The Expanse: A Telltale Series Deluxe Edition is a single-player narrative adventure game with RPG elements centered on player choices and character relationships. Set in the prequel era of the established sci-fi universe, it places players in control of Camina Drummer as executive officer aboard the salvage vessel Artemis. The experience unfolds across five main episodes plus a bonus chapter, emphasizing exploration, dialogue decisions, and the consequences of those decisions on crew dynamics and story outcomes.
Gameplay
Players navigate detailed three-dimensional environments from a third-person perspective, moving freely through ship interiors and derelict wrecks. Core activities include scanning objects for salvage, interacting with the environment to uncover details, and engaging in conversations that reveal character backstories and influence alliances. Zero-gravity sections allow use of mag boots to walk on surfaces in any orientation and thrusters for controlled floating through open space, adding a distinct traversal layer to scavenging runs.
Light interactive elements break up the pacing, such as routing power through junction boxes, cutting through hull sections, or avoiding hazards during exploration. Quick-time events handle action sequences like drone encounters or emergency maneuvers. Collectible salvage items can be assigned to crew members, altering how they respond in later scenes and potentially shifting available dialogue options or story branches. The design rewards thorough exploration on the Artemis and wreck sites, as environmental details and overheard radio exchanges provide context for upcoming decisions.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely in single-player mode with no multiplayer components. Progression follows an episodic structure, with each chapter advancing the central narrative while allowing players to revisit locations for missed interactions or collectibles. Branching paths emerge primarily through dialogue selections and exploration choices, leading to variations in crew survival and ending sequences. There are no separate difficulty settings or alternate modes beyond the standard story experience and accessibility options for subtitles, waypoints, and content warnings.
Narrative and Setting
The story focuses on the Artemis crew navigating tensions between Belters and Inners while pursuing high-value salvage in the outer Belt. Key supporting characters include the gruff captain, the veteran pilot Khan, the Morozov twins, medic Virgil Marks, and mechanic Maya Castillo. Decisions range from resource allocation during crises to handling crew conflicts, with outcomes that can result in different combinations of survivors by the finale. The writing maintains fidelity to the source material's tone, highlighting the harsh realities of space operations and political undercurrents without requiring prior knowledge of the broader universe.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception highlights strong voice performances, particularly Cara Gee's portrayal of Drummer, and the weight given to player choices that affect multiple crew members. The experience suits those who prioritize story-driven adventures over extended combat or open-world systems, delivering a focused campaign that typically lasts between five and nine hours depending on completionist habits. Zero-gravity movement receives mixed feedback for its deliberate pace, which some find immersive and others find cumbersome during backtracking. The Deluxe Edition compiles the full season with the additional episode, making it a complete package for players interested in choice-based narratives set in a tense sci-fi salvage operation. It appeals most to fans of character-focused storytelling who value replayability through different decision paths rather than mechanical depth or competitive elements.