Developer Owlcat Games recently provided a detailed look at The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, an upcoming action role-playing game that blends cover-based shooting with deep narrative decision-making.
A hands-on preview at Gamescom 2026 featured 90 minutes of gameplay from the title, which is currently scheduled for launch in spring 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. Set concurrently with the events of the series' first three seasons—and the early novels Leviathan’s Wake and Caliban’s War—the campaign puts players in the shoes of a customizable main character accompanied by an identical twin named J and a diverse companion roster. Famous figures like James Holden make appearances, but the narrative focuses on a brand-new group operating alongside major historical events.
Mechanically, the game draws strong comparisons to classic cover shooters like the Mass Effect series. Combat relies on directing squad members to execute tactical abilities while managing third-person engagements. Small world-building details also align with the setting's lore; for instance, characters cannot jump, reflecting the use of magnetic boots inside space stations and low-gravity environments.
Despite its responsive action, the game places significant weight on non-lethal solutions and exploration. In the previewed mission, titled "Beetle in the Anthill," the party takes a job from the paramilitary group Pinkwater on Ganymede station to gather intel on Protogen. Progressing through the station requires multi-step puzzle-solving—such as scanning container serial numbers and acquiring hacking templates—allowing players to bypass guards without immediately resorting to gunfire. Owlcat estimates the full campaign will take roughly 30 hours to complete.
The demo concluded with an intense sequence inside Ganymede’s agricultural domes, where the squad flees a mutated Protomolecule Hybrid. During the escape, players must assign specific duties to party members, establishing meaningful narrative consequences for future chapters.
Arriving five years after the end of the television series, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn faces the challenge of engaging both dedicated fans and newcomers. However, its strong mechanical foundation and authentic environmental design position it as a promising adaptation of the franchise.
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