The Expanse: Unraveling the Epic Tale - Episode 1 Review

Telltale Games makes its highly anticipated return with The Expanse: A Telltale Series, their first original project under the new ownership of LCG Entertainment. Developed by Deck Nine Games, the renowned creators of the beloved Life is Strange franchise, The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 1, titled Archer's Paradox, captivates players from the start, immersing them in a richly crafted world with compelling characters. While incorporating the beloved elements from previous Telltale games, this latest venture stands out through its exceptional acting, storytelling, and core mechanics, showcasing Telltale's evolution and refining their tried-and-true formula. Coupled with a gripping narrative, The Expanse - Episode 1 is an absolute must-play for fans of both Telltale and James S.A. Corey’s acclaimed book and television series.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series casts players into the role of Camina Drummer, portrayed by the talented actress Cara Gee, in a narrative that unfolds long before the events of the television series. In Episode 1, Drummer assumes the role of XO aboard The Artemis, a scavenger vessel under the command of Captain Garrison Cox. The crew embarks on a mission to salvage the remains of a UNN (United Nations Navy) Earther ship, setting the stage for The Expanse: A Telltale Series to serve as both an entry point for newcomers to the universe and an enthralling origin story for loyal fans. As players unearth the episode's deeper enigmas and cultivate relationships with each crew member, The Expanse: A Telltale Series promises to reveal the formative experiences that shape Drummer into the beloved character audiences know today.

Graphically, The Expanse is Telltale's most visually stunning game thus far. Whether it's Drummer gracefully maneuvering through a narrow passage or floating weightlessly through the vastness of space, The Expanse's environments are teeming with an astonishing level of intricacy, all while perfectly balancing Telltale's signature art style. Deck Nine Games skillfully infuses Episode 1's various settings with a blend of captivating and eerie visuals, as the vivid and otherworldly color palette of the vast cosmos clashes with the hauntingly elegant, blood-stained design of the UNN wreckage. The Expanse's facial animations represent a significant leap forward, allowing the characters to react with striking realism to each line of dialogue and every action taken. Consequently, The Expanse's vibrant array of characters exude a remarkable degree of dynamism, with the impact of Drummer's choices in speech, as well as those of the entire crew, becoming much more discernible and impactful within the complex web of relationships.

In Episode 1 of The Expanse, the story takes a dark turn when the crew of the Artemis discovers gruesome remains and evidence of a pirate attack on the Earther ship. In order to salvage valuable resources, Drummer, a member of the crew, must navigate the collapsing internal compartments of the ship. Players are given the task of exploring and problem-solving their way through each compartment, with the possibility of missing important salvageable items.

The gameplay mechanics of The Expanse demonstrate Telltale's evolution, as it replaces the clunky and restrictive movement from previous titles with smooth, freeform traversal in a vast space. Players can walk or run as Drummer with ease, granting them the freedom to quickly accomplish tasks or leisurely explore for hidden collectibles and secrets. The introduction of zero-G traversal is a noteworthy addition, allowing players to freely move through open spaces and land Drummer on any surface within a compartment. This feature expands the possibilities for thorough exploration, as hidden areas may contain unique crew interactions or valuable salvageable materials.

The relationship and choice mechanics in The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 1 have undergone a similar evolution. Instead of limiting the story to a few key dialogue options, The Expanse takes advantage of exploration to create a system where Drummer's words, interactions within the environment, and the items she discovers or misses all play a role in determining the fate of the crew members. While Drummer's destiny remains unchanged, the outcomes for every other character depend on the choices made by the player in these areas. Episode 1 of The Expanse still presents two significant decisions, but the most significant consequences seem to arise from exploration segments and personal interactions throughout the entire episode.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 1 centers around the intersection of its advanced mechanics, where Drummer's initial tutorial conversation greatly influences a relationship. While exploring the Earther ship later on, Drummer stumbles upon a hidden item that she believes would be appreciated by a specific character. Players then have the option to mention this item during a call with the character, who responds harshly, resulting in another dialogue choice that affects the relationship. Episode 1 concludes this storyline, but the decision to give the item to the character is commemorated in a trophy/achievement for Episode 2, indicating its significant impact on the overall narrative.

The combination of exploration and relationships in The Expanse adds depth to the familiar formula of Telltale games. However, this implementation can be frustrating as players are not provided with any guidance on locating and collecting salvage items. It is possible to miss many pieces of salvage while following the directional marker to the next objective. To experience all crew interactions, players need to interact with various areas of the environment, seek feedback from the crew, and search hidden locations using a blowtorch. Only after the credits roll will players know if they have found all collectibles and experienced all crew interactions.

The gameplay mechanics of The Expanse: A Telltale Series play a crucial role in Episode 1, where fans are tasked with unraveling a gripping mystery. While searching the wreckage, Drummer, the protagonist, discovers that it belongs to the United Nations Navy, raising questions about its complete destruction. Through the use of items and body parts found among the officers, Drummer stumbles upon a mysterious data drive hidden in a safe. Although the impact of this discovery is briefly touched upon in the final scenes of Episode 1, leading to a life-or-death decision, its importance to Drummer's story and the wider Expanse universe establishes Episode 1 as one of Telltale's most compelling narratives.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 1 marks the triumphant return of Telltale Games. It not only delivers one of the studio's strongest single episodes but also offers vastly improved mechanics and a gripping introduction to The Expanse universe. Engrossing both new and old fans, The Expanse succeeds in capturing the essence of its source material and maintaining Telltale's trademark storytelling. Moreover, Episode 1 grants players a greater sense of agency, heightening the anticipation surrounding the impact of their decisions. By initiating Camina Drummer's origin story with a powerful kick-off and presenting compelling evidence of the studio's resurgence, The Expanse: A Telltale Series is shaping up to be one of Telltale's finest experiences yet.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a prequel to the popular sci-fi show on Amazon Prime, based on James S. A. Corey's novel series. In this game, players follow a young Camina Drummer as she embarks on a perilous journey through the dangerous Belt. With its five episodes, the game is designed to be enjoyable for both fans and newcomers to The Expanse.

Episode 1 of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Game Rant received a PS5 code for the purpose of this review.