The Expanse: A Telltale Series review

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Telltale Games brought The Expanse series, which completed its six seasons on Prime Video, to the gaming world. This five-episode story from Telltale Games feels like a return to basics. Not only does this mark the return of the developer’s signature episodic stories, it also marks the return of one of television’s standout sci-fi series.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series review

Based on the novels by James SA Corey, the series took place amidst interplanetary politics and conflict between the three major powers in the solar system.

Rather than continuing where the series ended, the game features a prequel revolving around one of the series’ supporting characters. The game is set in the days when Belter Camina Drummer (voiced excellently here by series actress Cara Gee) is the XO of the rescue ship Artemis.

Like most Telltale games, The Expanse unfolds largely through narrative cutscenes, interspersed with occasional puzzles and double-talk options that often have far-reaching consequences. Aside from the occasional quick time event to keep you feeling involved in the story, Telltale games often feel like they’re largely playing themselves.

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Tidy third-person exploration scenes keep you from feeling like a bystander, and what’s more, they not only let you use your mag-boots to walk on walls and ceilings, but also make the most of the game’s zero-gravity setting. All of this keeps things fresh and interesting even as you walk from point A to point B to trigger the next event.

The game’s puzzles are simple enough to keep you up at night, and the quick time windows are generous and rarely frustrating. This means that the real challenge comes from forcing you to make tough decisions under pressure. Risking a crew member’s life while salvaging a bunch of valuables? Will you defeat your two-faced captain or throw him in the brig?

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The Expanse: A Telltale Series gameplay

But as strange as it may seem for a video game, actual gameplay is secondary here. Narrative is what draws people to Telltale games, and The Expanse’s storytelling is as solid as you’d hope for from a game with that name. Even if this is your first foray into The Expanse series, you’ll warm up to Drummer.

Although it takes some time to get used to the unique Belter dialect, the richness of the environment accelerates the adaptation and the first episode does an admirable job. Directing the relationships in the game through simple dialogue choices may seem reductive, but it has a tangible share in the development and fate of the characters! It draws you in masterfully.

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For fans, the entire experience is a heady delight; not only does it provide a way back into that universe, but it also reveals it through the eyes of a beloved character who didn’t get nearly enough screen time throughout the series’ run. Allowing viewers to get to know Drummer better, Gee’s exemplary performance combines with the sharp, original writing to add a new dimension to the character and elevate the play into what could easily be a prequel miniseries.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series System requirements

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit Operating System (32-bit operating systems not supported)
  • Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965, 3.40 GHz / Intel Core i5-2300, 2.80 GHz
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Radeon HD 7790, 2 GB / GeForce GTX 750Ti, 2 GB
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 18 GB available space

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit Operating System
  • Processor: AMD FX-8350, 4.00 GHz / Intel Core i5-3470, 3.20 GHz
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Radeon RX 590, 8 GB / GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 20 GB available space