My Experience with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Beta Confirms Owlcat’s Promising Direction

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Enters Closed Beta Testing

Owlcat continues its unique approach to game development with the launch of the Closed Beta (CBT) for its upcoming single-player roleplaying game, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Beginning today, players who purchased either the Miller’s Pack for €79.99 or the Collector’s Edition for €289 can gain early access to the beta by visiting the official website. This Closed Beta is accessible on multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S and X.

A Glimpse into the Gameplay

The Closed Beta offers a snippet of the game that was showcased at Gamescom 2025. It kicks off right after the initial events where players control the protagonist and their twin, J, immediately following the catastrophic Eros incident. Their escape involves boarding a Protogen ship and returning to Pinkwater, a private security company employing both characters.

Character Options and Exploration

In the Closed Beta, players can assume the role of either a pre-made female character from the Belt or a male character from Earth, each with specialized skills in officer or hacking abilities. Players can choose to explore the Pinkwater station, engaging with NPCs, or head directly to the station chief to report on the fallout from Eros.

Two characters in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn attempting to move a large crate with a prompt showing Athletics and Success on the screen.

As an RPG, exploring the environment reveals a variety of activities, including fixing doors, uncovering gossip about fellow Pinkwater members, and accepting side quests—though these quests remain incomplete in the beta phase. Players must apply skill points in abilities like Engineering, Persuasion, or Athletics to succeed in various tasks. The game employs a strict system, demanding minimum skill levels for specific actions.

Cinematic Choices and Consequences

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn draws clear inspiration from Mass Effect in its dialogue system, allowing players to make choices that theoretically affect outcomes. A pivotal moment occurs when the station is invaded by a Protogen strike team, prompting players to decide between rallying support or feigning compliance to facilitate their escape. Each choice carries weight, with the former resulting in a battle while the latter necessitates stealth.

A dialogue scene in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn featuring the character Oscar O'Connell discussing responsibilities on a space station.

In terms of impact, there’s minimal variation in combat difficulty or outcomes, leading to a consistent gameplay experience regardless of the choices made. The aftermath of these decisions plays out differently, but the lack of clarity on future consequences leaves much to be explored in the final game.

Visuals and Combat Mechanics

Owlcat’s commitment to storytelling shines through in the quality of the dialogues, enhanced by full voice acting and detailed facial animations—a first for the developer. Graphically, the game, powered by Unreal Engine 5, offers visually appealing environments, although it may not yet reach the pinnacle seen in other titles using the same engine. Positive signs are evident in performance, especially given the support for NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS.

A soldier in tactical gear takes cover behind a barrier while aiming at an enemy in a sci-fi environment, with the interface showing 'Calm Waters' and a weapon selection menu.

Gameplay focuses on third-person shooting mechanics, where players can engage in tactical combat akin to Mass Effect. Players utilize cover strategies and can issue commands to companions, even those not actively part of the group. However, the cover system requires further refinement to improve responsiveness and precision. Despite some combat mechanics needing polish, they’re promising with a year remaining until the game’s official launch.

A spaceship is flying near a glowing star with a planet visible below in a space-themed video game environment.

Future Prospects and Personal Insights

The Closed Beta has made a robust first impression, showcasing Owlcat’s ambition with a third-person RPG that stays true to the lore of The Expanse. Detailed character design, including the portrayal of Belters—who have adapted to low gravity over generations—adds rich authenticity to the narrative.

As an avid enthusiast of Mass Effect, Owlcat’s titles, and the expansive universe of The Expanse, the anticipation for the full release in Spring 2027 is palpable. This blend represents a compelling alignment of story, mechanics, and fan engagement. For now, players will have to navigate the Closed Beta awaiting more thrilling developments.

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