MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya checked out a gameplay demo of the new sci-fi RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn at gamescom. Like many others, she sees the inspiration from Mass Effect, but believes: The original, The Expanse itself, brings a very special highlight.
At gamescom, I got to see an exclusive gameplay demo of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. And yes: The comparison to Mass Effect is immediately obvious. But my real highlight was something that could not be more important in the universe of The Expanse – gravity.
For an hour, game design producer Yuliya Chernenko and director Leonid Rastorguev guided me through a mission. Cover shooter, dialogue choices, atmospheric space station – it all felt incredibly familiar. Visually and gameplay-wise, the comparison to Mass Effect was immediately apparent.
And yet: The original brings something that no other sci-fi RPG implements as consistently.
The story starts after the catastrophe
The story begins right after the Eros incident – an entire colony in the asteroid belt is infected by a mysterious alien substance and becomes a threat to the entire solar system. I play a pair of twins, where I can freely choose appearance, origin (Earth, Mars, Belt), and background. This sounds like classic RPG, but here it is politically charged: Where you come from determines your role in the universe.
At the space station, the first major hub, a colorful hustle and bustle reigns. Merchants, quests, conversations – everything an RPG heart desires. And: Even the station looks so high quality that it doesn’t need to hide behind AAA titles like Starfield.
I particularly remembered Belter Larry: twice the size of my protagonist because zero gravity changes bodies. In a game, this can finally be depicted the way it was meant in the series. He wants you to bring a nice photo of him to his mom – sweet.
By the way, Leonid explains to us here that the RPG is also full of skill checks, whether you want to open a door, hack something, or conduct conversations.
Shooter action and physics fun
Of course, it doesn’t stay peaceful.
Imagine you have the nastiest, most secret, and morally flexible company in the solar system. And this company doesn’t just have a security firm, but a private army of guys who are so professional and ruthless that it makes you choke on your laughter.
These are the proton mercenaries. And they are the ones attacking now.
I decide whether to put the weapon down or take the direct approach. Leonid explains that such decisions trigger chain reactions and have long-term consequences. In this scenario, for example, how much help you will have available later. Of course, I choose a shootout!
The shooter gameplay strongly resembles Mass Effect: Cover, firefights, destructible environments. But here, the physical detail comes into play: bullets leave traces in the walls, debris flies around – everything feels tangible and realistic.
Zero gravity as gameplay highlight
And then comes the moment that made my heart race: I leave the station, float out into space with my spacesuit, held only by the magnetic soles in my shoes. A black void, stars shining – and suddenly everything changes.
The battles are free and three-dimensional. I push off walls, float through rooms, while projectiles appear slower but more dangerous in the void. Precision and timing become a true challenge.
Additionally, the space station is rotating and continuously turns everything upside down. Great cinema.
This is exactly where The Expanse stands out: Gravity and zero gravity are not just nice details in the series’ universe, they determine politics, physiology, and culture. They dictate how people look and live, and are the main reason for the conflict among the peoples. The Belters, who grew up in space, are the best evidence of this – their bodies show at first glance how much gravity affects life. That Owlcat takes this core seriously in gameplay is the big promise of the game.
Scientifically accurate
Owlcat Studios understand that they must give gravity a special significance in the RPG. And that they take this into account in gameplay and combat makes me happy.
The Expanse is considered one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi series ever. It strictly adheres to physical laws, from the realistic generation of gravity to the biological consequences for humans in space.
While zero gravity occasionally appears as a theme or in certain scenarios in Mass Effect, it is not a central or consistently present gameplay element. Here, The Expanse must go a step further and integrate exactly this aspect repeatedly into story and gameplay.
Game design director Leonid promised that scientific accuracy and gravity will be important in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Of course, compromises are made for the player experience (yes, you hear sounds in space, albeit muffled through the helmet).
But the crucial point is: Gravity is not a gimmick, but a central gameplay element.
Early stage but a lot of potential
So far, the controls feel clunky, animations are stiff – typical of an early development stage. For Owlcat, it is also uncharted territory: After isometric RPGs like Pathfinder or Rogue Trader, they are taking their first steps into a narrative third-person action-RPG. For this, they have massively expanded their team – according to Leonid, over 250 people are now working on the project.
Conclusion
In the end, for me: Yes, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn strongly resembles Mass Effect – in gameplay, in look, and in decisions. But the truly special thing lies within the original itself. The significance of gravity and zero gravity, as Owlcat integrates them into battles and scenes, sets the game apart from others in the sci-fi RPG genre.
It is here that The Expanse shows that it is more than just an inspiration: It is the foundation for an RPG that combines scientific accuracy with engaging gameplay. If Owlcat can fulfill this promise, we can expect a sci-fi adventure that clearly distinguishes itself from genre giants like Mass Effect and Starfield – and that’s exactly why it already makes you eager for more.
My colleague Benedict checked out Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy by Owlcat a door away and things escalated a bit.
