So far as episodic adventures go, The Expanse: A Telltale Collection has been a mediocre affair thus far. Telltale Video games and Deck 9 have struggled to ship a stable narrative, relying primarily on the zero-g exploration to occupy nearly all of the goings on. With the ultimate episode now right here although, one hopes it ends spectacularly to make sure one thing memorable may be taken away from the expertise.
Who am I kidding? The Expanse: A Telltale Collection Episode 5, “Europa’s Folly”, is one more flawed and underwhelming outing; albeit for various causes than earlier than.
*Warning – spoilers forward for earlier episodes*
Beforehand on The Expanse: A Telltale Collection, Camina Drummer discovered herself struggling delusions attributable to her dwindling oxygen provide. It did present perception right into a previous incident involving Anderson Dawes, however apart from that it felt like an extended and drawn out strolling sim. Within the latter levels nonetheless, seeing Drummer lastly coming nose to nose with the ruthless Tor and the somewhat fascinating Captain Toussaint actually made issues attention-grabbing. After which, simply when the storytelling high quality began to shine, it ended.
That type of works in favour of episode 5 although, permitting it to start on a excessive and get straight into the motion. Drummer is reluctantly heading again to the Artemis ship alongside Tor, tasked by Toussaint with retrieving the MK Core and disposing of the remaining crewmates. All of it kicks off although, resulting in fights towards these whom Drummer as soon as trusted, in addition to the pirates.
For the quite a few tussles there are a number of QTE sequences included, and it is advisable to appropriately comply with the on-screen instructions. Something involving a gun is tiresome as you rinse and repeat the identical two button inputs. The hand-to-hand fight isn’t significantly better, though the magazine boots do allow the choreography to get just a little inventive from time to time. That stated, it doesn’t come near the thrilling and unique fisticuffs discovered within the likes of Batman: The Telltale Collection.
Regarding the harmful battle occurring, I believe it’s laborious to actually develop into invested and be gripped by all of it. The issue is that the primary protagonist is a personality featured prominently within the TV collection afterward in The Expanse timeline, so it doesn’t matter what occurs, you don’t concern for Drummer’s security. Solely her comrades are in actual peril, which is much less of a fear as a result of the narrative efforts previous to this have been under par and, on the entire, didn’t construct these all-important relationships.
Even the conversations and tense moments within the finale are carried out to an ordinary that’s nowhere close to the degrees anticipated from a Telltale related collection. All the pieces appears rushed, with a fleeting scene for every of the Artemis crew that continues to be alive. Their destinies are formed by the alternatives you made throughout your entire journey to this point, which is shocking contemplating how few resolution making alternatives there have really been.
A minimum of this fifth episode accommodates much more choice-driven sections than any of the earlier ones, and to its credit score, there’s a giant one which’s certain to have you ever pondering. One other of them is fairly mindless although, providing two related choices which did not swimsuit the tone of how the dialogue was taking part in out. So, it’s a blended bag, however the amount is appreciated greater than the rest.
Very like the mentioning of Anderson Dawes and Camina Drummer’s previous with the OPA in Episode 4, there are character appearances and references right here that followers of the TV collection will recognise. Thus, they’ll in all probability garner a bit extra enjoyment from the ultimate episode than others would. Everybody ought to admire the voiceovers by Cara Gee (Drummer) and Ghandia O. Johnson (Toussaint) nonetheless, who each do a grand job with what they’re given.
And that’s a wrap for the season. Episode 5 of The Expanse: A Telltale Collection is quick and livid, however not in a great way. Each second appears hurried, seeing you having rushed conversations with character after character till you’ve ticked all of them off. Whereas there’s loads of motion, it’s very hit or miss, which is the same problem the place the choice making is worried.
The Expanse: A Telltale Collection – Episode 5 doesn’t change the truth that, as an entire, it’s a mediocre episodic journey. In the event you’re massively into The Expanse universe, then perhaps take into account it within the sale at push. However in any other case I wouldn’t trouble.
