If you’ve been missing Mass Effect lately and all that franchise’s sci-fi RPG fun, 2027 has you covered with Exodus and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
Both games got new trailers earlier this week, with Osiris Reborn presenting its first real look at gameplay. Developed by Owlcat Games and set during the show’s early seasons, the trailer establishes that players take on the role of a Pinkwater mercenary who runs their own crew and explores the solar system. The developer has previously said the game would take influence from Mass Effect, and that wasn’t a lie: the shooting, dialogue system, and set pieces should make you feel right at home if you have any experience with Shepard or Ryder’s adventures.
After Expanse‘s appearance at the Xbox showcase, Owlcat told Eurogamer it’s using genAI during development. Owlcat’s PR manager said the technology’s only being used “on a technical level,” from changing 2D images to 3D to prototyping and placeholder assets. As far as writing and voice acting are concerned, Owlcat “[doesn’t] use it to write or use AI voice actors. Everything that will be in the final version will 100 percent be human-made.”
Meanwhile, Archetype Entertainment used Friday to give another short tease of how Exodus plays. A fuller gameplay reveal is in the cards this summer, but the video below shows some good old shooting and squad-based combat, plus a Mass Effect-style weapon wheel players can pull up to pause the action and figure out their next move. Unlike Expanse, Exodus actually has some BioWare blood in its DNA—several Archetype developers were BioWare and Mass Effect alums, hence this new game having space exploration, branching choices, and a sprawling universe. It’s also got a grappling hook, which is pretty cool.
Both Exodus and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn are due for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2027, with Osiris aiming specifically for spring. Players who’ve pre-ordered Orisis’ $80 Miller’s Pack or $290 Collector’s Edition can try a closed beta across all systems on April 22.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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