As someone constantly hunting for a great new sci-fi RPG-and still feeling the absence of Mass Effect-level experiences-the news that The Expanse is being adapted into a major video game instantly set my hype sensors off. Not only is this one of the smartest space operas on TV, but the devs behind Pathfinder are at the helm. That combination? It’s got me both excited and a little wary, for reasons I’ll get into below.
For fans of hard science fiction and the twisty politics of The Expanse, this could be a dream come true—or another failed adaptation. So, what really matters about this announcement, beyond the press-release sizzle?
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Publisher | [TBD] |
Release Date | [TBD] |
Genres | RPG, Sci-Fi, Narrative |
Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
If you missed it, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn was teased with an eye-catching trailer showing flamethrowers, spaceship boarding actions, and plenty of weapons tech. But the real substance is in the talent: the developers are the folks behind the Pathfinder RPG adaptations. Those games tend to have deeply branching plots, meaningful character creation, and crunchy combat mechanics—skills that transfer well to narrative-rich sci-fi, if they can adapt from fantasy to astropolitics.
Let’s face it: most TV-to-game projects underdeliver. But The Expanse is different—it’s a series built on realistic science, complex factions, and the kind of moral ambiguity that RPGs thrive on. The choice to play as a Pinkwater Security mercenary (not the main show’s cast) is a smart move, letting the game carve its own story while still playing in that juicy universe of Mars, Earth, and the asteroid Belt.
The option to pick your character’s origin—Earther, Martian, or Belter—and assemble your own crew immediately recalls the best parts of Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and modern Pathfinder games. But, as any RPG fan knows, writing and meaningful consequences will make or break this. Simply offering choices on paper isn’t enough—the game has to actually react to them in a way that feels dramatic and earned. That’s not easy, no matter how neat the branching flowcharts look in pre-release promo.
On the combat side, anti-gravity, zero-g navigation, and shipboarding skirmishes are a rad idea—but tough to pull off without feeling floaty or awkward. I can see the potential for tense, unpredictable tactical encounters, but until we see extended gameplay, it’s hard not to be a little skeptical. RPG devs can nail turn-based depth, but what about real-time physics, shooting, or space stunts?
If you’re a sci-fi or RPG fan, this is one to watch. The Expanse universe is a goldmine for complex, mature storytelling—exactly the kind of thing that’s been sorely lacking amid the current RPG glut of fantasy and post-apocalypse retreads. The “assemble-your-crew” concept, mixed with political tension and scientific realism, could scratch the itch that Mass Effect left behind.
But, fair warning: adaptation is tricky. It’s not enough to throw in a few references and call it a day. If Pathfinder’s strengths (choice-driven narrative, party dynamics) survive the jump to sci-fi, Osiris Reborn could be a real breakout. On the flip side, if the gunplay and zero-g combat don’t match the ambition, we’ll be left with another “what could have been.” Keep your expectations realistic—remember, even great universes falter in translation (hello, Game of Thrones games).
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a promising RPG from the Pathfinder devs adapting the cult sci-fi universe to PC and next-gen consoles. Expect meaningful choices, crew-building, and tense, anti-gravity combat—if the studio can combine their narrative expertise with responsive, slick space action. A must-watch for story-driven gamers, but keep cautious optimism until we see gameplay that proves these lofty ambitions land as advertised.
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