Exodus will let players form romantic relationships with several members of its crew, but one popular companion is firmly excluded: Salt, the genetically enhanced octopus.
Archetype Entertainment’s narrative director Drew Karpyshyn confirmed that Salt cannot be romanced. The character became a fan favourite after appearing prominently in the Exodus release-date trailer shown during Gamescom 2026’s Opening Night Live presentation.
Why Salt cannot be romanced
Salt is an Awakened, meaning a creature from Old Earth whose consciousness was expanded through genetic manipulation and technological development. Because she cannot remain out of water for extended periods, she travels through the Centauri Cluster inside a heavily modified mech suit.
That suit allows Salt to take part in the game’s combat and cause plenty of destruction, but it does not make her interested in humans. Karpyshyn explained that Salt finds humans unpleasant, partly because their four-legged bodies seem strangely under-equipped to her.
Salt is one of six combat companions in Exodus. While many of the others can become romantic partners, Salt is not one of the available options.
Exodus romance options explained
Karpyshyn said players will be able to romance “many” of their companions, although the developer has not confirmed exactly which characters qualify. The known members of the party include:
- Tom Vargas, an interstellar explorer known as a Traveler.
- Elise Charroux, a mercenary from the 23rd century who was preserved through cryogenic freezing.
- Phaedra Nath, a blind archaeologist who uses drones to perceive the world.
- Suliman, another Traveler, and an extremely wealthy one.
- Emrys, a Celestial: a post-human being whose evolution has carried it far beyond the human genome.
- Salt, the Awakened octopus who is available for combat but not romance.
The game is set 40,000 years in the future, giving its relationships a distinctly science-fiction setting. Romance options will not be restricted by the player character’s gender, according to Karpyshyn.
Choices affect relationships
Romance in Exodus will require deliberate effort rather than a single accidental conversation. The RPG includes a morality system that tracks the player between a blue Paladin rating, associated with generally kind actions, and a red Immortal rating, associated with harsher or more selfish behaviour.
Decisions made during important mission moments and ordinary conversations can raise or lower a companion’s affinity. Building that affinity is necessary before a relationship can begin, so players will need to pay attention to how their choices affect each member of the crew.
“You’re not gonna accidentally get into a romance,” Karpyshyn said. “Unless you’re trying.”
Players will not be able to keep every companion happy. Beginning a relationship with one character may permanently prevent other romances, while a companion who initially seems appealing could later reveal values or behaviour that changes the player’s opinion.
The intention, Karpyshyn said, is for these relationships to feel genuine and to create difficult decisions rather than simple rewards. That approach could make romance one of the game’s more consequential narrative systems.
Exodus release date and platforms
Exodus is scheduled to launch on 7 April 2027 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S. The game is Archetype Entertainment’s debut title.
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