The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is an upcoming third-person action RPG set in the universe of The Expanse. Developed by Owlcat Games (known for the Pathfinder CRPGs and Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader), this title promises a Mass Effect-style experience transposed into the gritty, realistic sci-fi world of The Expanse. Players will create their own character – a Pinkwater Security mercenary – and navigate events around the infamous Eros Station incident. Below, we dive into all the latest details on release plans, platforms, gameplay, story, characters, and more – essentially everything we know so far about The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn release date (latest updates)
Owlcat Games announced The Expanse: Osiris Reborn on June 7, 2025, during the Future Games Show. Currently, there is no firm release date, with the developer stating only that the game is “Coming Soon.” This suggests it is deep in development, leading to speculation of a 2026 or later launch. Despite this, anticipation is high following a cinematic trailer that earned nominations for “Best Game Trailer” and “Most Wanted Game” at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards. Pre-orders for the $80 “Miller’s Pack” are available, providing beta access and indicating active community engagement.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
The game will launch on Windows PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No versions are planned for PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. Built on Unreal Engine 5—a shift from Owlcat’s previous use of Unity—the game aims to utilize current-gen hardware for advanced lighting, realistic effects, and large-scale environments.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn gameplay: third-person action RPG details
Osiris Reborn is a single-player, third-person action RPG inspired by Mass Effect. Moving away from isometric CRPGs, players control “the Captain” in a real-time, cover-based shooter with deep RPG elements. There are no fixed character classes; instead, players define their play style through customizable weapons, gadgets, and skills.
The game emphasizes a narrative-rich experience featuring exploration, branching missions, and moral choices that impact the story and world. Authentic space mechanics include zero-gravity movement and EVA segments. Developed with input from a former NASA astronaut, the game features realistic touches like mag-boots for stability and unique vacuum sound design, focusing on immersion without tedious micromanagement.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn combat and squad command system
Combat is a tactical, real-time experience where players lead two companions. A command system allows for issuing orders such as prioritizing targets or using special abilities to create combos. Gunplay utilizes various firearms and features partially destructible cover, requiring players to adapt as environments change. While close-quarters builds are possible, there is no dedicated melee or hand-to-hand combat system.
Crew members not in the active squad still contribute by performing parallel tasks or remote support, such as hacking or providing intel, inspired by the mechanics of Mass Effect 2. Their success depends on loyalty and assigned roles. Both the Captain and companions use special gadgets and abilities—like scanning through walls or environmental overloading—to gain advantages. The system is designed to be fast-paced while rewarding strategic teamwork and environmental interaction.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn story: what happens on Eros Station
The narrative of Osiris Reborn focuses on the Eros Station disaster, offering a new perspective on a pivotal event from The Expanse. You begin as a Pinkwater Security mercenary on routine shore leave when the station undergoes a lockdown and a protomolecule outbreak orchestrated by the Protogen corporation. As chaos erupts and security forces are overwhelmed, your initial goal of survival evolves into uncovering a solar system-wide conspiracy involving survival and loyalty. Following the prologue on Eros, you and a gathered crew take command of an advanced ship to pursue the truth behind the disaster and the factions vying for power.
The protomolecule is a central element of the plot, and players will encounter the aftermath of Protogen’s experiments and the alien pathogen. The game is set during the timeframe of the first two and a half seasons of the TV show (roughly 2350 CE), overlapping with the events of Leviathan Wakes and Caliban’s War. While the story runs parallel to known events, it is an original narrative rather than a retelling of the books or show.
Players will explore iconic locations including Eros, Ceres Station, Tycho Station, Mars, Luna, Ganymede, and Io. These habitats reflect the political tension and instability between Earth, Mars, and the Belt. While you do not play as the crew of the Rocinante, you will encounter familiar faces from the series, with some original cast members providing voice cameos. The game emphasizes moral gray areas and choices that could influence the balance of power in the system.
Who you play as in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (Pinkwater Security mercenary)
In Osiris Reborn, you play as a custom-created Pinkwater Security mercenary—a private military contractor—rather than an established character. Your character, referred to as “the Captain” or “the mercenary,” is stationed on Eros when the outbreak begins. Through the circumstances of the crisis, you inherit command of a top-of-the-line ship and a ragtag crew, transitioning from a security grunt into a reluctant leadership role.
The game adopts a grounded tone, presenting the protagonist as an ordinary person caught in a catastrophe rather than a superhero. You can choose your character’s origin as an Earther, Martian, or Belter, which adds a layer of cultural identity. Your background with Pinkwater Security influences how NPCs perceive you and may create narrative tension, especially if the company is revealed to be entangled in the central conspiracy.
As the story progresses, you must navigate your identity as a mercenary-turned-captain. This includes making decisions regarding your loyalty to Pinkwater versus the needs of your crew or the greater good. The premise emphasizes a professional soldier forced to step up in an extraordinary crisis, staying true to the grounded, “regular people” style of The Expanse universe.
Character creation and origins: Earther vs Martian vs Belter
Osiris Reborn features a character creation system that allows players to customize their captain’s appearance and background. At the start of the game, players design their mercenary by choosing gender, physical attributes, and one of three origin backgrounds, each representing a major human population in The Expanse universe:
- Earther – Born on Earth, these characters are often viewed as “inners” from a crowded, older world. They possess gravity-born strength but may be perceived as privileged by those from the Belt.
- Martian – Hailing from a militaristic colony society dedicated to terraforming, Martians often have backgrounds in the navy or marine corps and a duty-focused outlook.
- Belter – Raised in the Asteroid Belt or outer planets, Belters have a distinct culture and language. While they are often viewed as underdogs, choosing this origin may provide unique dialogue and cultural interactions with other Belter NPCs.
These origins impact the story and gameplay through flavor and social interactions, with NPCs reacting differently based on the player’s identity. While early reports suggested origin-specific abilities, Owlcat clarified there are no strict classes, suggesting a skill-tree or open progression system instead. The use of Unreal Engine 5 allows for high-quality character rendering, including realistic hair and facial features, enhancing immersion in the diverse world of The Expanse.
Companions, loyalty system, and player choices
Players will recruit an eclectic mix of companions with their own backstories, personalities, and combat specializations. These crew members are integrated into the narrative, featuring their own agendas and scars. Early examples include a companion named Jay, who is the protagonist’s brother.
The game features a core loyalty system where leadership decisions determine how crew members feel about the captain. High loyalty can unlock specific content or “loyalty missions,” while low loyalty may lead to companions becoming upset, refusing orders, or betraying the crew. This system is particularly relevant in high-stakes scenarios where companion survival depends on their loyalty and the roles they are assigned.
Beyond the crew, players face moral and political choices involving factions like the OPA, UN, and MCR. Decisions carry weight, potentially affecting the balance of power in the solar system or the fate of specific populations. These choices lead to multiple endings and branching outcomes. Companions also react to dialogue and decisions in real-time through banter and approval systems, and they remain involved in missions via radio communication even when not part of the active away team.
Romance in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (what’s confirmed)
Owlcat Games has confirmed that romance is a feature in Osiris Reborn, allowing players to pursue romantic relationships with certain companion characters. Drawing inspiration from BioWare-style RPGs, players can engage in flirting and dialogue choices that may lead to romantic subplots or dedicated scenes once sufficient loyalty or approval is achieved. While the specific romanceable characters have not been named, they will be original crew members rather than established figures like James Holden or Naomi Nagata. These relationships are designed to be grounded, mature, and authentic to the tone of the series. Romancing a companion adds narrative depth and replay value, though it remains an optional part of the experience.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn trailers, announcements, and where to follow updates
The game was officially revealed at the Summer 2025 Future Games Show with a cinematic trailer featuring the Eros Station crisis and the protomolecule. Since then, Owlcat has released several updates, including:
- A “Bringing Space to Life” developer diary featuring former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, which explains the realism behind EVA mechanics, magnetic boots, and physics.
- An environmental showcase at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards highlighting in-engine locations like Ceres and Ganymede.
To stay updated, fans can follow these official channels:
- The official website and Discord (which features a “Founder” program).
- Social media accounts on X (@TheExpanseRPG), Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit (r/TheExpanseRPG).
- Owlcat Games’ YouTube channel for trailers and dev diaries.
- Major gaming news outlets and the official Steam and Epic Games Store pages.
FAQ questions and answers
- When is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn coming out?
The release date is currently “Coming Soon,” with no specific date confirmed by Owlcat as of early 2026. - What platforms will Osiris Reborn be on?
It is coming to PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No last-gen or Switch versions are planned. - What genre of game is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn?
It is a third-person action RPG combining cover-based shooter mechanics and tactical squad commands with deep narrative choices and character development. - Is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn single-player or multiplayer?
The game is strictly single-player with no multiplayer or co-op modes. - Do you create your own character in the game?
Yes, players can fully customize their Captain’s appearance and choose between Earther, Martian, or Belter origins. - Are there companions in Osiris Reborn, and how does the loyalty system work?
Yes. You can recruit several companions and bring two on missions. A loyalty system tracks how your decisions affect their trust, potentially impacting their survival or the game’s ending. - Is there romance in the game?
Yes, romantic relationships with certain companions are confirmed. - Will any characters from The Expanse TV show or books appear in Osiris Reborn?
Yes, “familiar faces” from the franchise will appear, with some original actors reprising their roles for voice cameos. - When in the timeline does Osiris Reborn take place? Do I need to know the story beforehand?
It takes place during the events of the first two seasons/books (around 2350 CE). It is designed to be accessible to newcomers while offering depth for existing fans. - How long will the game be, and will there be open-world exploration?
The main story is roughly 20–30 hours, with significant side content. It features a non-linear structure where players travel between various solar system hubs rather than one continuous open world.iven the branching story and different character backgrounds – your second playthrough might reveal new scenes or outcomes, adding to the hours of entertainment.
Conclusion
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is an ambitious sci-fi RPG that combines the realistic physics, political intrigue, and lore of The Expanse with gameplay inspired by Mass Effect. Owlcat Games is focusing on authenticity, having consulted astronauts for accuracy, while delivering a choice-driven narrative. Players will experience a story as a Pinkwater mercenary entangled in a galactic conspiracy, making impactful decisions and bonding with a diverse crew.
Key features include a release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S for high-end performance, flexible character creation allowing players to choose Earther, Martian, or Belter origins, and tactical squad-based combat. The narrative begins on Eros Station and includes the potential for romance and appearances by familiar characters from the franchise. These elements aim to provide an experience that is both faithful to the source material and deep in RPG mechanics.
While mysteries remain regarding the specific release date, the full companion roster, and the endgame, the game is highly anticipated for its potential to offer interactive storytelling within a beloved IP. Early impressions suggest it could appeal to both hardcore gamers and fans of the series. Updates will continue to emerge as the project nears completion, but currently, the game promises a combination of deep narrative, meaningful choices, and engaging sci-fi gameplay.
Sources and citation
- Steam Store – The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3727390/The_Expanse_Osiris_Reborn/ - RPG Site – Owlcat announcement news (June 8, 2025)
https://www.rpgsite.net/news/17673-owlcat-games-announces-third-person-sci-fi-action-rpg-the-expanse-osiris-reborn-for-playstation-5-xbox-series-xs - Game Informer – “Owlcat Games Reveals The Expanse: Osiris Reborn”
https://gameinformer.com/future-games-show/2025/06/07/owlcat-games-reveals-the-expanse-osiris-reborn - Gizmodo – “The Expanse Does a Mass Effect with Osiris Reborn”
https://gizmodo.com/the-expanse-does-a-mass-effect-with-new-game-osiris-reborn-2000612924 - GamingBolt – Interview with Owlcat (Sept 8, 2025)
https://gamingbolt.com/the-expanse-osiris-reborn-is-about-the-length-of-clair-obscur-expedition-33-says-owlcat-games - Wccftech – Gamescom 2025 Q&A with developers
https://wccftech.com/the-expanse-osiris-reborn-gamescom-qa-mass-effect-suicide-mission/ - The Expanse Wiki (Fandom) – Pinkwater Security
https://expanse.fandom.com/wiki/Pinkwater_Security - Reddit AMA/Dev comments – Official r/TheExpanseRPG (classless “play styles”)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheExpanseRPG/comments/1qi1wpq/in_the_expanse_osiris_reborn_there_are_no/ - Superhive (Blender Market) – PixelHair 3D Hair Assets by Yelzkizi
https://superhivemarket.com/creators/yelzkizi - ArtStation – Yelzkizi’s The View Keeper (Blender addon)
https://yelzkizi.artstation.com/projects/XJOKny - Wccftech – Dev Diary “Bringing Space to Life” Article
https://wccftech.com/the-expanse-osiris-reborn-dev-diary-owlcat-games-nasa-astronaut/ - IGN – Preview by Wesley Yin-Poole (June 7, 2025)
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-expanse-osiris-reborn-from-the-developer-of-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-looks-a-lot-like-a-new-mass-effect-and-yes-there-is-romance
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