The Expanse: A Telltale Series

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 834 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Expanse: A Telltale Series Game Cover
The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 1 demonstrates some potentially interesting gameplay mechanisms and a very absorbing narrative.
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In "The Expanse: A Telltale Series," players step into the role of Camina Drummer, Executive Officer of the Artemis, navigating tense crew relationships and making tough decisions in the dangerous and uncharted Belt. Explore shipwrecks in zero-g environments, using mag boots and thrusters to traverse and survive. This immersive Telltale experience brings the thrilling universe of The Expanse to life like never before.

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Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 834 reviews
story220 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling cast of characters, particularly Camina Drummer, whose portrayal by Cara Gee is praised.
  • The visuals and atmosphere effectively capture the essence of The Expanse universe, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The story, while short, provides engaging moments and emotional depth, especially for fans of the TV series.
  • The gameplay is limited, often feeling like a walking simulator with minimal interaction and repetitive tasks.
  • Many players found the choices to be superficial, lacking significant impact on the story's outcome.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 5-7 hours, leading to concerns about its value for the price.
  • story594 mentions

    The story of "The Expanse: A Telltale Series" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its connection to the beloved universe of the show while also expressing disappointment over its brevity and linearity. While some found the narrative engaging and well-executed, particularly for fans of the series, others criticized it for lacking depth, meaningful choices, and significant branching paths. Overall, the game offers a decent prequel experience centered on Camina Drummer, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more expansive and impactful storyline.

    • “Great story and excellent execution.”
    • “The story is well written, even if it's not a convoluted or complex one, and graphics are captivating.”
    • “Telltale's storytelling prowess shines here.”
    • “At multiple points, I felt like connective scenes and clarifications were missing, and most major decisions don't branch out into significant story alternatives.”
    • “The story has potential but fizzles and doesn't say anything of much importance for the characters or the setting.”
    • “Ultimately, you follow a pre-determined storyline and make several choices that - presumably - will have consequences later.”
  • gameplay133 mentions

    The gameplay in this title has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its limited scope and repetitive mechanics typical of Telltale games. While the introduction of zero-gravity movement adds a unique element, the overall experience is often described as a "walking simulator" with minimal interaction and shallow quick-time events, leading to a lack of engagement. Players who prioritize narrative over gameplay may still find enjoyment, but those seeking depth and challenge are likely to be disappointed.

    • “The zero-g traversal mechanic, where you propel yourself through ships and stations with your trusty tether gun, adds a unique layer of dynamism to exploration.”
    • “This game represents a significant evolution in the Telltale/Deck Nine legacy, renowned for titles like 'The Walking Dead' and 'Life is Strange.' While these games have historically centered on compelling storytelling, this latest venture introduces an exhilarating gameplay dimension – zero-gravity exploration.”
    • “I initially anticipated that my enjoyment would stem solely from the narrative, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the gameplay equally captivating.”
    • “The gameplay is just boring, float around some random wreck and click a few points of interest and listen to someone drone on about nothing important.”
    • “However, the lack of real game mechanics or gameplay depth, even by Telltale's standards, holds this title back.”
    • “Very few decisions to make, most of the gameplay is floating around in space picking up garbage.”
  • graphics87 mentions

    The graphics in this game represent a significant improvement over previous Telltale titles, showcasing beautiful visuals and a moody atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. However, some users noted issues such as awkward animations, occasional glitches, and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. While the art style and attention to detail are praised, the graphics may not fully meet the expectations for a 2023 release, leaving some players feeling that they are not as refined as they could be.

    • “The graphics are off the chain, and I continuously forgot I was playing a game and not watching a side series or something like that.”
    • “Graphically, the game is a visual treat, capturing the gritty and futuristic aesthetics of the Expanse's world, now in the upgraded Unreal Engine.”
    • “The storyline is amazing, the graphics are breathtaking, and the audio is everything you'd hope for.”
    • “The classic Telltale jank is present, with stutters, awkward animations, and occasional graphical glitches (Rayen's hand being stuck in a fist with his index finger pointing was particularly jarring).”
    • “The graphics feel like they're from 2015, and the story just seemed boring.”
    • “Everything about this game is meh; the narrative is corny at best, the story just isn't thrilling which makes you not want to continue, the graphics seem cheap.”
  • music33 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its beautiful soundtrack and immersive voice acting, effectively drawing players into the world of "The Expanse." Fans of the series will appreciate the inclusion of original music and themes, which enhance the storytelling experience, although some issues with the stream-safe mode have been noted. Overall, the soundtrack is described as atmospheric and emotionally resonant, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Voices and soundtrack are taken from the series and help immensely to draw you in right from the start.”
    • “The soundtrack is atmospheric and perfectly complements the game's tone.”
    • “Of course, the gorgeous title sequence from the TV show is here too - Clinton Shorter's ethereal music blends perfectly with Lisbeth Scott's haunting voice.”
    • “While the game does offer a stream safe mode (mute licensed music in audio options), it doesn't work completely as the Expanse theme music (which is absolutely copyrighted) will still play on the choices review screen.”
    • “None of the music is memorable, except for your love interest, but that is only because the scene with the music player legitimately made me shed a tear or two.”
    • “I'll get the good bit out of the way first, it's The Expanse, and the game somewhat has an Expanse-y atmosphere at times, but the soundtrack is present to try to carry this game.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its faithful capture of the essence of "The Expanse" series and books, effectively conveying the vast, lonely beauty of space through detailed visuals and an immersive soundscape. Players appreciate the moody ambiance and the emotional resonance it evokes, making it a compelling experience even for those unfamiliar with the source material. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience.

    • “The game's atmosphere captures the vast, lonely beauty of space, and the narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “Absolutely nails the atmosphere of the TV series and books.”
    • “The atmosphere, the right 'science fiction-ness', the characters (as flawed as they can be), it just resonates with me so well.”
    • “I wasn't familiar with the source material, but this didn't matter; I got drawn into the story and atmosphere very quickly anyway.”
    • “I'll get the good bit out of the way first; it's the Expanse, and the game somewhat has an Expanse-y atmosphere at times, and the soundtrack is present to try to carry this game.”
    • “Overall, I really liked the look, the atmosphere, and the story behind.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to create deep connections with well-crafted characters, leading to genuine emotional responses, including tears and investment in their fates. However, some players felt disconnected due to a lack of engaging storylines or choices, resulting in a less impactful experience. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, capable of evoking strong feelings, particularly through its voice acting and character development.

    • “The bonus episode, 'Archangel', ended in a genuinely emotionally affecting manner, and was generally the high point of the entire game for me.”
    • “It's easy to develop emotional attachments to the characters, who are brilliantly voiced and impressively expressive.”
    • “The cast delivers powerful performances that bring the characters to life, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.”
    • “Incredibly boring story.”
    • “Pretty boring story and not many interesting choices to make.”
    • “Boring story, boring voice acting, and racist and sexist ideas; all left-wing BS.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally positive, with smooth framerates and minimal glitches reported. However, some users experienced occasional performance dips during cutscenes and noted that the game may not be well-optimized for PC controls. While the visuals and voice acting received praise, there were mixed feelings about the gameplay mechanics, which some found slow and clunky.

    • “Performance was fine aside from a few dips (in cutscenes when looking at ships) and the visuals were awesome.”
    • “The engine is worlds better in presentation, performance, and functionality.”
    • “Some of the actual gameplay is maybe a little slow and clunky, but everything worked, it runs smoothly, and it never glitched.”
    • “So I'm left to assume this was just not optimized well for those who don't have some knowledge of the franchise going in.”
    • “Performance is shit.”
    • “My biggest complaint is that it's not optimized for PC controls.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the branching choices and different outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the options limited and the experience too short to warrant repeated plays. Those who enjoy exploring various dialogue responses may find value in replaying, but the lack of substantial content for others diminishes its overall replay value.

    • “Given its numerous branching choices that change the story significantly, replay value is good.”
    • “The return of both voice actresses makes this game's replay value go up.”
    • “The replayability is high, as different choices lead to significantly different outcomes.”
    • “I felt a lack of options for replayability.”
    • “Replayability is limited.”
    • “Sadly, the game has little replay value.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. Many reviews highlight the slow navigation and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel more like a chore than engaging gameplay. Overall, the grinding elements contribute to a sense of frustration, particularly for those unfamiliar with the game's narrative context.

    • “Time for grinding will be required.”
    • “You'll be grinding a lot.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This game is short and tedious.”
    • “It's incredibly tedious to even navigate, as you move slowly (even when boosting), and by the time you get past a couple of objects, you're disoriented due to everything looking nearly identical.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting significant glitches, bugs, and crashes, particularly with movement mechanics and animations. However, others found the experience largely bug-free and enjoyable, noting good performance overall. While there are instances of jankiness, the severity and frequency of issues vary among users.

    • “Overall, I found the experience to be bug-free, despite losing some save progress during gameplay.”
    • “Looks great, runs great, sounds great.”
    • “The classic telltale jank is present, with stutters, awkward animations, and occasional graphical glitches (Rayen's hand being stuck in a fist with his index finger pointing was particularly jarring).”
    • “Zero-g movement mechanics are buggy and not at all realistic.”
    • “It's a lot of fun, but I found the gameplay wonky and dealt with a few major crashes and glitches.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some praise the strong storytelling and immersive world-building, others criticize the pacing and lack of depth, making it difficult to form emotional connections with the characters. The inclusion of certain characters and plot elements feels forced or underdeveloped, leading to disappointment despite some high-quality voice acting and design. Overall, the game struggles to balance character growth with its rapid narrative progression.

    • “The game's ability to immerse you in the politically charged world of The Expanse, coupled with its strong storytelling and character development, makes it a standout title in the Telltale lineup.”
    • “The visual character design and the voice acting are both top-notch; the decisions you have to make have far-reaching consequences.”
    • “Despite some criticisms, good character development and interesting details shine through in the game.”
    • “Why hint at a love story and then kill one of the lovers the very chapter after their relationship is starting to flesh out? Like, 66% have one of them die, and I'm pretty sure the other 34% didn't even hunt for character development.”
    • “The pacing is so lightning fast that you will not get any decent character development or care for them. Am I meant to care about this character who has been on screen for all of 5 minutes total?”
    • “Voice acting is a bit odd; character development was there but ultimately led to disappointment.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is a notable highlight, featuring witty dialogue and moments where the absurdity of the bad elements becomes comically entertaining. Players appreciate the blend of humor with character portrayals, particularly enjoying the comedic take on societal perceptions regarding gender representation. Overall, the humor adds a pleasurable layer to the gameplay experience.

    • “The game is simple, maybe a little short, but very pleasurable to play, with good dialogue and humor in places that added an additional layer of enjoyment.”
    • “Because the bad is usually so bad it's funny.”
    • “She's just as visceral as her show incarnation, and it's very funny.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is criticized for being overly simplistic and perceived as a lazy cash grab, indicating a lack of depth and engagement in its approach.

    • “It's very limited in scope, and I'd go so far as to even call it a lazy cash grab.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should.”
    • “I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and not worth the value they offer.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
5-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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