Owlcat's 'The Expanse' RPG: More Than Just a Mass Effect Clone? Blasphemy, I Say!
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Owlcat Games acknowledges the Mass Effect comparisons for their upcoming The Expanse RPG, but promises a deeper and more impactful approach to player choice and consequences. Sounds promising, but I'll believe it when I see it – with my own two, perfectly skeptical eyes!
Right, so Owlcat Games, the mad lads behind *Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous* and *Rogue Trader*, are taking on *The Expanse* with their upcoming RPG, *Osiris Reborn*. And guess what? They're totally cool with the *Mass Effect* comparisons. In fact, they're even name-dropping Bioware's space opera as an inspiration. But hold your horses, folks. Before you start picturing Commander Shepard battling Belters, there's a twist.
According to a recent interview with Polygon, Owlcat's creative director, Alexander Mishulin, is flattered by the comparisons but insists that *Osiris Reborn* is doing its own thing when it comes to choice, consequence, and storytelling. Mishulin diplomatically (or perhaps not so diplomatically) suggests that *Mass Effect's* morality system might be a tad… simple. He reckons they're aiming for something with a bit more bite, drawing on their CRPG experience. Now, I’m not gonna lie, deciding whether to unleash the Genophage *did* feel pretty heavy at the time, but I'm always up for more player agency.
Mishulin dishes out an example: Your character's origin (Martian, Earthling, or Belter) will dramatically affect how you're treated on Ceres. Play as a Belter, and you'll apparently get more opportunities, side quests, and general shenanigans. Makes sense, right? It's all about that sweet, sweet role-playing depth.
But let's be clear: Owlcat isn't trying to "modernize" *Mass Effect*. They're just making a game in the same genre but with all the modern bells and whistles. Which, fair enough. Honestly, I reckon this could be a fascinating take on *The Expanse* universe, especially if they nail the political intrigue and gritty realism. They've proven they can handle complex systems and branching narratives. The real question is, will they bring the same level of depth and player choice to the world of space trucking and corporate warfare? I reckon it's worth keeping an eye on. After all, who doesn't love a good space opera with a healthy dose of consequence? And if it means even more branching narratives and character choices than *Mass Effect*, fair dinkum!
Tags: RPG, The Expanse, Mass Effect, Owlcat Games, Sci-Fi
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun