The Expanse: A Telltale Series

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,777 reviews

story463 positive mentions

grinding19 negative mentions

The game captures the atmosphere of The Expanse TV series and features great voice acting from the original cast.
The zero-gravity exploration mechanics are engaging and add a unique gameplay element.
The story provides a compelling backstory for Camina Drummer, making it a must-play for fans of the series.

The game is very short, taking only about 5-6 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
Many choices feel inconsequential, with limited dialogue options that do not significantly impact the story.
The pacing can be slow, with long cutscenes and unskippable dialogue that may frustrate players.

story
1,248 mentions
37 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "The Expanse: A Telltale Series" is a mixed bag, with many reviewers noting its engaging narrative and character development, particularly for Camina Drummer, but also highlighting its brevity and linearity. While fans of the original series may appreciate the backstory and familiar universe, newcomers might find the lack of exposition and depth limiting. Overall, the game is seen as a decent addition to the franchise, though it suffers from pacing issues and a feeling of missed potential in terms of player choice and story impact.
- “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 signature narrative style shines offering new insights into drummer's backstory and the belter world, weaving a gripping tale of political intrigue, crew loyalty, and the ever-present struggle for survival in the harsh expanse of space.”
- “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 is not really entertaining and the places you go to are bland and lack variety.”
- “The story has potential but fizzles and doesn't say anything of much importance for the characters or the setting.”
gameplay
290 mentions
18 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Expanse: A Telltale Series" 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 find enjoyment, but those seeking depth and challenge will likely be disappointed.
- “The gameplay has improved immensely.”
- “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.”
- “Very little gameplay, basically a 'walking' simulator with some cutscenes and dialogues.”
- “But most damning, the gameplay is boring, mostly walking around empty ships looking for interactables to get voice lines from.”
- “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.”
graphics
179 mentions
49 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in "The Expanse: A Telltale Series" represent a significant improvement over previous Telltale titles, showcasing beautiful visuals and a moody atmosphere that enhances the game's storytelling. However, some users noted issues such as occasional graphical glitches, clunky animations, and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. While the art style and attention to detail are praised, the game still feels somewhat limited by its reliance on spaceship interiors and character design inconsistencies.
- “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 voice acting is terrible, 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.”
- “The character faces look like doll heads, the animation and graphics is jarringly low quality.”
music
68 mentions
50 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful soundtrack and immersive quality, effectively drawing players into the world of "The Expanse." Many reviewers highlight the use of original music and voice acting from the series, which enhances the storytelling experience. However, some users note issues with the stream safe mode, as certain copyrighted tracks still play during gameplay.
- “Beautiful music, everybody who enjoys the show shouldn't think twice about playing it!”
- “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 tracks are 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.”
atmosphere
67 mentions
52 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
4 % negative 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 soundtrack. Players appreciate the moody ambiance and character interactions, which resonate well with fans of the source material, while newcomers also find themselves quickly drawn into the narrative. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, enhancing the storytelling experience significantly.
- “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.”
- “I could play a game for dozens of hours, just salvaging or adventuring in space with a small crew that banters and looks out for each other, if the universe and atmosphere is just right, and Telltale did a great job capturing the Expanse universe and making it feel right.”
- “The atmosphere is very well conveyed.”
- “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.”
- “Episode 1 of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is designed by and for the fans, but sci-fi aficionados will appreciate its worldbuilding and deep atmosphere.”
emotional
59 mentions
88 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
12 % negative 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. However, some players felt a lack of emotional investment due to a perceived boring story and limited choices, which diminished the overall impact. Despite these criticisms, the game is often described as an emotional rollercoaster, with standout moments that resonate deeply with players.
- “The bonus episode, 'Archangel', ended in a genuinely emotionally affecting manner, and was generally the high point of the entire game for me.”
- “As a gamer who has seen countless worlds, the emotional depth and drama in this title were like a siren's call.”
- “Each character is meticulously crafted, allowing for deep connections and emotional investments.”
- “Incredibly boring story.”
- “Pretty boring story and not many interesting choices to make.”
- “Boring story and dialogue.”
optimization
46 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with smooth framerates and minimal glitches, although some players experienced performance dips during cutscenes. While the visuals and voice acting are praised, there are concerns about the game's optimization for PC controls and some gameplay mechanics feeling slow or clunky. Despite these issues, the engine shows significant improvement in presentation and functionality compared to previous titles.
- “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.”
replayability
30 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the numerous branching choices that lead to significantly different outcomes, others feel that the overall options for replaying the game are limited. The game offers good replay value for those who enjoy exploring different dialogue responses and scenarios, but its short length and certain gameplay elements may not appeal to everyone. Overall, it seems that replayability is highly dependent on individual player preferences.
- “Given its numerous branching choices that change the story significantly, replay value is good.”
- “The replayability is high, as different choices lead to significantly different outcomes.”
- “Players looking for a replayable movie game will enjoy this and other Telltale titles.”
- “Replayability is limited.”
- “Sadly the game has little replay value.”
- “There's not much replayability in the main game either.”
grinding
27 mentions
11 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
70 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with players noting that it requires an excessive amount of time and effort, often feeling tedious and unengaging. Many reviews highlight the slow navigation and repetitive item searching, which detracts from the overall experience and makes progression feel laborious. Overall, players suggest that the game demands a significant investment of time for minimal reward, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- “Time for grinding will be required.”
- “You'll be grinding a lot.”
- “No long stretches of running around to get from A to B, no farming of XP.”
- “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.”
- “This series starts off really strong in the first act, but about 3/4 through there's a very long and tedious walking section that is so boring I almost never finished it.”
stability
24 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly with zero-gravity mechanics and animations. However, others found the experience largely bug-free, praising its performance and visual quality, though a few noted minor issues and occasional save loss. Overall, while some players encountered frustrating technical problems, others enjoyed a smooth gameplay experience.
- “Looks great, runs great, sounds great.”
- “I did lose some save progress when playing, but overall found the experience to be bug-free.”
- “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).”
- “It's a lot of fun, but I found the gameplay wonky and dealt with a few major crashes and glitches.”
- “On the tech side, there are bugs and glitches.”
character development
20 mentions
25 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its depth and the impact of player choices, while others criticize the pacing and lack of meaningful growth, leaving players disconnected from the characters. The visual design and voice acting are noted as high points, but inconsistencies in character design and narrative execution detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, while there are moments of strong character development, many players feel it falls short due to rushed storytelling and poor integration with the plot.
- “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.”
- “Great atmosphere and character development.”
- “Why hint at a love story and then kill one of the lovers the very chapter after their relationship is starting to flesh out to us? Like, 66% have one of them die, and I'm pretty sure the other 34% didn't even hunt for character development.”
- “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?”
- “No real character development or growth since the story takes place over what feels like a boring weekend.”
humor
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its clever dialogue and moments that blend absurdity with enjoyment, often highlighting the contrast between good and bad elements in a comedic way. Players appreciate the mix of humor with action and character dynamics, finding it both entertaining and sometimes surprisingly funny, even when the game's quality is questionable. Overall, the humor adds a significant layer to the gameplay experience, making it more engaging and enjoyable.
- “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.”
- “The story is exciting, funny, and scary... sometimes all at once!”
- “I think the game would have made a good movie; it had good pacing, action, humor, friendship, romance, a good score, and well-written characters.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is criticized for being overly simplistic and perceived as a lazy cash grab, indicating a lack of depth and effort in its implementation.
- “It's very limited in scope, and I'd go so far as to even call it a lazy cash grab.”