The Expanse: A Telltale Series
I'm going to admit that I'm a huge fan of The Expanse. I've read the books and seen the show, so when I saw that Telltale was releasing a game based on the universe, I knew I had to play it. The Expanse: A Telltale Series captures the atmosphere and the themes of the sci-fi universe well, with stellar acting and a well-crafted story. But despite that, it still has some issues, and I wonder if the newly reborn Telltale Games just didn't quite know how to navigate The Expanse's rather complex universe.
The story of The Expanse: A Telltale Series begins with your crew aboard the Artemis exploring a wrecked ship. It quickly introduces characters you know from the show like Camina Drummer, as well as new faces like Cox, Virgil, Maya, Khan, Arlen, and Rayen.
If you've never watched The Expanse, I think you could still enjoy this game, though you may feel lost at times. If you're a fan, though, I'd recommend watching the show first, as the heavy references and unique language of the Belters can be overwhelming if you're new to the universe.
The game's atmosphere is very dark and grim. You'll be exploring the inside of a shipwreck filled with severed heads. You'll be sneaking around and hiding from the authorities. But it's also about a crew coming together, finding each other, and becoming a family. So there's something for everyone.
The story moves along at a fast pace, and I do sometimes wish I could spend more time with each character and really get to know them. The fast pace also hinders character development and can sometimes make it difficult to understand what's going on.
The gameplay is a mix between quick-time events and dialogue choices, with less time for reflection on your decisions than in previous Telltale games. There are also fewer available responses than I'd expect from the studio. However, there are some incredible set pieces and cinematic moments that really remind you of the battles from the show.
The episodic format also contributes to pacing problems. You'll be playing the whole thing in one go, so you won't have time to reflect on your decisions. You'll be moving onto the next episode before you can even think about it.
I did notice a few technical issues, too. I got stuck on objects a few times, and the mouse sometimes felt responsive and sometimes didn't, which was frustrating.
Overall, I think fans of The Expanse will enjoy the story, but may also find it frustrating. I'm curious to see where future episodes will go and will be playing them, but I do desire more from it. If you're looking for a Telltale game with a new story, I'd suggest checking out our list of the best Telltale games for some other options.
