The upcoming Osiris Reborn takes the best of The Expanse universe and turns it into a third-person shooter RPG with deep choice trees. Players lead a diverse crew through conflicts in a hard-science setting, making big decisions that should affect the broader narrative.

The game’s developer, Owlcat Games, has faced criticism for its beta, but promises to use an internal system called Etudes to track player choices and their long-term effects. The challenge is avoiding the Mass Effect 3 mistake—limiting all those choices into three big options at the end.

According to design director Leonid Rastorguev, players should feel they've left a mark on the universe, even if the immediate impact isn't always clear. He stresses that some outcomes will unfold over years, hinting at a complex narrative tapestry rather than simple binary choices.

The Expanse series is known for its intricate world-building and morally grey characters. Will Osiris Reborn capture this complexity or fall into the familiar trap of grand choices leading to limited conclusions?