The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Is Off to a Great Start & CAN Become the Mass Effect Successor Everyone Wants (If It Fixes a Few Things)

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Ever since The Expanse: Osiris Reborn was announced, everyone’s been hoping it would be the next big sci-fi RPG like Mass Effect, and honestly, it’s tough not to make that comparison. The developers, Owlcat, actually used Mass Effect as a direct inspiration for the combat, and you can already see that in the trailers. But the cool thing is, today – April 22nd – some of us are getting to play it early through a closed beta. I’ve had a chance to check it out, and I’m telling you, this game is shaping up to be fantastic!

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn marks a change of pace for Owlcat, the studio behind the popular turn-based Pathfinder RPGs. This new game is a third-person shooter, which is different for them, but it still delivers the strong storytelling and interesting characters Owlcat is known for. While the closed beta only includes one short mission—easily completed in a little over an hour—it gives a good sense of what the full game will be like. I’m optimistic that fans of Mass Effect will find this to be the successor they’ve been hoping for.

Osiris Reborn Is an Action RPG With CRPG Roots, and That Could Be Its Greatest Strength

As a fan of Owlcat’s Pathfinder games, I immediately recognized the strong storytelling focus in the Osiris Reborn beta. I played the mission multiple times, experimenting with different characters and choices, and I was really impressed by how much impact those choices had. Your decisions – both in conversations and during key moments – can dramatically change how the mission unfolds. Even in this limited beta, some choices have significant consequences, and I don’t want to give anything away!

Even though the game now focuses on fast-paced action, the story remains central to the experience. Players aren’t just watching a story unfold – their choices in conversations actually change relationships with characters and the direction of the plot. The fully voiced dialogue makes the characters feel real and hints at a captivating story. Fans of The Expanse will find something new here, with an original story alongside familiar characters and locations.

The cutscenes weren’t perfectly polished, and I experienced a few performance issues like dropped frames and lag. However, that’s understandable for a beta version, particularly since my computer barely meets the game’s minimum requirements. If those technical issues are fixed, this game has the potential to deliver a truly memorable story and characters, putting it in the same league as sci-fi classics like Mass Effect.

If The Snags Get Ironed Out, Osiris Reborn Could Stand Alongside Mass Effect As One of the Best Sci-Fi RPGs

The beta test only includes the very beginning of the game, giving you a brief glimpse of the overall story. However, Owlcat has included plenty to demonstrate what the finished game will be like. You’ll see story cutscenes, have conversations with characters, explore the world, and engage in combat. I especially enjoyed exploring Pinkwater-4; it feels lively and full of people going about their everyday lives, which really makes the game world feel real. While you won’t be able to talk to everyone, the world doesn’t feel empty, and the characters you can interact with offer interesting side quests and background information – all fully voiced, too.

The combat is similar to what you’d find in Mass Effect, relying on shooting and taking cover. While the system has potential, it currently feels a bit unpolished. You really need to use cover to survive, but I noticed a slight delay between pressing the cover button and my character actually taking cover, which could be critical in a firefight. Overall movement felt a little sluggish during the beta, and I hope the developers address this before the final release.

Honestly, exploring and fighting in Osiris Reborn feels really good. There’s a lot of cool cover to use, and the environments are great for tactical play. Plus, commanding my squad in battle is awesome – telling them where to shoot to set off huge chain reactions and wipe out enemies is super satisfying!

The beta version lets you try out different parts of the game and two of its classes: the Gunner and the Hacker. You can also choose to play as either a female Belter or a male Earther. Each class starts with a unique set of weapons and tools, but during a single mission, the differences aren’t hugely noticeable. However, the beta includes a workbench where you can upgrade your gear and abilities, demonstrating how much you can customize your playstyle no matter which class you pick.

The Beta Test Makes a Strong Case for Baldur’s Gate 3 Level Replayability

I jumped into the beta and finished my first run in around 70 minutes, though I quickly learned cover is essential if you want to survive! Honestly, I ended up playing for much longer than needed for work, because I was actually having a blast. It’s amazing how much your choices matter and really change the story, so I immediately wanted to jump back in and see what would happen if I’d made different ones. It’s seriously addictive!

The beta mission showed a lot of promise – even a single hour could play out very differently based on the decisions I made. That makes me excited to see the unique stories players will share when the full game is released. I enjoyed how much my choices mattered during the beta, and I think this game could offer the same level of replayability as titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, assuming the full game continues to present meaningful and impactful decisions.

Even in its early beta, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn shows a lot of potential. It’s a bit unpolished right now, but the core gameplay feels strong. Whether you already love The Expanse or Owlcat’s other games, or if you’re just a fan of sci-fi and action RPGs, this is one to watch.

I’m so hyped for the The Expanse: Osiris Reborn closed beta! I’m definitely planning on checking it out, and I’d love to hear who else is going to be playing. Let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum – come join me!

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2026-04-22 17:12