The Expanse Weaves Mass Effect into Its Sci-Fi Saga

The striking resemblance of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn to Mass Effect has led many to dub it Mass Effect: The Expanse. From the initial trailer and the available gameplay details, the comparison is clearly justified. It’s worth noting, however, that Owlcat Games is transparent about its influences, proudly wearing them on its sleeve.

During an IGN interview, creative director Alexander Mishulin and head of publishing Andrey Tsvetkov openly acknowledged the impact BioWare’s sci-fi franchise had on The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. That said, they emphasize that the game is far from being a simple clone.

For fans of The Expanse, Osiris Reborn is an especially thrilling project. It continues the beloved universe with a fresh story featuring returning cast members from the Prime Video series. Owlcat hasn't revealed specific names—despite my attempts—but at least we can look forward to more stories after the show concluded in 2022.

Personally, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn holds even more appeal. As a devoted Mass Effect enthusiast who also adores The Expanse and thoroughly enjoyed Owlcat’s Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader—regarded not just as a standout Warhammer title but among the finest cRPGs lately—the excitement is palpable.

So does Osiris Reborn perfectly bridge Mass Effect, The Expanse, and Warhammer 40,000? Continue reading to discover just how deeply Mass Effect’s DNA runs through The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.