Hands-On with 'The Expanse: Osiris Reborn' – A Hard Sci-Fi Successor to Mass Effect with Stunning Zero-G Gameplay

April 28, 2026 - 00:17

We’ve already played a substantial chunk of Owlcat Games’ take on The Expanse, and it looks like the hard sci-fi Mass Effect successor we were hoping for. Titled The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, this upcoming title plunges players into the gritty, politically charged universe of the beloved series, but with a gameplay twist that steals the show: zero-G sections that feel both authentic and exhilarating.

During our hands-on session, the first thing that struck us was the meticulous attention to physics. Unlike many space operas that treat zero gravity as a simple floating mechanic, Osiris Reborn forces you to manage momentum, conserve fuel for your suit thrusters, and navigate debris fields with calculated precision. One early mission required us to cross a shattered freighter’s hull while avoiding a cascade of metal shards—a tense sequence that felt more like a survival thriller than a typical shooter.

The narrative, true to the source material, focuses on political intrigue and the fragile alliances between Earth, Mars, and the Belt. Our character, a Belter with a mysterious past, navigates a web of corporate sabotage and colonial tensions. Dialogue choices carry weight, and the game’s moral gray areas recall the best of Mass Effect’s Commander Shepard, but without the flashy biotics or laser swords. Instead, combat relies on realistic railguns, PDCs, and clever use of cover in three dimensions.

The zero-G sections are the undeniable highlight. In one memorable sequence, we drifted through a derelict station’s core, using magnetic boots to anchor ourselves while solving a pressure-lock puzzle. A sudden decompression event sent us tumbling—requiring quick thruster corrections to avoid being sucked into the void. It’s a level of immersion that hard sci-fi fans have craved since Dead Space and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

While the game is still in development, the build we played suggests Owlcat Games is delivering on its promise. With deep role-playing mechanics, a faithful adaptation of the Expanse lore, and zero-G gameplay that redefines spatial combat, Osiris Reborn is shaping up to be the hard sci-fi epic we’ve been waiting for.