The Expanse: Osiris Reborn might have the chops to fill the Mass Effect-sized hole in your life

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For nearly ten years, fans have been waiting for a video game to fill the void left by Mass Effect, as few sci-fi RPGs have captured the same magic as BioWare’s popular space adventure. While The Expanse: Osiris Reborn isn’t simply a Mass Effect clone set in a new universe, it’s hard to avoid making some comparisons.

The game features action-packed combat where you control a character, deep relationships with companions – and even romance options – plus a spaceship for galactic travel. The developers at Owlcat have openly said Mass Effect influenced their work. But Osiris Reborn seems to have captured something even more crucial from BioWare’s games: genuine emotional impact. Let me tell you what I mean.

Many role-playing games have tried to capture the magic of Mass Effect, from quirky favorites like The Technomancer to huge hits like Baldur’s Gate 3. Mass Effect is clearly one of the most important RPG series ever made. What always stood out to me was how everything in its universe felt meaningful and alive. It’s the perfect example of a game world you just want to spend time in, discovering the customs of alien races or even what kind of food they enjoy. BioWare’s best games always felt real and lived-in, even with all their fantastical elements.

I’ve spent about three hours with the Osiris Reborn closed beta demo, trying out all the different choices and story paths it offers within its one-hour segment. While the combat could definitely be improved, I was left feeling really excited about the game. It sparked that familiar desire to thoroughly explore its world, and I especially appreciated how my character felt like a natural part of it, rather than the central focus.

If you haven’t heard of The Expanse, it’s an epic science fiction story originally written as a series of novels and then made into a highly-regarded TV show that aired for six seasons, first on Sci-Fi Channel and later on Amazon. Set 300 to 400 years in the future, the story takes place throughout our solar system, which is now divided into three main areas: Earth, Mars, and the Belt. The Expanse is known for its complex political landscape, focusing on the relationships and growing tensions between these three groups, especially after the discovery that humans aren’t the only life in the universe.

Okay, so I’m coming at Osiris Reborn as a big fan of The Expanse already, which definitely colors my view. But honestly, the game really nails what makes the series so great – it’s got that awesome blend of exciting, almost unbelievable moments, but still feels rooted in believable science. They really captured the vibe!

Okay, so in Osiris Reborn, I’m playing as a mercenary working for Pinkwater Security – basically, we take on all sorts of jobs. I’ve got a twin sibling who’s also in the business, and the demo starts right after a messy situation. We were on the space station Eros and things went south with a rival mercenary group called Protogen. Let’s just say a misunderstanding led to me…borrowing their ship, and now I’m back at a Pinkwater station dealing with the fallout.

The demo is divided into two parts: first, you can freely explore the station, listen to interesting conversations, and learn about the world. Then, you’ll face off against the Protogen, who aren’t pleased about your actions. It’s clear that choices matter a lot in Osirirs Reborn – the demo has multiple paths and even different endings, including one where everything is destroyed in a nuclear blast.

Given Owlcat’s experience with games like Warhammer 40K and Pathfinder, it’s not shocking that Osiris Reborn is good. What really stands out is how successfully the studio recreated the atmosphere and visual style of The Expanse, making the game world feel exciting and full of possibilities for discovery.

While exploring the station, I found some old logs detailing the everyday lives of the Pinkwater staff – things like complaints about the food and a story about an Earth-born employee who couldn’t bring his Belter fiancé to meet his family. I also spent ten minutes chatting with a shopkeeper about what people were saying about me and my twin.

Even this small part of the game creates a strong sense of location, and that extends to how it looks. Pinkwater Station’s technical design feels solid and practical, similar to the industrial style seen in the show The Expanse.

After a short introduction, the game mainly revolves around evading the Protogen enemies and sneaking through the space station to get back to your ship. Your choices will determine the route you take, the challenges you encounter, and the possibilities that open up.

The combat is generally solid, but it’s the area most in need of work during the beta. There are some promising concepts, but they aren’t quite polished yet. The controls feel a little imprecise and floaty, and the shooting is reminiscent of Gears of War. You can direct your teammates during fights, telling them who to target or what abilities to use. However, the most impressive part of the game is how you can interact with the environment.

The game lets you creatively destroy environments to defeat enemies. For example, you might shoot a pipe on the station to create a massive explosion, or have a teammate activate a ship turret to mow down enemies while you handle another group. These interactive elements aren’t just random additions; they’re cleverly built into the levels to make combat feel exciting and dynamic.

While the combat currently feels a little awkward, it actually suits the realistic style of The Expanse, particularly during zero-gravity fights. You don’t play as super-soldiers in streamlined armor – you’re maneuvering in bulky spacesuits. The sound design in these zero-g sections is excellent; sounds, including gunfire, are muffled as if heard through water, sometimes making it difficult to pinpoint enemy fire. This forces you to focus on what you see rather than what you hear.

What really gets me excited about Osiris Reborn is how it’s taking the core ideas of The Expanse and reimagining them for a video game – not just retelling the story, but truly capturing what makes the franchise special and turning it into a fun, playable experience.

Owlcat Games is definitely inspired by classic RPGs, but they’re also striving to create something unique, not just copy what’s already out there. As with any RPG, the story and how satisfying it feels to level up are the most important things. However, Osiris Reborn seems very promising, particularly for players who are eager for a particular style of science fiction roleplaying.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will launch in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (through Steam, Epic, and GOG). Players who have pre-ordered either the Miller’s Pack or the Collector’s Edition can access the closed beta right now.

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2026-04-22 17:29