One of the most thrilling announcements at Summer Game Fest surely originated from the role-playing game specialists at Owlcat. Following grand CRPGs like Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader, the studio is delving into sci-fi role-playing games with contemporary 3D visuals and active shooter mechanics for the first time with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
We were fortunate to engage in a discussion with the studio’s creative director about this new and entirely different endeavor well ahead of time. That’s why we’ve shared even more insights about Osiris Reborn in a preview for you.
During the interview, we naturally addressed the source of inspiration for this new role-playing game. And how could it be otherwise: it was Mass Effect.
In the Footsteps of Bioware
Owlcat’s Pathfinder titles are frequently considered the genuine successors to Baldur’s Gate. After all, these role-playing games feel more akin to the first two entries in the series regarding mechanics and presentation than Baldur’s Gate 3. Owlcat was already treading in Bioware’s footsteps here, and with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, they are stepping boldly into the next generation.
Bioware also moved away from traditional role-playing games with Mass Effect and explored a slightly more action-driven system in a complex sci-fi world. Accordingly, Owlcat is directing its initial efforts towards this achievement. Creative Director Alexander Mishulin states:
“Many members of the team played Mass Effect during their academic years, and those moments inspired and influenced us.”
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the team will create a classic akin to Bioware’s work. However, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is still set to be a true role-playing game, despite its sleek graphics and action-filled confrontations, with the characters remaining central throughout.
No M35 Mako in The Expanse
Notably, Owlcat’s emulation of Mass Effect doesn’t imply that they are replicating it. Certainly, they are significantly drawing upon the well-established narrative of the beloved sci-fi series The Expanse when constructing the universe. This means that, unlike in Mass Effect, you won’t come across any extraterrestrial civilizations.
Furthermore, the team has consciously chosen not to replicate a contentious aspect from the original Mass Effect specifically. According to Alexander Mishulin, there will be no equivalent to the infamous Mako in The Expanse.
“There won’t be any vehicles in the game. Even though I enjoyed navigating the planets and exploring everything.”
In Mass Effect 1, players could traverse planets using a surface vehicle known as the Mako. It was enjoyable, but it certainly wasn’t one of the reasons why numerous fans became enamored with Mass Effect. In The Expanse, you’ll navigate the solar system, but you won’t have the ability to explore every nook and cranny entirely freely. You’ll have to determine your destination beforehand.
The post “Mass Effect inspired us” – The Expanse: Osiris Reborn has a clear role model, but deliberately avoids one feature appeared first on Global Esport News.