Owlcat Games surprised press this week with an extensive hands-on demo of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. The Russian developer gave journalists about 60 minutes with their upcoming action RPG set in James S.A. Corey’s beloved sci-fi universe.
The demo positions Osiris Reborn as what many are calling a “BioWare-style” RPG. Players will recruit companions, make dialogue choices that matter, and navigate branching storylines. The protagonist is described as “just a merc caught in the wrong place at the wrong time” who gets swept up in the major events of the series.
Set during the early timeline of The Expanse, the game reportedly kicks off around the Eros incident. This places players right at the heart of the protomolecule discovery that changes everything for humanity. The timing covers roughly the first two books or early seasons of the TV show.
Combat stays true to The Expanse‘s grounded approach to science fiction. There are no space wizards or energy shields here. Instead, players rely on firearms enhanced by practical gadgets and gear. The demo showed off deployable drones, ballistic shields, mobility thrusters, and shoulder-mounted weapons. These tools provide build variety while keeping things believably near-future.
Owlcat brings serious RPG credentials to the project. The studio made waves with Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous, two massive CRPGs known for deep systems and reactive storytelling. Their most recent release, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, proved they could handle grimdark sci-fi settings with style.
This marks the first major action RPG treatment of The Expanse IP. While Telltale delivered a narrative adventure featuring Camina Drummer last year, Osiris Reborn promises a fuller RPG experience with exploration, combat, and companion relationships. The extended demo suggests development is progressing smoothly.
Remember the Cant (and the gadgets)
The hands-on time impressed journalists with its depth. Having a playable hour-long demo this early indicates Owlcat is confident in their direction. The studio seems to understand what makes The Expanse special—political intrigue, realistic physics, and human drama against the backdrop of space colonization.
No release date or platforms were announced yet. But with substantial gameplay already shown, Osiris Reborn has jumped to the top of many sci-fi RPG wishlists. For fans waiting for the next Mass Effect-like experience, the wait might be shorter than expected.
