The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Preview
A preview of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, a third-person shooter RPG from Owlcat Games, reveals a story set alongside the early series events and combat
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a third-person shooter RPG from Owlcat Games set for release in spring 2027 on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. Based on a Gamescom 2026 preview, the game runs for roughly 30 hours and features a brand-new story concurrent with the first three seasons of the TV show.
You cannot jump in the game, a detail a Polygon reporter speculates may be due to the variable gravity settings common in the series' lore, though a developer producer would not confirm this. The combat has been frequently compared to the first three Mass Effect games, a comparison the preview confirms as accurate, describing it as punchy, responsive, and requiring tactical planning.
A New Story in Familiar Territory
The game's story runs alongside events from the early Expanse timeline, including the destruction of Eros Station. You create a custom character, joined by an identical twin named J and other party members, experiencing major events from a new perspective. While characters like James Holden appear, the story focuses on your crew's contract work for the paramilitary group Pinkwater.
One preview mission, "Beetle in the Anthill," takes place on Ganymede station and involves gathering information on the rival organization Protogen. The mission demonstrated a significant focus on non-violent, immersive sim-style problem-solving before combat begins. For instance, accessing a storage container required obtaining permission, finding an invoice template, and scanning a serial number from a vantage point.
Faithful Adaptation and Environmental Storytelling
The game's environments, like the Ganymede dockyards, are recreated with impressive detail. A key location is one of the agricultural domes, a major site from the TV show's second season. The dome is rendered grandly but without overt, ham-fisted references, serving as a sly nod for fans and simply a cool building for newcomers.
The preview session concluded with a chase sequence involving a Protomolecule-created Hybrid monster, leading to a choice where the player must assign crew members to different tasks, suggesting consequences similar to those in Mass Effect. The demo ended just before a boss fight in the agricultural dome.
The Challenge of a Licensed Game
The preview notes the inherent challenge for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn as a licensed game releasing five years after the TV series ended. It argues that while the game is deeply interwoven with the source material's set design, narrative, and armor, its success will depend on maintaining a careful balance. If it does, it could appeal to both longtime fans and new players, much like acclaimed book adaptations such as The Witcher and Metro series.
