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EXCLUSIVE: How The Expanse: Osiris Reborn’s Progression System Works, Plus Brand New Screenshots
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will not use fixed character classes, instead allowing players’ combat styles to be defined mainly by their equipped and upgraded weapons and gadgets. Although players choose an initial specialisation, it only determines starting abilities and equipment, leaving scope to build hybrid characters as the game progresses.
Captains can invest in four open skill trees: Marksmanship, Gadgets, Survivalist and Leader, covering weapon handling, abilities, durability and companion support. Players cannot unlock every option, but can reset their build aboard their ship for an increasing cost; gear upgrades at a workbench range from basic stat improvements to new effects and abilities, such as a frag grenade firing additional explosive projectiles.
In short
- Combat builds are based on gear, not fixed classes.
- Four skill trees support flexible hybrid character builds.
- Workbench upgrades can substantially alter weapons and gadgets.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
An open progression system can let players shape a fighting style around the weapons and gadgets they enjoy, while still giving an initial specialisation useful direction. Hybrid builds, meaningful gear upgrades and the option to reset skills may reward experimentation and make progression feel responsive to the player’s choices.
The case against
Without fixed classes, players may find it harder to understand their role or make a distinctive build, especially if weapons and gadgets define most of their combat style. Since not every skill can be unlocked and resets grow more costly, experimentation could also feel constrained, while gear effects may make balance and build choices harder to read.
Explained simply
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a science fiction action game where players control a captain navigating combat with weapons, gadgets and companion support. How characters progress and develop their abilities is central to the player experience and determines what gameplay options are available. This game has chosen an approach that emphasises flexibility rather than restricting players to rigid character classes.
Rather than fixed classes, players define their combat style mainly through the weapons and gadgets they equip and upgrade. Players choose an initial specialisation that determines starting abilities and equipment, but this does not lock them into a particular role as they progress. They develop their captain using four open skill trees covering marksmanship, gadgets, survivalism and leadership, though they cannot unlock all available options.
The progression system encourages players to make meaningful choices and experiment with different playstyles. Captains can reset their builds aboard their ship—though at increasing cost—allowing experimentation without permanent mistakes. Equipment upgrades range from basic stat improvements to new abilities, such as weapons firing additional projectiles, giving players granular control over how their captain develops.