Expanse Beta Review: A Good Attempt At A New Mass Effect - Kotaku

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I Just Played The Expanse Beta and Mass Effect Fans Are Going To Lose It

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If you are anything like me, you probably spend way too much time thinking about the good old days of gaming. I am talking about those late nights spent on the Normandy, talking to your crew and saving the galaxy.

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Mass Effect was more than just a game for most of us. It was a home in the stars that we never really wanted to leave.

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Since the trilogy ended, we have all been searching for something that feels the same. We tried other space games, but they always felt a little too empty or a little too cold.

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Then comes Expanse: Osiris Reborn. According to the folks over at Kotaku, this might actually be the game we have been waiting for.

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The Beta Vibe: It Just Feels Right

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I recently got a look at the beta, and the first thing I noticed was the atmosphere. It does not feel like a generic space sim where you just mine rocks all day.

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The game has that specific \"used future\" look that we love. Everything feels lived-in, a bit dirty, and very real.

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Walking through the halls of your ship in Osiris Reborn feels strangely familiar. It is like coming back to a house you grew up in, even though you have never been there before.

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The developers clearly understood what made the Mass Effect series special. It was never just about the lasers; it was about the vibes and the people.

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In this beta, you can already tell that the world-building is top-notch. Every planet feels like it has a history that you actually want to learn about.

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Why This is More Than Just a Clone

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A lot of games try to copy the greats and fail miserably. They get the look right, but they forget to add the soul.

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Expanse: Osiris Reborn is trying to do things a bit differently while keeping the core stuff we love. The combat is snappy, but the dialogue is where things get really interesting.

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Here are a few things that really stood out during the playtest:

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• Choices that actually matter: You aren't just picking between 'Nice Guy' and 'Jerk.' The decisions feel grey and messy.
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• The Squad: Your teammates aren't just robots with guns. They have opinions and will definitely let you know when they disagree.
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• The Ship: It feels like a character itself. You spend time upgrading it and hanging out with your crew in the mess hall.
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It is honestly refreshing to see a developer focus on the story first. We have enough multiplayer shooters; we need a good single-player epic.

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Combat: Is It Fun or Just Clunky?

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Let's be honest, the original Mass Effect combat was a bit of a mess. It got better over time, but it was always the weakest link.

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In the Expanse Beta, the gunplay feels way more modern. It is fast, fluid, and actually feels dangerous when you get pinned down.

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The powers are the real star of the show here. Combining your abilities with your squadmates feels satisfying in a way that is hard to describe.

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When you land a perfect combo and clear a room of enemies, you feel like a total boss. It doesn't feel like a chore to get through combat sections just to see the next cutscene.

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The Catch: We Have to Wait Until 2027

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Now, here is the part that hurts a little bit. The full game isn't expected to arrive until 2027.

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I know, I know. That feels like a lifetime away when we are all hungry for a good RPG right now.

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But if this beta is anything to go by, the extra time is going to be worth it. The level of polish they are aiming for is huge, and they aren't cutting any corners.

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Kotaku mentioned that this could be the game that finally fills that void. After seeing it in action, I am starting to believe them.

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We have seen too many games rush out the door and fall flat on their faces. I would much rather wait for a finished masterpiece than play a broken mess today.

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Is It Really a \"Good Attempt\"?

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Calling it a \"good attempt\" almost feels like an understatement. It feels like a love letter to the sci-fi genre as a whole.

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The developers are clearly fans of the same stuff we are. You can see influences from The Expanse TV show, Star Wars, and of course, Mass Effect.

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The writing is sharp, funny, and occasionally very dark. It treats the player like an adult who can handle complex themes.

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I love that it doesn't hold your hand too much. You have to figure things out and deal with the consequences of your mistakes.

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Final Thoughts (For Now)

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Even though it is just a beta, Expanse: Osiris Reborn is already looking like a winner. It has the heart, the looks, and the gameplay to back up the hype.

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We still have a long road ahead of us until the release date. But for the first time in years, I am actually excited about a space RPG again.

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Keep your eyes on this one, folks. It might just be the next big thing that we talk about for the next decade.

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If they can keep this level of quality for the whole game, we are in for a wild ride. 2027 cannot come soon enough.

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What do you think? Are you ready to fall in love with a new crew, or are you still holding out for a new BioWare game?

", "labels": "Gaming News, Expanse Osiris Reborn, Mass Effect, RPG Reviews, Space Games, Trending" }