly advanced humans from the distant future. These beings, known as Celestials, have evolved so far that they’ve lost most of their human qualities and have no connection to the Lidon Empire, the young human civilization that the story’s main character is a part of.

As a huge fan following the Exodus previews, it looks like the Celestials are mostly humanoid – meaning they have a similar shape to humans. We’ve only seen a few different types so far. The Crown Celestials, for example, are basically really tall, gray-skinned people. There have been glimpses of other alien races too, but we don’t know much about them yet. I remember seeing Jun Aslan fighting a blue, human-sized alien in the Game Awards trailer, and there was also a statue of one with a really cool, fin-like head. It’s all super intriguing!

It’s understandable that the alien creatures in Exodus look similar to humans, considering they’re descended from us. However, this choice might limit the game’s potential for truly unique alien designs, like the impressive Elcor or graceful Hanar from Mass Effect. More importantly than how aliens look is how they’re used in the story. So far, Exodus hasn’t shown any alien companions, and a recent trailer featuring only humans giving orders is a bit discouraging. The game seems to be keeping its aliens distant, and that could be a missed chance to create something special.

Comparisons May Not Be in Exodus’ Favor

Video games offer a special way to explore fictional creatures and races. Because games are interactive, players can learn about these groups through things like conversations, side missions, and in-game information. When done well, as seen in games like Mass Effect and No Man’s Sky, this creates a much more detailed and immersive experience than you’d get from a book, movie, or television show.

If the next Mass Effect 5 trailer reveals even a single compelling new alien species, it will immediately stand out favorably compared to the previous reveal, Exodus.

The new series, Exodus, is entering a world of popular science fiction known for its interesting alien civilizations, alongside franchises like…

  • Mass Effect
  • Halo
  • Half-Life 2
  • StarCraft
  • Warhammer 40,000
  • Prey
  • Outer Wilds

Many games feature memorable alien races, and they’re often celebrated for their distinctive looks, rich backstories, and how well they fit into the game. If the aliens in Exodus lack these qualities – if they aren’t visually interesting, don’t have compelling histories, or aren’t woven into the game’s story and gameplay – they might not measure up to expectations. The biggest challenge for Exodus isn’t necessarily competing with Mass Effect 5, which already benefits from having some of the most well-known alien races in the industry.

Why Alien Design and Lore Will Be Crucial for Exodus

What makes great science fiction sagas so compelling is their ability to explore a basic idea – like settling other planets, as in the case of Exodus – and really push it to its limits, raising thought-provoking questions about life, science, morality, society, and much more. When these stories lack a sense of mystery and awe, they don’t quite have the same impact. Sadly, the latest trailer for Exodus didn’t deliver that feeling. Instead, it presented a fairly standard action story set in space, complete with a hero destined for greatness and a team of unlikely companions.

In Defense of Exodus: Why I’m Still Excited for It

The Game Awards trailer for Exodus felt a little underwhelming. It highlighted the game’s action-packed moments – lots of explosions, grand scenes, and dramatic speeches – which felt like typical blockbuster tropes. This approach might not have been the best way to show off Exodus’ strongest point: its unique alien cultures and compelling story. These days, audiences are used to games with impressive graphics and music, so it takes more than that to really stand out and capture their interest.

I believe there’s much more to Exodus than what was presented in the theater. The game’s website features a literary series and short videos that delve into fascinating details – awakened animals, the Mara Yama, and the Elohim, for example. These ideas are really intriguing, and if the final game continues to build on them and offer similar surprises, Exodus has the potential to become a major player in the sci-fi genre. Only time will tell how it stacks up against other games in the field.

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2025-12-15 19:30