While The Expanse television series adapted one of the best storylines from the James S.A. Corey books, there's still an enormous amount of material that never made it to the screen. The show's six seasons primarily followed James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante, but the original nine-book saga extends far beyond their adventures, introducing entirely new characters, factions, and conflicts that dramatically expand the universe.
In fact, the final three novels remain largely untouched by the television adaptation, leaving some of the franchise's most ambitious storylines unexplored. And considering just how rich the source material is, there's no reason future installments necessarily need to revolve around Holden and his crew.
Fortunately, The Expanse is officially returning in 2027, although not in the way many fans might expect. The franchise is taking a decidedly different approach this time around, switching genres entirely and introducing a new set of lead characters.
The Expanse is officially returning in spring 2027, but this time, the franchise is switching genres with Osiris Reborn, a third-person action RPG from Owlcat Games, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. While the franchise has ventured into gaming before, this upcoming release promises a much more action-heavy experience, with an entirely new cast of characters and a story that players can influence through their decisions.
Osiris Reborn puts players in the shoes of a customizable mercenary working for Pinkwater Security, allowing them to choose between an Earther, Martian, or Belter background. After a seemingly routine visit to Eros Station goes horribly wrong, the protagonist becomes embroiled in a massive conspiracy involving Protogen, forcing them to assemble a crew and fight for survival.
Gameplay combines RPG progression systems and squad-based combat, with players able to issue commands to companions during firefights. There's also a major emphasis on character relationships, branching dialogue, and consequential decisions that shape the adventure, drawing comparisons to BioWare's Mass Effect series (RIP).
Although Osiris Reborn revisits familiar locations and events from The Expanse, it isn't a direct adaptation of the books' remaining storylines, as Owlcat is introducing its own characters and conflicts within the established universe. It's a promising direction for the franchise, particularly for fans eager to explore more of its world beyond Holden and the Rocinante's adventures.
James Holden may be the face of The Expanse, but Osiris Reborn is officially handing the spot over to an entirely new protagonist. Instead of following Holden and the Rocinante crew, players will create their own captain, complete with a customizable appearance, background, and personal history. However, Holden isn't actually being written out of the franchise, and the game's storyline doesn't replace or overwrite his adventures.
In fact, Osiris Reborn actually takes place alongside the events of the first two books and roughly the first two and a half seasons of the television series, offering fans an entirely different perspective on some of the series' biggest moments. Players experience the fallout of major events like the destruction of the Canterbury and the catastrophe on Eros, all while pursuing their own storyline involving Protogen.
Owlcat Games has confirmed that Holden and his crew's adventures will continue to influence the wider universe as they do in the show/books, with those events experienced firsthand by players. Familiar characters may also pop in, although the story will primarily revolve around the new cast.
Osiris Reborn will give players a fresh take on The Expanse franchise that moves beyond retelling Holden's story. More importantly, it opens the door for future adventures that aren't necessarily tied to the Rocinante's legendary captain. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is slated for a spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
