With The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, developer Owlcat is taking its first leap out of the isometric RPG genre it has mastered with games like Pathfinder: Kingmaker. The studio is moving into something far more inspired by the glory days of Mass Effect. Heading into a hands-on preview, my big question was whether the studio could truly pull off this massive genre shift.

The mission I played feels like a direct answer to that doubt. It provides an hour of third-person combat and visual spectacle, serving as the perfect test of whether Owlcat has the technical know-how for such a transition. Even without seeing much of the traditional RPG elements yet, I am feeling much more confident in what the studio is cooking.

Testing Mass Effect-style action in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

Taking place early in the game, the demo sees me trying to escape a space station besieged by hi-tech mercenaries. While I am missing some context regarding the explosive intro involving my customizable character and my twin companion, J, the stakes are clear. We have emerged from a conspiracy with a new ship and a friendly port, but now the enemy is intent on apprehending us.

The core combat is agreeably solid, even if it feels slightly lightweight at times. Much like the classic Mass Effect series, the gameplay is spiced up with various gadgets that add tactical nuance to your gunfights:

  • Shock tether: Stuns enemies in place to set up easy headshots.
  • Nano-insects: A swarm used to chase foes out of cover.
  • Wrist rocket: An essential tool for chunking through heavy armour.

While the shooting involves ducking behind barricades and using cover, you can also command your companion to draw fire. The game is technically a real-time-with-pause title, allowing you to survey the battlefield and issue orders, though it remains simple enough to play as a pure action game.

Cinematic spectacle meets tactical RPG depth

Every companion in the game possesses an Exploit, an ability that allows them to interact with the environment. In J's case, this is straightforward: hovering my reticle over anything explosive provides a prompt to blow it up. Using the right timing can be a godsend, sending grouped-up foes scrambling as fuel tanks erupt into flames.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn also pushes the boundaries of visual creativity during zero-G sequences. When moving onto the station's surface with mag boots, there is no real up or down. The "floor" might curve away or become a wall, paired with a disorientating soundscape where combat noises are muffled but comms chatter remains clear.

Despite the heavy action, Owlcat is keen to remind players that this is still a choice-driven RPG. Tactical decisions lead to branching paths, such as choosing a detour through damaged ship sections to avoid heavy weapons fire. Furthermore, character stats can influence exploration:

  • Using J's Athletics score to move heavy debris.
  • Navigating tight corridors beset by hazardous coolant leaks.

While these moments are subtle, they ensure you feel like you are embodying a character rather than just playing through a shooting gallery. I am hopeful for more exploration in the full release, but this mission successfully proves that Owlcat can do much more than just isometric combat.