Squadron 42 Can Wait: The Expanse’s Upcoming RPG Might Be the Space Epic We’ve Been Waiting For
Get ready to plunge into the icy depths of space with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, the ambitious new RPG from Owlcat Games. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Mass Effect and the narrative richness of Baldur’s Gate 3, this interstellar journey promises to be as visceral as it is captivating.
For years, the universe of The Expanse has fascinated fans with its tense political intrigues and cosmic mysteries. Few dared to hope for a video game that could live up to that world. Now, Owlcat Games aims not only to fill that void but to push the boundaries of the space RPG genre even further. This is an ambitious project determined to make every decision feel like an emotional shockwave.
Image credit: Owlcat Games
A perilous interstellar adventure
Coming to PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn takes us back to a dark and turbulent time in The Expanse universe, set between the first two seasons of the series. You play as a Pinkwater Security mercenary sent to Eros Station on a mission that quickly spirals into a nightmare. Cut off from the rest of the system by a sudden lockdown, you’re unwillingly drawn into a galactic conspiracy with staggering implications. To survive, you’ll need to lead a diverse crew, make heart-wrenching choices, and take command of the most advanced ship in the solar system.
- Explore isolated stations crawling with biomechanical threats and dark secrets.
- Engage in tactical combat both in space and in zero gravity, requiring sharp reflexes and strategic thinking.
- Encounter memorable characters from the series, each capable of altering your fate.
The promise is clear: total immersion, where every fight can turn into a nightmare and every choice echoes across the entire solar system.
Claiming its inspirations
Since its announcement, Osiris Reborn has been endlessly compared to Mass Effect — and Owlcat Games fully embraces it. According to creative director Alexander Mishulin, many team members got into game development after being inspired by Mass Effect, a true icon of the sci-fi RPG genre. While Osiris Reborn borrows its cover system and tactical gameplay, it goes even further by introducing zero gravity as a core battlefield. Every fight becomes a deadly dance in a hostile and unpredictable environment.
However, Owlcat also wants to establish its own identity, emphasizing choices, consequences, and deeply open storytelling. This approach is heavily influenced by Baldur’s Gate 3, especially in terms of rich narrative arcs and complex relationships with companions. You’ll be forging deep bonds, facing intense moral dilemmas, and shaping the galaxy through your decisions.
Yes, @TheExpanseRPG was inspired by Mass Effect — along with Baldur’s Gate 3 and JRPGs. @OwlcatGames creative director Alexander Mishulin walked me through what’s waiting for players in a game where “space is a very dangerous and unwelcoming place to be” https://t.co/LpqNteEvYn
Just like in Baldur’s Gate 3, your choices will shape your journey. Major events in the universe — including actions by Captain James Holden and the Rocinante crew — will ripple throughout your adventure. You’ll cross paths with iconic characters, but ultimately, this is your story.
Mishulin promises that every player will feel the weight of their decisions, pursue their own ambitions, and explore the galaxy from a unique perspective. At the heart of this odyssey lie humanity’s fears, hopes, and betrayals.
A feverish anticipation
The official trailer only heightens the excitement, teasing a brutal yet irresistibly captivating universe. While the exact release date is still unknown, it’s currently listed as Coming Soon on Steam.
Unsurprisingly, The Expanse community is already buzzing with excitement. No RPG has ever captured the dark, political, and visceral spirit of the series quite like this, while also promising dynamic action and deep narrative choices. Fans have long dreamed of a space RPG that blends combat, moral dilemmas, exploration, and raw human drama — and it’s finally here. But Osiris Reborn won’t be alone among the stars: Squadron 42, set to release in 2026, is shaping up to be a serious contender. Only time will tell which game will capture the hearts (and controllers) of space explorers everywhere.
