Over the past eight years, Owlcat Games has earned a reputation as one of the best developers of modern isometric RPGs, with acclaimed titles like Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. While the studio has no plans to abandon this beloved genre, with a sequel to Rogue Trader already in development, it is embarking on a new venture with an upcoming release that steps outside its traditional comfort zone.
Following in BioWare’s footsteps, Owlcat is making the leap from isometric role-playing games to a third-person shooter RPG with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. The comparisons to the iconic Mass Effect series are, quite frankly, unavoidable. Much like that cherished franchise, Owlcat’s new title embraces dynamic, cinematic sci-fi adventures, a departure from the more classic sensibilities of its previous RPGs.
This represents an ambitious shift for the studio, and it will be fascinating to observe how successfully Owlcat navigates this transition. Nevertheless, in many respects, the core challenge remains familiar. When we reflect on Mass Effect, while the flashy combat, stunning graphics, and compelling cutscenes certainly come to mind, these elements do not solely define the series.
What consistently stands out first are the companions — the diverse cast of friends and allies who infuse the adventure with personality and charm. Cultivating a roster of characters with whom players can genuinely connect is a fundamental challenge for nearly every party-based RPG, regardless of whether it’s a nostalgic homage, a contemporary blockbuster, or anything in between.
It is with great pleasure, therefore, that we can reveal Owlcat has provided an exclusive preview of Osiris Reborn’s mercenary crew. These are the squadmates who will accompany you across the galaxy, and who, we hope, will lend memorable faces to the game’s unfolding narrative.
The game is set within the highly grounded, hard sci-fi universe of The Expanse, a choice that, in many ways, makes Owlcat’s task even more intricate. Without the convenience of magic, alien species, or fantastical gadgets to easily spice up your crew, the emphasis is placed entirely on crafting compelling, well-articulated personalities.
Based on the character bios we’ve received (condensed versions of which are hinted at throughout this article), there appears to be immense potential. Your crew will encompass a broad spectrum of individuals, ranging from a former military engineer to a disgraced doctor and a youthful idealist. Given the setting’s focus on distinct and richly detailed sci-fi cultures, the team naturally features representatives from across the solar system — including the affluent and powerful Earth, the militaristic and formidable Mars, and the fragmented, often oppressed Belt.
Players can anticipate that these companions will come with their own intricate backstories and dedicated sidequests, bringing them into the narrative spotlight with hints of grand ambitions and dark pasts that inevitably catch up to them.
A companion’s personality, however, should extend beyond mere conversations on the ship. With combat being a central pillar of the adventure, it’s crucial for your crew to express their individuality and unique skills during skirmishes. As one might expect, each member of Osiris Reborn’s party possesses a distinct combat role, whether it’s laying down suppressive fire, drawing enemy attention, deploying defensive utilities, or engaging targets from long range. Adding an extra layer of strategic depth is the innovative “Exploit” system.
Essentially, each companion is equipped with a special ability that grants you further control over the flow of battle. “Precision” allows them to identify and target vulnerable points within the environment — for instance, detonating an explosive object, triggering an acid rain effect from above, or causing a structural collapse onto enemy positions. “Demolition” is a less subtle approach, directly destroying elements of the terrain and proving particularly effective at eliminating enemy cover, thereby forcing opponents into vulnerable open spaces.
“Malfunction” causes electrical systems to spiral out of control with potentially lethal repercussions, while “Cyber-attack” grants full control over enemy systems, turning them against their original owners.
The ultimate impact of this environmental manipulation system remains to be seen, but it is undoubtedly a brilliant concept. It provides a particularly clever means of making party members feel distinct and powerful in a universe where psychic abilities and fantastical gadgets are not an option.
Of course, it’s challenging to gauge the true compelling nature of these companions solely from their biographies. The ultimate proof will lie in the quality of the writing and voice performances, as well as how confidently they evoke the specific atmosphere and style of The Expanse.
Nevertheless, as an initial glimpse into the team with whom we could potentially spend many hours, the outlook is promising. Engaging character designs, a well-rounded assortment of archetypes, and intriguing plot hooks have certainly piqued our interest, making us eager to get to know them better — and to watch them unleash destruction in combat.
While Osiris Reborn does not yet have a release date, you can add the game to your Steam wishlist to stay informed about its development.
