As summer brought forth an array of gaming announcements, one revelation that piqued my interest was Owlcat’s announcement of a new RPG set in The Expanse universe. The initial trailer strongly hinted at influences from Mass Effect, a series celebrated for its narrative depth and character development.

Given this backdrop, Alexander Mishulin, the creative director of the project, addressed the comparisons during an interview with Polygon. He mentioned feeling ‘humbled’ by the alignment of their latest project with BioWare’s acclaimed series, considering Mass Effect to be a pivotal game for the Xbox 360 generation. He acknowledged, “Mass Effect has significantly impacted our approach to game development,” indicating the reverence the team holds for it.

However, Mishulin was quick to clarify that Osiris Reborn will not directly replicate the design of Mass Effect. He emphasized the game’s commitment to providing greater player agency through choices and consequences. “We’re making more choices and consequences,” he asserted. “We are ensuring that players feel a sense of agency within the narrative.”

Mishulin shared that players will have the chance to select their character’s planetary origin, affecting their interactions with others in the game world. For instance, opting for a character from Earth or Mars may lead to a less friendly reception from inhabitants of Ceres, while a Belter origin would offer more welcoming experiences and thus, additional side quests.

He also highlighted that the aim of Owlcat is to modernize the RPG experience, catering to players who now expect more intuitive user interfaces and streamlined gameplay mechanisms, indicating a fresh take on a well-loved genre. There remains a sense of nostalgia tied to the Mass Effect legacy, but with a unique Owlcat twist that aims to innovate within the space.