The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Developer “Humbled” by Mass Effect Comparisons

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As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but draw parallels between “The Expanse: Osiris Reborn” and the epic space opera of “Mass Effect”. The resemblances are undeniable, from its cover-based shooter gameplay to the presence of companions, a strong emphasis on player choices, and even the intriguing twist of twin characters. Owlcat Games, the masterminds behind this upcoming title, isn’t shying away from these comparisons. In fact, Creative Director Alexander Mishulin openly shared with Polygon that they are genuinely “humbled” by the similarities.

Initially, we are deeply honored by the comparisons being drawn. For us, Mass Effect serves as a profound inspiration since it’s a legendary title for the Xbox 360 era, and many members of our team at Owlcat grew up playing it. Its influence on us is immense. Many individuals enter the gaming industry inspired by games like Mass Effect, aspiring to create something similar or simply make games as their profession. Given this, it’s undeniable that Mass Effect has significantly impacted us as developers.

Just as The Expanse sets itself apart from typical science fiction series, Osiris Reborn distinguishes itself from BioWare’s greatest hits. It’s an Owlcat Games production, and it varies significantly from Mass Effect in numerous aspects. For starters, we craft our narrative uniquely, with a focus on offering more choices and consequences. Our aim is to ensure that this game maintains a high level of player agency.

The most significant change is that there are no clear-cut Paragon or Renegade options. Instead, your character will face more complex choices, and the planet of origin will influence how others react to them, as well as the types of side quests available.

Regardless of whether you choose a character from Mars or Earth, you may not receive a warm welcome on Ceres due to past events. However, if your character is from Belter origin, you’ll likely be more accepted and offered additional adventures, locations to visit, and possibly exclusive side quests. Conversely, characters of other origins will still have their own unique opportunities and places to explore.

Essentially, Owlcat is not aiming for a complete overhaul of the Mass Effect series, but rather creating a game that belongs to the same genre while incorporating all the latest features and advancements.

Mass Effect is an older game, and the gaming industry has changed quite a bit since then. New systems have emerged, players are now used to more streamlined user interfaces and innovative gameplay mechanics. We’re not updating Mass Effect per se, but creating a new game in the same genre that incorporates all the modern features. It’s also drawing inspiration from the character development style seen in Persona 5.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

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2025-07-13 19:41