I find myself facing a crucial decision in front of an airlock door. On my side is Camina Drummer, while the person I’m observing is trapped on the other side. This individual is pleading for their life. As selfish, bigoted, and incompetent as they are, they claim to have valuable information and are desperate to make amends for their wrongdoing. I have to choose whether to let them back inside the ship and, in turn, lock them up in the brig with the hope that they won’t cause any trouble in the future, or to vent them into space and carry the burden of killing them for the sake of convenience disguised as justice. Ultimately, I choose to press the button and continue the story.

Every decision matters in The Expanse: A Telltale Series. Even the small choices have an impact. Whether it’s selecting what to say to my crew members or choosing one solution over another, every action is recorded and has the potential to shape the future. Although some of it may be illusory, with the “[CHARACTER] will remember this” notifications popping up without clear consequences, the level of detail is impressive. Each episode seamlessly progresses from one point to the next, even with these varying choices.

What makes The Expanse truly captivating is the uncertainty of which decisions truly matter. The game forces you to make choices in the heat of the moment with incomplete information. No matter what you choose, the story continues without allowing the opportunity to go back and change your decision for a better outcome. While there are occasional game over screens during quicktime events or movement challenges, the heart of the game lies in exploring your surroundings, gathering information, and building relationships with your crewmates as you work towards the main goals of each episode.

Camina Drummer’s Journey

In The Expanse: A Telltale Series, players assume the role of Camina Drummer, a tough scavenger crew member who has been exiled from her home. Drummer, portrayed by Cara Gee from The Expanse TV series, brings authenticity to the game as she reprises her role. The game’s story takes place before the events of the show, making Drummer the only familiar face in the cast. Gee’s exceptional voice work adds credibility to the game, especially for fans of the TV series.

Newcomers to The Expanse will also appreciate Gee’s presence, although it may take some time to fully grasp the rest of the story. The game swiftly throws players into a dire situation, similar to the show’s approach. While I was able to keep up with terms like “Belters,” “Inners,” and “the OPA” due to my knowledge of the show, the context also provides enough clues to understand the different factions Drummer worries about. However, a reference guide for basic terms could have helped newcomers fully comprehend the story from Drummer’s perspective.

An Immersive Gameplay Experience

When Drummer isn’t conversing with her crew, she explores wrecked or abandoned spaceships as a scavenger. The Artemis, the ship she resides in, is composed of scavengers who survive by salvage. Navigating through hallways with magnetboots or using thrusters on her spacesuit to move in a zero-gravity environment becomes a significant part of the gameplay. The controls are smooth, and there is a sense of satisfaction in exploring the intricate space, investigating various elements, and stumbling upon valuable loot. The game’s visuals strike a fine balance between cartoonish and realistic, successfully avoiding the uncanny valley, while also offering breathtaking vistas in between corridors.

The gameplay mechanics in The Expanse: A Telltale Series will be familiar to anyone who has played a Telltale game before. The dialogue choices and consequential decisions shape the narrative to a certain extent. These mechanics work seamlessly in this installment, thanks to the writing that takes inspiration from the source material. The game succeeds in establishing the immediate dangers Drummer faces and showcasing the practical challenges of space travel that the TV show is known for.

However, the other gameplay mechanics fall short of expectations. Combat is reduced to quicktime events, requiring players to click buttons based on visual cues within a time limit. These events are forgiving enough to pass through easily, with the occasional break from exploration being a welcome change. Yet, those seeking a deeper and more engaging combat experience will find it lacking. Additionally, a segment involving dodging drone lasers becomes more of a frustrating task than an enjoyable challenge. Without access to quicksaves or sufficient checkpoints, making a wrong move means restarting the entire segment. This repetition can become irritating.

This issue of gameplay mechanics lacking depth is not unique to The Expanse: A Telltale Series. Telltale often struggles to incorporate more than just simple walking and talking aspects into their games. While this installment doesn’t overcome that hurdle, the strong writing manages to compensate for it. The story takes some time to find its footing, but it becomes increasingly ambitious and eerier as the game progresses. By the end of the third episode, it becomes nearly impossible to resist the urge to continue playing and discover what lies ahead in the storyline.