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

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 900 reviews

story237 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Great story and character development, especially for fans of The Expanse TV show.
Excellent voice acting and visuals that capture the atmosphere of the series.
Engaging choices that impact the narrative, making players feel invested in the outcome.

The game is very short, averaging around 5-6 hours of gameplay, which may not justify the price.
Limited gameplay mechanics, with much of the experience feeling like a linear story rather than an interactive game.
Some choices feel inconsequential, and the pacing can be slow, leading to moments of boredom.

story
641 mentions
37 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "The Expanse: A Telltale Series" is generally well-received, particularly by fans of the original TV show, as it serves as a prequel focusing on the character Camina Drummer. While many praise the engaging narrative and character development, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, limited player choices, and a lack of depth in certain plot points. Overall, the game is seen as a solid addition to the franchise, offering a compelling story that may resonate more with those familiar with the source material.
- “An incredibly well-crafted story!”
- “As a fan of the Expanse series, this game provided a fascinating look into the world before season 1, with the rich storytelling that Telltale is known for.”
- “Great story, great characters, making poor choices can have heartbreaking consequences.”
- “No real character development or growth since the story takes place over what feels like a boring weekend.”
- “Underwhelming and boring gameplay and story, very short and inconsequential story as well.”
- “The story is not really entertaining and the places you go to are bland and lack variety.”
gameplay
148 mentions
18 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this Telltale title is largely consistent with the studio's traditional style, focusing on narrative-driven experiences with dialogue choices and quick-time events. While the introduction of zero-gravity mechanics adds a unique twist, many players find the overall gameplay to be simplistic, repetitive, and lacking depth, often feeling more like an interactive story than a game. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a secondary element to the narrative, with many reviewers suggesting that it may be best enjoyed at a discounted price due to its limited scope and short duration.
- “The gameplay is classic Telltale—easy to dive into and enjoy.”
- “The gameplay emphasizes player choices, with intense dialogue options and interactive sequences.”
- “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.”
- “Underwhelming and boring gameplay and story; very short and inconsequential story as well.”
- “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.”
- “Very few decisions to make; most of the gameplay is floating around in space picking up garbage.”
graphics
90 mentions
49 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals and art style compared to previous Telltale titles, particularly highlighting the stunning environments and character designs. However, some players noted inconsistencies in character design and quality, with certain models appearing less polished and reminiscent of older graphics. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered a step up, they still fall short of modern standards in some areas.
- “The graphics are the best yet for a Telltale game, and the story is interesting enough.”
- “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 major flaw, at least for me, was the character design. It felt like they were trying to go with a 'Wolf Among Us' kind of art style, but then halfway through decided to go a little more realistic, which meant that you were basically stuck with some characters with extraordinarily large heads while some felt a little more grounded and realistic.”
- “The voice acting is terrible, 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, and the graphics seem cheap.”
music
35 mentions
49 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the immersive experience, featuring tracks from the original series that evoke strong emotional responses from fans. The soundtrack, including the iconic theme song, complements the game's atmosphere beautifully, although some users noted issues with the stream-safe mode not fully muting copyrighted music. Overall, the combination of original compositions and familiar tunes contributes significantly to the game's storytelling and emotional depth.
- “There's one particular music track during the game that draws you further into the game's already brilliant ambiance.”
- “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 them are memorable, except your love interest, but that is only because the scene with the music player legit 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 and the soundtrack is present to try to carry this game.”
atmosphere
34 mentions
53 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its faithful capture of the essence of "The Expanse" series and books, immersing players in the vast, moody beauty of space. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail, sound design, and character development, which collectively enhance the storytelling experience. Even those unfamiliar with the source material find themselves quickly drawn into the game's compelling atmosphere, making it a standout feature.
- “I've never watched the show, but the atmosphere captured in this game has me interested enough to try watching it.”
- “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'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.”
- “I wasn't familiar with the source material, but this didn't matter; I got drawn into the story and atmosphere very quickly anyway.”
- “Overall, I really liked the look, the atmosphere, and the story behind.”
emotional
31 mentions
87 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its deep character development and impactful storytelling that elicits genuine feelings, while others criticize its brevity and lack of emotional investment. Many highlight moments that provoke tears and strong connections to characters, particularly in the bonus episode, but some find the overall narrative boring and lacking in emotional weight. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, capable of resonating deeply with players who engage with its characters and story.
- “Great story, great characters; making poor choices can have heartbreaking consequences.”
- “The bonus episode, 'Archangel', ended in a genuinely emotionally affecting manner and was generally the high point of the entire game for me.”
- “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, boring voice acting.”
optimization
23 mentions
61 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance and high framerates reported by many players. However, some users experienced minor dips in performance during specific cutscenes and noted that the game may not be well-optimized for PC controls. The visuals and voice acting are praised, contributing positively to the overall experience despite some gameplay mechanics feeling slow or clunky.
- “The engine is worlds better in presentation, performance, and functionality.”
- “Visuals, facial animation, voice acting, performance capture, camera movements, and awesome music are all great.”
- “The cast delivers powerful performances that bring the characters to life, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.”
- “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
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the branching choices and different outcomes that enhance replay value, others find it limited due to its short length and lack of options. Those who enjoy exploring various dialogue responses may find it rewarding, but not everyone will feel the same way about its replay potential.
- “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.”
grinding
14 mentions
21 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often detracting from the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the slow navigation and repetitive scavenging as particularly frustrating, leading to a sense of boredom and disorientation. While some appreciate the story, the excessive grinding and lack of engaging gameplay elements leave a negative impression for many players.
- “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.”
- “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.”
stability
12 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences with stability vary significantly; while some report a bug-free experience with good performance, others encounter notable glitches, particularly with zero-gravity mechanics and occasional crashes. A few players have also experienced issues with save progress, indicating that while the game can run smoothly, it is not without its technical flaws.
- “Looks great, runs great, sounds great.”
- “I did lose some save progress when playing, but overall found the experience to be bug-free.”
- “- zero g movement mechanics are buggy and not at all realistic”
- “On the tech side, there are bugs and glitches.”
- “It's a lot of fun, but I found the gameplay wonky and dealt with a few major crashes and glitches.”
character development
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its strong storytelling and immersive world, while others criticize the lack of meaningful growth due to rapid pacing and poor character design. Many feel that critical decisions are overshadowed by a lack of depth, leading to a disconnection from the characters, while others note that certain relationships are abruptly cut short, leaving little room for emotional investment. Overall, the game's character development is seen as inconsistent, with some elements shining through amidst broader flaws.
- “Great atmosphere and character development.”
- “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.”
- “No real character development or growth since the story takes place over what feels like a boring weekend.”
- “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?”
- “Why hint at a love story and then kill one of the lovers the very chapter after their relationship is starting to flesh out? It feels like 66% have one of them die, and I'm pretty sure the other 34% didn't even hunt for character development.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of excitement, wit, and absurdity, enhancing the overall experience with well-written dialogue and comedic moments. Players appreciate the balance of humor with action and character development, while some find the game's flaws amusingly entertaining. Additionally, the portrayal of characters and social themes adds a layer of humor that resonates with players, despite some criticisms regarding its focus on empowerment.
- “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.”
- “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.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is criticized for being limited and perceived as a lazy cash grab, suggesting a lack of effort in providing value to players.
- “It's very limited in scope, and I'd go so far as to even call it a lazy cash grab.”