The Expanse: A Telltale Series Reviews
Fans of The Expanse, whether that be the books or TV show, will want to pick this game up and give it a go, as Telltale has always been impeccable at throwing players into more of the worlds that fans love.
So far, so good then, for Telltale Games. We're two episodes in and I'm hooked, wishing that Episode 3 - First Ones wasn't over a week away. Hopefully the momentum created will continue all the way to the end.
With only two more episodes to go to complete its story, Telltale shows it can still spin a good yarn. If it can competently wrap up the story threads, everyone involved should get a well deserved pat on the back and extra credits on shore leave.
The first two episodes of The Expanse: Archer's Paradox are a solid beginning. They're mostly there to introduce the setting, the tone and the characters, but that's really all it needs to do. How well it holds up as an entire story isn't something we'll be able to judge for a few months, but isn't that how most TV shows go? As far as quality as an adventure game/interactive movie, The Expanse is a strong return to form for Telltale Games. If you've missed Telltale's games, even if you're not a fan of the TV show, it's worth trying out The Expanse. If nothing else, maybe it'll get you interested in the shows.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a fun game that doesn't stray from Telltale's normal formula but is strong when viewed within that category. If you like the show or the books, you'll get a kick out of it.
Archer’s Paradox is a fantastic way for Telltale to reannounce itself to the world, doing what they do best, while working with one of the best narrative studios in the world. The Expanse: A Telltale Series starts off in an affirming, hard-hitting way, with fun mechanics, optional objectives, and some impactful decisions that will certainly have wide-reaching implications. Slight graphical hiccups, sound quality issues, and a short length do hold this one back a bit, meaning it’s not among Telltale’s best, but none of that is anywhere near enough to stop me from getting hyped for what comes next.
The first episode of The Expanse: A Telltale Series captures what’s great about both The Expanse and Telltale games. That’s the sort of synergy behind the studios’ best games of old, and it leaves me excited that their return could end up as one of their stronger efforts. Despite some concerns about the more action-oriented gameplay late in this episode, I’m certainly excited to see where things go next.
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.
Telltale's The Expanse reinvents their mechanics while being a faithful inclusion to the lore that fans of the books or Amazon's TV series will get the most out of.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series marks the return of the American software house in style. The excellent writing and technical realization allow the work to show off a sparkling and engaging experience. It's a shame for the combat phases and the mechanics relating to collectibles, which fail to fully convince.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Episode 2 shows consequences starting to develop from previous decisions, but whether you'll remember them is still waiting until next time.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series represents a new beginning for the California-based studio. Never before has the numerical rating accompanying the review been little more than a "decoration," especially considering the circumstances we explained at the beginning. However, the premises are more than decent, and if they are upheld, the new project could represent a new dawn for the studio.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's an okay start to the series, but with how little there is in Episode 1, more is needed to find out if the right decisions were made.
While a lack of story-changing decision moments and elementary gameplay systems mar the experience of this episode, the incredible characters and looming narrative climax continue to drive the series as a whole. With guns drawn on both sides and threat levels at maximum, I'm hoping Telltale has enough left in the tank to execute Drummer's story properly with the upcoming finale.
Episode 1 of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is designed by and for the fans, but sci-fi aficionados will appreciate its worldbuilding and deep atmosphere. Those that like a good story will enjoy their time exploring the UNN Urshanabi.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series brings back all the features we've seen before in Telltale games, both the good and the questionable. The transmedia text is great, and the rhizomatic bifurcations look promising, but combat and exploration systems remain shallow and unappealing. For fans of the genre and/or the franchise, a treat. For others, not so much.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
To begin, you play the role of protagonist Camina Drummer. She soon becomes commander of the ship Artemis. Her crew are salvagers who scavenge for wreckage in space. Like any good narrative game, you'll have to make choices that will have consequences for the story. QTEs (quick actions) add an interesting element to the development of the story in The Expanse: A Telltale Series.The script is well written and the result is that you always want to know what happens next. Unfortunately, the controls in space aren't ideal and can be frustrating. On the other hand, it's not catastrophic, and the graphics are rather pretty.To fully understand the story of the members of the Artemis, I recommend that you read as many of the recordings as possible and delve into every nook and cranny. You'll learn more and become even more attached to the characters.Finally, the choices you make are represented in a chart. You can see this in the third image in the slideshow below. Don't worry, the titles don't mean much and I'm not divulging any important secrets.
Review in French | Read full review
A solid addition to the Telltale roster that accurately captures its source material while falling prey to the faults of the studio's other licensed games.
Overall, fans of The Expanse will enjoy this story. I’m curious about what happens in the next couple of episodes, and that’s exactly the sort of narrative pull that I was looking for. But you might also get frustrated with the game at times - it’s not a flawless experience by any means, and I really wanted more from it.
While not a mind-blowing start, The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 1 sets things up nicely for the rest of the story.