The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Discusses Character Progression

Owlcat Games posted a new development blog post for sci-fi action RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. The new post discusses the game’s character progression systems and how players can build their own play style while upgrading their own abilities and gear, as well as improving their crew.

At the start of the game, players pick a specialisation for their customised character. This determines initial skills and gear; for example, a cyber warfare specialist starts with knowledge in using gadgets, while a firearms specialist has better initial shooting and leadership skills. However, players are free to progress in the game’s four combat skill trees — Marksmanship, Gadgets, Survivalist, and Leader — as they see fit. Players are able to respec for a cost, which increases each time.

In addition to upgrading character abilities, players can upgrade weapons and gadgets at a workbench. Upgrades can include general stat boosts such as more damage, wider damage radius, or a shorter cooldown, as well as triggered effects such as stacking bonuses based on recent kills. Some rare upgrades can even offer brand new abilities. Each upgrade tier gives players a choice between two or three upgrade paths, with the final tier providing a powerful perk; the number of tiers available depends on the quality of the item.

Finally, players’ crew have their own skill tree and gadgets that can be upgraded to complement the player’s choices and play style. For example, Zafar is an engineer who can install a portable turret. Players can choose how to upgrade the turret, such as boosting its rate of fire, allowing it to intercept incoming enemy projectiles, increasing its direct damage, or getting it to fire explosive rounds.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is billed as expanding upon the universe depicted in The Expanse TV and novel series, which is set in a future where humanity has colonised the Solar System. Players are put in the role of a customised Pinkwater Security mercenary who will need to lead a crew and take command of the most advanced ship in the Solar System. Players are joined by two squadmates in battle; squadmates have their own pasts and motives, with their loyalty impacted by player decisions. A closed beta is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for those who have purchased the $289 Collector’s Edition or $79.99 Miller’s Pack from the game’s official website, which is planned to run until the game’s launch in spring 2027.