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 1,108 reviews

story290 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Captures the atmosphere and tone of The Expanse TV series well, making it enjoyable for fans.
Great voice acting, particularly from Cara Gee as Camina Drummer, adds depth to the characters.
Zero-gravity exploration mechanics provide a unique gameplay experience.

The game is very short, taking around 5-7 hours to complete, which may not justify the price.
Limited choices that often feel inconsequential, reducing the impact of player decisions.
Some technical issues, such as unskippable cutscenes and a lack of manual save options, detract from the overall experience.

story
787 mentions
37 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "The Expanse: A Telltale Series" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its connection to the beloved TV series and its focus on character-driven narratives, particularly that of Camina Drummer. While some found the storytelling engaging and true to the show's tone, others criticized it for being predictable, shallow, and lacking significant player impact on the plot. Overall, fans of the series are likely to enjoy the immersive atmosphere and character interactions, but newcomers may find the story less compelling without prior knowledge of the Expanse universe.
- “The story is the highlight of the game, staying true to the tone and spirit of the Expanse TV series.”
- “If you're a fan of gripping storytelling and the rich universe of the Expanse, then The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a must-play experience.”
- “Telltale's storytelling prowess shines here, weaving a gripping tale of political intrigue, crew loyalty, and the ever-present struggle for survival in the harsh expanse of space.”
- “The story starts off extremely slowly, and chapter 2 is a big open 3D area full of empty, dark spaces where you just wander aimlessly looking for objects.”
- “The story is very short; you'll basically spend most of your time roaming around with valuables that didn't make sense or were not used in the story.”
- “The story is not really entertaining and the places you go to are bland and lack variety.”
gameplay
187 mentions
19 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this title is largely consistent with Telltale's established formula, featuring simple mechanics such as dialogue choices and quick-time events, with the addition of unique zero-gravity exploration elements that enhance the experience. While some players appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, many criticize the gameplay for being repetitive, lacking depth, and feeling more like an interactive story than a traditional game. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable for fans of narrative-driven experiences, but may disappoint those seeking more complex mechanics or action-oriented gameplay.
- “The zero-gravity mechanics were a cool feature that added some novelty without overcomplicating the experience.”
- “The gameplay emphasizes player choices, with intense dialogue options and interactive sequences.”
- “The gameplay has improved immensely.”
- “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.”
- “But most damning, the gameplay is boring, mostly walking around empty ships looking for interactables to get voice lines from.”
- “Gameplay loop is quite repetitive.”
graphics
121 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and improved art style that effectively capture the gritty, futuristic aesthetic of "The Expanse." While some players noted that the graphics are a significant step up from previous Telltale titles, others felt they lacked polish and appeared outdated for a 2023 release. Overall, the visuals are generally considered impressive, though opinions vary on character design and animation quality.
- “The visuals are nothing short of spectacular.”
- “The graphics are the best yet for a Telltale game & 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.”
- “Graphics were meh and didn't seem like a game that released in 2023.”
- “I always thought graphics weren't important and lashed out at people who did not like old games because of the graphics, but god damn this hurts to look at.”
- “The character faces look like doll heads, the animation and graphics are jarringly low quality.”
atmosphere
48 mentions
48 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its strong alignment with the tone and feel of "The Expanse" series, featuring excellent voice acting, a haunting soundtrack, and immersive visuals that capture the vastness of space. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the emotional resonance of the environment, which enhances the storytelling experience, even for those unfamiliar with the source material. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, effectively drawing players into its narrative and setting.
- “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 soundtrack is atmospheric and perfectly complements the game's tone.”
- “The idea, graphics, and atmosphere are good, but the plot is boring and very short.”
- “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.”
music
46 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and immerse players in the experience, with many praising the soundtrack for being consistent with the original series. The voice acting is also highlighted as a strong point, contributing to the overall engagement of the story. While some players noted minor issues, such as a persistent drone noise in the background, the majority found the music to be beautiful and evocative, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The music, voice acting, and atmosphere are amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is atmospheric and perfectly complements the game's tone.”
- “Beautiful music; everybody who enjoys the show shouldn't think twice about playing it!”
- “One thing I did not enjoy too much was the music in the game that always seems to have a drone noise in the background.”
- “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.”
emotional
37 mentions
86 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its ability to create deep connections with well-written characters and impactful choices that can lead to genuinely heartbreaking moments. However, some reviewers felt that the game's brevity and lack of engaging storylines diminished its overall emotional impact. While certain scenes elicited strong emotional responses, others found the narrative lacking, resulting in a varied emotional experience among players.
- “The decisions you make are impactful, and if you put in the time and attention, there are a lot of emotional and wholesome moments to experience.”
- “Great story, great characters; making poor choices can have heartbreaking consequences.”
- “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.”
- “There are too few influencing options, a boring story, and even more boring characters.”
optimization
30 mentions
53 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly with good framerates and minimal glitches, some users noted issues with camera control and PC optimization. The graphics are considered acceptable but dated, resembling older titles, and while voice acting performances are generally strong, there are instances of lifeless delivery. Despite these drawbacks, the game maintains an engaging story and solid character performances, particularly from lead actors.
- “Performance-wise, it runs well; I couldn't get past 120fps.”
- “The engine is worlds better in presentation, performance, and functionality.”
- “The cast delivers powerful performances that bring the characters to life, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.”
- “Graphics are okay, but console-optimized plasticine (looking more like 2010).”
- “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.”
- “My biggest complaint is that it's not optimized for PC controls.”
replayability
22 mentions
23 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers numerous branching choices and different outcomes that can entice players to revisit, many reviewers note a lack of meaningful choices and limited gameplay variety. Some players appreciate the ability to explore alternate paths and dialogue, but others find the overall replay value lacking compared to similar titles. Overall, it seems that replayability may appeal to those who enjoy narrative exploration, but it may not satisfy everyone.
- “The game has replay value for those who like exploring different dialog responses and have different outcomes in various situations and scenarios.”
- “In the end, your choices determine the outcome, and apparently there are many different paths to take, so replayability is ensured.”
- “The replayability is high, as different choices lead to significantly different outcomes.”
- “It lacks meaningful choices, exciting gameplay, and replayability.”
- “I felt a lack of options for replayability.”
- “Sadly, the game has little replay value.”
grinding
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and time-consuming, often detracting from the overall experience. Many feel that the excessive scavenging and slow navigation hinder story progression, making the gameplay feel unnecessarily prolonged and frustrating. While some appreciate the narrative, the repetitive nature of the grinding leaves a negative impression on the overall enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Time for grinding will be required.”
- “You'll be grinding a lot.”
- “The extra collectibles, meant to enrich the experience, often feel tedious and unnecessary, detracting from the main narrative.”
- “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.”
character development
14 mentions
36 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews praise the strong storytelling and immersive world-building that enhance character depth, others criticize the lack of meaningful growth due to the fast pacing and short duration of the narrative. The character designs are noted as visually appealing, but inconsistencies in style and the abrupt handling of relationships detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, while there are moments of potential, many players feel that the game falls short in delivering substantial character development.
- “The women all get much cooler character designs; they all have ranks and positions like pilot, engineer, or officer, and are all made out to be highly skilled, take-no-shit badasses.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
stability
14 mentions
14 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a generally smooth experience with minimal glitches and good performance, others have encountered significant bugs, particularly with zero-g mechanics and occasional crashes. A few users noted issues with save progress loss and camera glitches, suggesting that while the game is enjoyable, it may still require further refinement in its technical aspects.
- “Overall, I found the experience to be bug-free, despite losing some save progress during gameplay.”
- “Looks great, runs great, sounds great.”
- “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.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of clever dialogue and situational comedy, with standout moments that evoke laughter through unexpected wordplay and character interactions. Reviewers appreciate the mix of humor with other elements like action and romance, noting that the comedic aspects enhance the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. Additionally, some find humor in the game's commentary on social issues, adding a layer of irony to the experience.
- “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 humorous moments that added an additional layer of enjoyment.”
monetization
1 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.”