A new Mass Effect-like game called Exodus is coming in 2027, and it has just unveiled one of its most unusual companions yet. The unique sci-fi RPG from Archetype Entertainment takes players into a distant future where humanity has abandoned Earth and spread across the stars. Now, a new trailer has introduced Salt, a sentient octopus who can pilot a customized mech suit alongside the game's protagonist.

Fans have been waiting years for a new Mass Effect game, with the last mainline entry arriving in 2017 with Mass Effect: Andromeda. BioWare teased a fifth mainline game in 2020, but concrete details have remained scarce in the years since. While the future of the Mass Effect franchise remains uncertain, Exodus could provide something similar for players looking for another story-driven sci-fi adventure with companions, exploration, and a large universe to discover.

At Gamescom 2026, Archetype Entertainment showcased a new trailer for Exodus that offered a closer look at Salt and her role in the game. Salt is an Awakened, which is the game's term for animals that have gained sentience. Despite her intelligence, Salt still looks like a regular octopus and appears to live inside an aquarium tank when she is not accompanying Jun Aslan, the game's protagonist, in combat.

Salt is also far from a typical companion. She is a bounty hunter who repeatedly emphasizes that she is only interested in getting paid. When Jun attempts to learn more about her or strike up a conversation, Salt is quick to shut him down, establishing herself as a particularly blunt and business-minded member of the team.

Her unusual personality is not the only thing that makes Salt stand out. She can pilot a specialized mech suit equipped with several modifications designed around her octopus physiology. The mech features tentacle-like arms and an aquarium tank that allows Salt to remain submerged while operating it. She can also use ink to create smoke screens, while her combat abilities focus on long-range sniping and evasion.

The addition of Salt further highlights the unusual world that Archetype Entertainment is building with Exodus. Rather than simply presenting another conventional human-centered space adventure, the game features a universe where animals can become intelligent and participate in society alongside humanity.

Salt's inclusion also gives players another distinctive companion to interact with as Jun explores the game's expansive setting.Exodus was originally revealed during The Game Awards in 2023, where Archetype Entertainment confirmed that actor Matthew McConaughey would appear as C.C. Orlev, a mentor to Jun. The game is the first project from Archetype Entertainment, which was founded by several veterans of major BioWare titles.

Among the studio's developers are James Ohlen, who previously worked on Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the original Baldur's Gate. Ohlen has since stepped away from the studio after experiencing burnout.

The team also includes Chad Robertson, who worked on Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Drew Karpyshyn, a veteran writer and designer who worked extensively on the Mass Effect franchise. Director Chris King previously worked on Halo 4.

The universe of Exodus has also been expanded beyond the game itself, with acclaimed science-fiction author Peter F. Hamilton contributing to its broader setting. With a team made up of developers behind several celebrated RPG and science-fiction franchises, the game has already attracted considerable attention despite being Archetype Entertainment's debut release.

Whether Exodus can actually fill the gap left by the absence of a new Mass Effect game remains to be seen. However, players now have a clearer idea of when they can experience the ambitious sci-fi RPG for themselves. Exodus is scheduled to launch on April 7, 2027.