Mass Effect, The Expanse, and Exodus – Why Choices Matter

Written By Ryan Hayden

Introduction

When I think about the future of sci-fi RPGs, three names stand out: Mass Effect, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, and Exodus. Each represents a different era of storytelling, but all share one thing in common: choices that matter. For me, Mass Effect is the foundation. It is the series I return to every year, not just for nostalgia, but to rediscover paths I missed and reconnect with characters who feel like family. That legacy of meaningful decision-making is why I am excited for Osiris Reborn and Exodus (UpThrust, 2025).

Mass Effect: The Benchmark of Choice

BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy set the gold standard for RPG storytelling. Decisions made in the first game carried through to Mass Effect 3, shaping the fate of entire civilizations (BioWare, 2012). Companions like Garrus Vakarian, Liara T’Soni, and Tali’Zorah were not just side characters; they became trusted allies whose arcs reflected the weight of your choices.

For me, Tali is the perfect example of how Mass Effect made relationships feel real. Across the trilogy, she grew from a young quarian on pilgrimage into a leader fighting for her people’s survival. My Shepard still “owes her a house”, a promise that symbolized a future beyond war. That small line stuck with me because it showed how deeply personal the journey could become.

The replay value lies not only in combat mechanics but in discovering new dialogue, alternate paths, and subtle consequences. For many players, including myself, replaying the trilogy annually is a ritual that reinforces the emotional depth of its storytelling.

Mass Effect 5: The Future of the Franchise

BioWare has confirmed that Mass Effect 5 is in active development. First teased in 2020 with a trailer featuring Liara T’Soni, the project entered pre-production in early 2025 following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Despite layoffs and EA’s $55 billion buyout, BioWare reassured fans during N7 Day 2025 that the studio remains “heads‑down and focused exclusively on Mass Effect” (Metro, 2025; The Movie Blog, 2025).

  • Development Status: Pre-production, with concept art and teasers released.

  • Story Hints: Liara T’Soni’s presence suggests ties to the original trilogy.

  • Platforms: Expected to launch on next-gen hardware only.

  • Studio Commitment: Executive producer Mike Gamble emphasized that BioWare is fully committed to continuing the saga, with new romances, features, and expansive worlds in development.

While release is still years away, the confirmation of Mass Effect 5 ensures that the franchise’s legacy of choice-driven storytelling will continue.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn – Sci‑Fi RPG Inspired by Mass Effect

Owlcat Games, known for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, is bringing The Expanse: Osiris Reborn to life. Announced in 2025, it is a third-person sci-fi action RPG set in The Expanse universe (Owlcat Games, 2025; Wikipedia, 2025).

  • Setting: You begin on Eros Station as a Pinkwater Security mercenary, caught in a system‑broad conspiracy.

  • Player Role: Create and customize your own captain, Earther, Martian, or Belter, and command a ship across the solar system.

  • Gameplay: Tactical third-person combat with cover mechanics, squad coordination, and zero-G encounters.

  • Companions: Recruit a crew with unique motives and personalities, each shaping the narrative.

  • Choices & Romance: Branching storylines and romance options, directly inspired by Mass Effect (Yin‑Poole, 2025).

This game feels like a natural extension of the grounded politics and moral ambiguity that made The Expanse novels and TV series so compelling.

Exodus: Carrying the Torch Forward

Archetype Entertainment, a studio led by ex-BioWare veterans, is developing Exodus. It promises to continue the tradition of choice-driven RPGs in a bold new sci-fi setting (Polygon, 2025).

  • Setting: Humanity flees Earth to the Centauri Cluster, but time dilation means different groups arrive millennia apart. Advanced factions, such as the Celestials, see late arrivals as primitive (Polygon, 2025).

  • Player Role: You play as Jun Aslan, a salvager turned “Traveler.” Travelers undertake near-light-speed missions, returning to worlds that have aged decades or centuries while they were away (PC Gamer, 2025).

  • Gameplay: Third-person action RPG with customizable protagonist, branching narratives, and morally ambiguous choices (Wccftech, 2025).

  • Companions: Includes humans and Awakened animals, like Salt, an intelligent octopus in a mech suit (PC Gamer, 2025).

  • Themes: Survival, morality, and the emotional cost of leaving loved ones behind. Inspired by Mass Effect and Interstellar (MobileSyrup, 2025).

With its focus on time-dilated consequences, Exodus could redefine how choices echo across an RPG storyline.

Conclusion

Mass Effect taught me that choices can shape entire universes. Mass Effect 5 ensures that legacy continues, with BioWare reaffirming its commitment to the saga. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn shows how those lessons are being applied to a new franchise, while Exodus demonstrates that the appetite for meaningful RPG storytelling remains strong.

Together, these works highlight the enduring legacy of choice in science fiction, inspiring excitement for future narratives where characters become family, promises like “owing Tali a house” carry emotional weight, and decisions define the journey.

References

 

Ryan Hayden
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