Telltale’s return to the market is centered around the exciting Amazon Prime sci-fi show, The Expanse.

Featuring a returning Camina Drummer, players will get to experience the events that happened before the show and what leads Drummer to Tycho Station.

What’s inside The Expanse: A Telltale Series?

• Five Episodes to tell one whole story
• Bonus Episode – Archangel (If you purchase the Deluxe Edition)

How do you access it?

Once installed, each episode is selectable from the main menu screen but it is recommended you play them in order as they tell one continuous story

Archangel has not released as yet, so it’s unclear how this will be played as of writing.

How much does it all cost?

• The RRP of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is $39.99 / £33.49
• The RRP of The Expanse: A Telltale Series Deluxe is $44.99 /  £37.49

What we thought?

Episode One – Archer’s Paradox

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. 

8 out of 10

Episode Two – Hunting Grounds

The humour and witty writing shines in Hunting Grounds, and it’s nice to see mechanics used in different ways, but this is also an episode that retreads familiar ground a bit too much and doesn’t get going until the second half. While a long-term story is being told and you get the feeling your decisions will soon have repercussions, for right now I haven’t felt much need to deliberate over my choices and I’m becoming desperate to see life on other planets/vessels rather than float aimlessly around space for another three episodes.

7 out of 10

Episode Three – First Ones

First Ones got me good and really reminded me of the Telltale of old. They hit with reveals, twists, action, suspense, drama, but also mystery solving and a bit of humor for good measure. The stakes just got suitably raised and the stage is truly set for the final two episodes. It’s getting real interesting in space, folks. 

9 out of 10

Episode Four – Impossible Objects

Impossible Objects is a well made character profile for Cammina Drummer. It’s a brilliant psychological profile of her past, of the consequences of her actions, and facing the reality of her situation. Deck Nine are really starting to connect the dots to the TV show and have delivered an episode of fan service which is sure to bring a smile to many faces. However, this is now a Season in desperate need of a big finish to offset much of its filler.

7 out of 10

Episode Five – Europa’s Folly

Europa’s Folly is a fast-paced thrill ride that packs one big moment after another into its short run-time and is a great reminder of what Telltale and Deck Nine are capable of. It’s fed well by the build-up that came before it, adds further development for the Camina Drummer character, and gives players the important decisions they’ve been asking for. With drama, action and suspense aplenty, Europa’s Folly manages to do enough to make up from missteps earlier in the season, but most characters don’t really develop beyond what we’ve seen and others are unfortunately sidelined. It rounds out a season of ups, downs, compelling moments and ‘what ifs’. 

8 out of 10

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Conclusion

The Expanse: A Telltale Series has some great moments and is rounded off with a compelling finale that nicely connects the dots to the TV show. Featuring a few surprises and several reminders of what Deck Nine can do, The Expanse is a mostly successful return to market for Telltale, though suffers from some repetitive, debilitating mechanics, a bit too much filler with story spread too thin and limited character development beyond Camina Drummer.

Overall, a great celebration of an incredible franchise. 

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