The Expanse: A Telltale Series continues the story seamlessly from the first episode, with a chaotic opening that reflects the disarray. Now that Camina Drummer has assumed the role of captain of The Artemis, our choices hold even greater significance. Despite still being in the early stages of the series, the episode leaves me with a sense of progress by the end.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series – Episode 2 (PC [Reviewed], PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Deck Nine
Publisher: Telltale
Release Date: August 10, 2023
Price: $39.99
A Familiar Gameplay Loop
I must admit that Episode 2 bears similarities to its predecessor. We begin aboard the Artemis and encounter a field of ship debris. Navigating through the wreckage, uncovering hidden items, and ultimately returning to the Artemis define the core gameplay loop. While the narrative progresses in this episode, the relatively short duration of each episode, about an hour and a half, makes me slightly concerned.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand that this is part of the essence of The Expanse. It’s logical that we have spent all our time in the vastness of space thus far. However, the repetitive nature of exploring derelict ships feels somewhat monotonous. It would be intriguing to have the opportunity to explore a space station or even visit Earth, Mars, or another planet. Although such diversions are unlikely given the overarching storyline of The Expanse, it would add a captivating element to the game.
Around halfway through the episode, a new gameplay element emerges as we navigate the wreckage while evading laser beams from searching drones. Though not revolutionary, it is refreshing to see Deck Nine incorporating new gameplay mechanics into a narrative-driven title.
Choices That Truly Matter
After making significant choices in the first episode, I wondered if they would genuinely impact the story. Additionally, I made an effort to complete “side missions” and collect various items requested by my crew.
To my pleasant surprise, the choices I made in the previous episode did seem to shape the events of this episode, which is commendable. It also appears that gathering the additional items had an influence. For instance, in Episode 1, our medic requested a new laser crystal for the surgical device on the Artemis. I managed to find it, and in Episode 2, someone required a surgical procedure. The procedure was seemingly successful because of the laser crystal I obtained. I am curious about the potential outcome had I failed to acquire it.
As a side note for fans of The Expanse, this is definitely the Camina Drummer from the show. As I mentioned in my impressions of Episode 1, Cara Gee delivers an excellent performance. I’m delighted that they were able to secure her voice for Drummer. Throughout this episode, there are several decision points that truly reflect Drummer’s character. By the end of the episode, we witness the impact of Drummer’s captaincy on our crew, establishing the groundwork for future episodes.
In two weeks, we will explore Episode 3, at which point we will have a clearer understanding of the direction in which The Expanse: A Telltale Series is heading.
[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher. We will reserve the score for the final episode to encompass the complete experience.]
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
