The upcoming video game, "The Expanse: Osiris Reborn," set to launch in Spring 2027, is adopting the sci-fi series' core theme: the universe rarely reveals the true impact of your choices. Developer Owlcat Games, known for deep RPGs, is venturing into third-person shooter territory with this title, placing players in the captain's seat of a spaceship crew navigating the solar system.
Players will step into the role of a spaceship captain, leading a diverse crew through the hard-science universe of "The Expanse." The game promises player-driven narratives through dialogue options and branching cutscenes, a setup that inevitably draws comparisons to the "Mass Effect" series. This marks a significant shift for Owlcat Games, whose previous titles have been top-down RPGs.
The game's recent beta faced mixed reactions. While combat and visuals earned praise, the story and voice acting received criticism. Notably, the "Belter creole," a distinctive linguistic element from the series, was absent. Owlcat Games has acknowledged these points and is working on improvements, including recasting a voice actor, emphasizing that these are typical beta-phase issues.
Set around the same timeline as the first two books of "The Expanse" series, "Osiris Reborn" faces the challenge of integrating player choices within an established canon. Owlcat Games revealed details about its choice system, which allows players to customize their character's backstory and appearance, with skills evolving based on decisions rather than fixed classes. Crew interactions and mentorship also play a role in character development.
The game features three main factions—Earth, Mars, and the Belters—and players will need to manage relationships carefully, as maintaining good standing with all will be difficult. Owlcat Games stated that players will have "one chance to stay on everyone's good side."
Design director Leonid Rastorguev explained that their internal "Etudes" system tracks player decisions, from minor cosmetic changes to major plot alterations like character deaths or altered endings. While critics noted that the immediate impact of choices wasn't always clear in the beta, Owlcat assures that consequences will ripple through the game. Rastorguev emphasized the challenge of balancing player agency with the series' existing narrative, aiming for choices that feel meaningful without rewriting established events.
The developers are focused on ensuring players understand their choices have weight, even if the full extent of the consequences isn't immediately apparent. These effects might surface through dialogue, in-game news, or environmental changes. The team hopes to avoid the pitfall of "Mass Effect 3," where many player choices were condensed into a limited set of endings, promising multiple, distinct endings for "Osiris Reborn" that reflect the player's journey across the wider universe.
