Owlcat Games, the developer behind acclaimed titles like Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, has ventured into new territory with the announcement of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. This narrative-driven action RPG marks a significant departure from the studio's traditional isometric gameplay, embracing a third-person perspective that draws clear inspiration from BioWare's legendary Mass Effect trilogy.
Owlcat Games Portfolio
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
- Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy (announced)
- The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (flagship project)
A Bold New Direction for Owlcat Games
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn represents Owlcat's most ambitious project to date, built on Unreal Engine 5 and featuring over-the-shoulder third-person combat, cover-based gunplay, and squad management mechanics. Creative Director Alexander Mishulin expressed the team's long-held dream of creating a sci-fi action RPG of this scale, noting that The Expanse universe provides the perfect foundation for their vision of mature, character-driven storytelling where player choices carry real weight.
Mass Effect DNA Runs Deep
Game Design Producer Yuliya Chernenko openly acknowledged the Mass Effect trilogy's influence on the development team, describing it as absolutely an inspiration that left a lasting impression during their teenage years. The similarities are unmistakable: players create their own captain, choosing from Earther, Martian, or Belter backgrounds, command an advanced starship, and lead a diverse crew with their own backstories and motivations. Combat follows the familiar Mass Effect formula of bringing two companions into tactical third-person battles while others provide support from behind the scenes.
Authentic Expanse Universe Experience
Set during the deadly lockdown of Eros Station, players assume the role of a Pinkwater Security mercenary navigating the complex political landscape of the solar system. The game promises to feature familiar faces from the television series, with some original actors reprising their roles, though specific casting details remain under wraps. Players will explore iconic locations from the show and books, including Ganymede, Ceres, Mars, and Luna, while dealing with the corporate machinations of Osiris and their protomolecule experiments.
Technical Innovation and Gameplay Features
The announcement trailer showcases impressive visual fidelity and unique gameplay elements that capture The Expanse's hard science fiction aesthetic. Low-gravity combat sequences feature mag-locked boots and floating gunplay, while spaceship combat demonstrates the game's attention to realistic physics and movement. The zero-G maneuvering between ships and stations, complete with debris dodging mechanics, adds a distinctive flavor that sets it apart from its Mass Effect inspiration.
Key Game Features
- Third-person over-the-shoulder perspective
- Cover-based gunplay and tactical combat
- Squad management with two active companions
- Character creation (Earther, Martian, or Belter backgrounds)
- Companion romance options
- Low-gravity and zero-G combat mechanics
- Spaceship command and navigation
Romance and Character Development
Following in Mass Effect's footsteps, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will feature companion romance options alongside deep character development systems. The narrative emphasizes political tension and moral complexity, hallmarks of both The Expanse franchise and successful space opera RPGs. Players can expect meaningful relationships to develop with crew members who have their own agendas and voices in the unfolding story.
Platform Availability
- Steam
- Epic Games Store
- GOG
- Xbox Series X and S
- PlayStation 5
Release Plans and Platform Availability
While no specific release date has been announced, Owlcat Games confirmed that The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is coming soon to multiple platforms including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The company has designated this as their flagship project, assuring fans that a completely separate development team is handling the game to avoid impacting their other ongoing projects, including the recently announced Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and continued DLC support for Rogue Trader.