“The Expanse: A Telltale Series” is developed jointly by Telltale Games and Deck Nine, marking a thrilling return for fans of narrative adventure games after Telltale Games’ shut down in 2018 and revival in 2019. Following a similar episodic format as previous titles, this game introduces a refreshing change with shorter release intervals, instead of waiting one or two months for every episode, this time they’re just a couple weeks in-between. With five main episodes and a bonus one, this game has sparked an old flame inside me, as a longtime fan of Telltale games, I was very much excited to see what they have up their sleeve after such a long break. I must clarify though, that I did not get any advance episodes and only access to the first episode of the series. Since the game is technically not fully released, I will be refraining from adding a score to this review.
Set in the universe of “The Expanse” a TV series originally on the SyFy channel and then later picked back up on Amazon, the game centers around the character Camina Drummer, portrayed by the talented Cara Gee, reprising her role from the show. The events unfold as a prequel to the TV series, providing players with a glimpse into the life of Camina Drummer, the Executive Officer of the prestigious vessel, the Artemis. The gripping narrative takes off when you and your crew chance upon a mysterious wreck, hoping for valuable loot. As you progress, the story delves deeper into the personal lives of your shipmates, revealing hidden aspects of their characters and testing your trust in them. “The Expanse: A Telltale Series” masterfully draws players back into its immersive world. I have only watched a couple seasons of the TV series, while playing this game I couldn’t recall why I fell out of it, but it has certainly reignited my interest in this captivating universe. Once all the episodes of this game are released and I complete it, I may hop back in and start the show from the beginning. Back to this first episode though, aptly titled “Archer’s Paradox,” sets the stage for a captivating journey ahead.
In classic Telltale fashion, the game boasts cinematic excellence, with cutscenes driving the narrative, interspersed with opportunities for players to make tough decisions during dialogue sequences, and QuickTime events which will influence the story’s trajectory. The choices you make have lasting consequences, shaping your relationships with the characters. As the series hasn’t completely unfolded yet, my decisions remain a tantalizing mystery for now. The game provides in-game mission logs, offering you the chance to explore deeper into the lore and story. Although limited in scope, moments of exploration are thoughtfully woven into the gameplay, enriching the overall experience. I also want to point out, the trophy system in the game has evolved a bit. In the past, completing episodes would secure a platinum trophy for you, but now, missable trophies are possible and now you are required to collect items such as those mission logs in order to unlock every trophy.
Notably, Telltale Games appears to have invested in developing an upgraded, if not a brand-new game engine for their games, resulting in a remarkably seamless and smooth gaming experience. The time away has been good for this company, previous Telltale games always came with a certain level of jank to them, offering some very choppy and uneven performances. With this game, everything feels much more contemporary and seamless with what we would expect in this new generation of gaming we are in. Which is great because a lot of moments require you to float around in zero gravity, and if things stayed the same this could have been a very bad idea, luckily it’s actually very fun.
With the groundwork laid in this first episode, I am eagerly anticipating the unfolding of a promising and immersive storytelling journey. As subsequent episodes of “The Expanse: A Telltale Series” unfold, I am expecting a roller-coaster of emotions with the impact my decisions have shaped for the fate of the characters and relationships. While I won’t be scoring this single episode, I did have a great time with it. Telltale does what it does best, keeping me invested and leaving me wanting more.
Score: TBA
For more information, visit: https://www.telltale.com/the-expanse/
Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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