The Expanse: A Choice-Based Game by Telltale Games
The Expanse is Telltale Games’ first release under its new ownership, acting as an adaption of the bestselling book series. From the first moments, I’m already drawn to the story and Characters – the episodic choice-based formula that made Telltale famous, of course, is still present and correct.
The game acts as a prequel to the popular TV show, so you’re totally good to jump in even if you haven’t seen it – and indeed, you should, because it’s great. For those who have, the opening moments may leave you a little lost, but it’s not long before the necessary information is provided and you’re on your way.
Episode One: 'Fight or Flight'
The first episode, ‘Fight or Flight’, focuses on the relationship between the playable lead, a member of the Interplanetary Militia and her crewmates. Your choices throughout the episode directly impact how the characters feel about one another, and I’m already very interested to see how this continues and how it will shape the story.
Telltale’s gameplay is largely unchanged from previous games, with the episodic, choice-based formula that it’s famous for still very much in place. The developer has worked hard to refine this formula over the years though, and The Expanse feels very much like a more polished Telltale experience. The controls are snappier and there’s a greater level of detail in the environments – while nothing’s really new or experimental here, it’s a safe, and comforting, move from the previous owners.
The most noticeable difference in The Expanse is the increased freedom of movement that comes with zero gravity sections. It’s something we’ve seen a lot of recently, with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy featuring some similar segments and Artemis Moonfall being a zero gravity game entirely, but it’s still a new element for Telltale’s games. While this increased movement is initially really fun, and feels great, it can also cause some motion sickness, so be wary if you’re prone to that.
Ultimately, The Expanse feels like it could be the return to form that fans have been looking for. It’s not going to reinvent the wheel or create something brand new, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The fact that I already find myself attached to the fate of the crew members is a good sign, and Telltale plans to release new episodes more frequently than it has in the past, so the wait won’t be as long. Check back soon for our full review.
The Expanse episode one, ‘Fight or Flight’, is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. You can also play it on Google Stadia, but it’s not available via the Stadia Preview Program at the moment. The rest of the season will be coming later this year.
Make sure to check out The Expanse on Steam, if you haven’t already, to see what all the fuss is about. If you have, and you’re hungry for more, take a look at the best Expanse mods, or perhaps the best Expanse ships, there’s plenty to love.
