The Expanse: A Telltale Series’ sci-fi drama has all the hallmarks of a riveting Telltale narrative.
Late last year, Star Trek actor William Shatner recently went to space for the first time, and after finally witnessing the deep sea of darkness, he returned to the blue orb we call home. He proclaimed, “It was the death that I saw in space and the lifeforce that I saw coming from the planet”. So, for The Expanse: A Telltale Series to create an excitingly interwoven chronicle with compelling characters full of vitality and emotion in this background is not an easy feat.
Thankfully, The Expanse is a rich IP that began as a novel by James S. A. Corey, published in 2011, and ultimately spawned 9 books in the series, an Amazon Prime TV show with six seasons, and a legion of fans. A question that arises when creating a new story in an already established universe is how they can continue to deliver thrilling new tales and break new ground while revering what came before it. Aware of these doubts, The Expanse: A Telltale Series consulted extensively with the writers of the book and crew of the show with arguably superb results.
Telltale Games initially cut their teeth with a particular style of narrative games focused on powerful storytelling in an episodic format with heavy hitters such as The Wolf Among Us and The Walking Dead. For The Expanse: A Telltale Series to succeed is not only evidence of a faithful tale in that sprawling universe but also a story of a triumphant return for Telltale Games. Sadly shutting down in late 2018 due to mismanagement after a legacy of cherished video games and leaving behind their fame as a narrative powerhouse, many were distraught over the developer’s demise.
Resurfacing in 2019 and vowing a more sustainable business model, The Expanse: A Telltale Series is the first video game of this new iteration of the iconic studio. Co-developed by Deck Nine Games and Telltale Games and published by the latter, the game serves as a prequel to the television series and puts you in the shoes of Camina Drummer, played by the same actress reprising the role as the show Cara Gee.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series kicks off with Drummer on the scavenger vessel The Artemis planning a heist with his boss on a ship destroyed by pirates. By briefly introducing the colorful crew that naturally feels like they have engaged with each other for some time before the main story, the team suits up, and this is where the staples of a classic Telltale game start to rear its head. Every interaction, snarky comment, and careful response seem to carry their weight for current and future episodes.
Video games can be an intense interactive medium rife with emotional responses and heart-racing decisions, and The Expanse: A Telltale Series takes advantage of that. Heavy decision-making that will undoubtedly alter the fate of each character makes a prompt appearance, asking you to think twice and doubt your choices for upcoming episodes. The dreaded “X will remember that.” makes a comeback to trigger anxiety as well.
The first detail you notice about this universe is how cutthroat and unforgiving it is. Camina is a brilliant protagonist, as her no-nonsense approach to conflicts that arise anchor you into a more stoic mindset. Her relationship with each member of the crew of The Artemis is clear, and the risks are laid out expertly. This expedition to the destroyed ship will not be an easy one, and it can be felt in some of the character’s uneasiness and way of blowing off steam previous to the mission.
After finding a horrifying image in the spaceship they’re scavenging, what seemed like a quick way to steal hard-to-find resources quickly becomes a harrowing adventure for survival that will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of the playthrough. Who will survive, the items you find (or don’t) in your journey that can aid you in the long run, and the strained relationships with the crew are all carefully decided with each step Drummer takes. The wait for each episode until the last one releasing on September 21st, will most certainly be a daunting one if each one is structured as thrilling as the first.
Without dragging you much into the specifics of terms such as “the Belt”, “Inners” and the like, The Expanse does an excellent job of sliding you into the middle of the narrative without being too overbearing with just the right amount of exposition. For those who do know the context of the terms, they will most certainly get more out of the experience, but Telltale did an excellent job at onboarding you into the world without having to think twice about the lore.
A barrage of easter eggs and nods to the overarching universe, such as the appearance of Chrisjen Avasarala with the voice of Shohreh Aghdashloo from the Amazon Prime series, will surely be a surprise delight for fans of the series. Among other details sprinkled throughout the game, Telltale seems to have spared no expense to add every little detail they could add that eagle-eyed players will be rewarded for their meticulousness.
Gameplay features such as the zero-gravity floating feel a little clunky but is serviceable and entice you to explore around the wreckage and the famed “Can I go there?” question be answered instantly and satisfactorily. Several side missions require you to go off the beaten path and give you alluring tidbits and observations of your crewmates.
Several action sequences with button prompts, when the narrative heightens, are an important part of the gameplay, and although they have never been Telltale’s strongest suit, they can be fluently solved with the plethora of accessibility features the game smartly offers. Finally, the majestic soundtrack composed by Clinton Shorter sets the tone for an enchanting space drama unlike any other in its league.
Playing this particular game feels like being part of a very well-structured high-end space drama. Stakes are raised every so often to keep you engaged. A triumphant return not too often seen on the gaming landscape, The Expanse: A Telltale Series hits the ground running and doesn’t stop. By the time the first episode’s credits are rolling, you’ll be utterly hooked and counting down the days for the next release of this masterful tale.
