Owlcat Announces Expanse RPG with Mass Effect Combat
▼ Summary
– Owlcat Games is developing a new hard sci-fi RPG, *The Expanse: Osiris Reborn*, based on James S. A. Corey’s novels and the Syfy TV series.
– Players take on the role of a Pinkwater Security mercenary, starting on Eros Station and later commanding an advanced starship to explore the solar system.
– The game features tactical third-person combat inspired by *Mass Effect*, with squad mechanics, cover systems, and crew romances.
– Players can customize their captain’s background (Earther, Martian, or Belter) and influence the story through leadership decisions and companion relationships.
– The game will release on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, developed by a separate Owlcat team with no overlap on other projects like *Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy*.
Owlcat Games, the studio behind acclaimed RPGs like Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader and Pathfinder: Kingmaker, is stepping into hard sci-fi territory with their latest project, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Based on the beloved James S. A. Corey novels and the hit Syfy TV series, this story-driven RPG promises a fresh narrative set in the same gritty, politically charged universe. Players take on the role of a mercenary from Pinkwater Security, starting their journey trapped on Eros Station, a location fans will recognize from the show, before eventually commanding a cutting-edge starship to navigate the solar system’s conflicts.
Drawing clear inspiration from BioWare’s Mass Effect series, Osiris Reborn features tactical third-person combat with cover mechanics and a squad of two companions. Relationships with crew members will play a significant role, including the possibility of romantic subplots, adding depth to the interpersonal dynamics. A newly released trailer offers a glimpse of the game’s atmosphere, blending intense action with the franchise’s signature tension.
Yuliya Chernenko, the game’s design producer, openly acknowledges Mass Effect’s influence, calling the original trilogy “iconic for the Xbox 360 generation.” While some might raise an eyebrow at the console-focused reference, the statement subtly sidesteps Mass Effect: Andromeda, hinting at Owlcat’s ambition to capture the essence of the classics rather than their missteps.
Beyond combat, Osiris Reborn emphasizes player choice and consequence, with a heavy focus on leadership and survival. Key features include:
- Customizable Protagonist: Choose to play as an Earther, Martian, or Belter, each with unique cultural perspectives that shape interactions and decisions.
- Crew Dynamics: Companions aren’t just fighters, they have personal histories, motivations, and shifting loyalties based on your leadership.
- Strategic Combat: Real-time battles with cover-based mechanics, squad coordination, and support roles for non-combat crew members.
- Exploration: Visit iconic locations like Ganymede, Ceres, and Mars, uncovering secrets and influencing political outcomes through skill checks and dialogue.
The game is set to launch on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, though an exact release date remains under wraps. Owlcat has clarified that a dedicated development team is handling Osiris Reborn, ensuring no overlap with their other projects, including the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy. Collaborating with Alcon Interactive Group, the publishers behind The Expanse: A Telltale Story, the studio aims to deliver an authentic experience true to the source material’s depth and intrigue.
For fans of sci-fi RPGs and The Expanse universe, Osiris Reborn could be the next big adventure among the stars, blending tactical action, rich storytelling, and the moral complexities of survival in a fractured solar system.
(Source: Rock Paper Shotgun)
