Project Retrograde: The Becoming vs The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

• Perspective: Third-Person (with some First-Person elements)
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic Underground
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: To Be Announced
• Unique Feature: A unique 'Parasitic Combat' system where players absorb memories to unlock and switch between entirely different fighting styles, combined with a weather-manipulating 'LUX' system.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only (Party-Based Combat)
• Setting: The Expanse Universe (Parallel to Books 1 & 2)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: TBA (Expected 2026)
• Unique Feature: Owlcat Games' first third-person action RPG, focusing on tactical real-time combat and zero-G scientific realism within the highly political setting of The Expanse.

• Crew: The player leads a crew of six companions, two of whom join the Captain in active combat. Their skills, personalities, and relationship dynamics are heavily developed throughout the campaign.
  Human (Earther, Martian, Belter)

• Combat Memories: Absorbed from other hosts. These are the primary collectibles that unlock new fighting styles and parasitic abilities for the player.
• Lore Items: Found through exploration of the shattered underground cities, these items piece together the history of Project Retrograde and the L.U.C.A. parasite.

• Strategic Assets: Gained from completing missions. Temporary benefits like intelligence networks or auxiliary infantry used on the strategic layer.
• Ship Components: Resources and components used to upgrade and customize the frigate Gemini.

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Sci-Fi
• Survival
• Action
• Third-Person
• Narrative-Driven
• Body Horror
• Retro-Futurism

• Sci-Fi
• Hard Sci-Fi
• Action RPG
• Political Intrigue
• Zero-G Combat
• Narrative-Driven
• Space Opera

• Firearms: Varies (Pistols, etc.)
  A range of firearms used in the 'Gungfu-centric' combat system, featuring mechanics like ricocheting bullets.
• Melee Weapons: Axe
  The game features brutal melee combat, with the 'Baba Yaga' fighting style centered on a powerful axe.
• Parasitic Abilities: Supernatural
  Powers granted by the L.U.C.A. parasite, unlocked by absorbing combat memories.

• Firearms: Varies (Rifles, Pistols)
  Standard projectile weapons. Ballistics and recoil are realistically simulated based on the atmosphere and gravity of the combat zone.
• Crew Abilities: Supernatural / Technical
  Unique abilities tied to the crew's specializations, used in real-time combat, such as disabling enemy systems or providing targeted fire support.

• Vacsuits / Combat Armor: Armor is essential for survival in zero-G and low-atmosphere environments. Armor sets can be customized and built through looting or buying, providing defensive stats and possibly skill bonuses.

• Crew Uniforms: Players can customize the appearance of the Captain, including gender, hairstyle, and outfit. Premium editions include exclusive armor skins and casual outfits (like Miller's OPA Heavy Armor).

Progression is driven by the unique 'Parasitic Combat' system. The protagonist can absorb combat memories from other hosts to unlock new parasitic abilities and master entirely new fighting styles, such as a fluid Kung Fu master or a ruthless, axe-wielding 'Baba Yaga'. Players must also manage their parasite infection level to prevent overload.

Character progression is flexible, avoiding rigid classes. Players invest skill points into areas like science and persuasion, which are checked against skill levels (not RNG). The system is designed to be deeper than modern casual RPGs, with consequences for specialization. The level cap is 30. Players upgrade weapons, armor, and the Gemini ship.

The game is structured as a series of explorable zones and habitats (Ganymede, Mars, Luna) rather than a single open world. The core environment is the vastness of space, with tactical zero-G combat being a major component. The Gemini frigate serves as the mobile hub and base of operations.

• The Bounty Hunter: Playable Protagonist
  A survivor in a post-apocalyptic world who is symbiotically bound to the L.U.C.A. parasite, granting them immense power.
• Winter: Ally
  A surface agent who teams up with the protagonist.
• Sean Anderson: Antagonist / Target
  The bounty hunter's primary target, who is responsible for a recent mutation event.
• L.U.C.A.: Parasite / Power Source
  The ancient parasite that has overrun the world and is symbiotically linked with the protagonist, granting them powers at the risk of consuming their identity.

• The Captain: Playable Protagonist
  A customizable mercenary employed by Pinkwater Security. The player chooses their political origin: Earther, Martian, or Belter.
• Zafar and Michael: Companions
  Two confirmed companions who join the Captain in the field, offering distinct specializations and contributing to dialogue and combat.

• Operations
  Mini-campaigns consisting of multiple missions on a single planet or habitat. The goal is to progress through the operation with permanent consequences for losses.
• Distress Calls
  Optional missions found on the strategic layer. The player's choice to accept or reject them impacts their budget, resources, and faction relationships.

• Q: What is Project Retrograde: The Becoming?
  A: It is a single-player, third-person action survival game with a strong narrative focus. It is known for its 'Gungfu-centric' combat, a parasitic ability system, and a unique weather-manipulation mechanic.
• Q: What games is it similar to?
  A: Its visual style, camera angle, and action combat have drawn heavy comparisons to the modern Resident Evil remakes (particularly RE4), while its narrative atmosphere has been likened to The Last of Us and The Evil Within.
• Q: What is the 'Parasitic Combat' system?
  A: It's a unique progression system where the player absorbs combat memories from other hosts to unlock completely new fighting styles, such as a Kung Fu master or an axe-wielding 'Baba Yaga'.
• Q: When will it be released?
  A: No specific release date has been announced yet, but it is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

• Q: What is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn?
  A: It is a third-person action RPG set in The Expanse universe. It is a story-driven, party-based game focusing on tactical real-time combat and political intrigue, developed by Owlcat Games.
• Q: Is it a CRPG like Pathfinder?
  A: No. While developed by Owlcat, it is their first third-person Action RPG (ARPG) with real-time combat, marking a major technical and genre shift for the studio.
• Q: Does it have space combat?
  A: No. Player-controlled large-scale ship battles are excluded. Ship combat is handled through cinematic cutscenes influenced by player choices and ship upgrades.
• Q: Who is consulting on the physics?
  A: Former NASA astronaut and ISS commander Leroy Chiao consulted with the developers to ensure the zero-G and zero-atmosphere combat adheres to scientific realism.

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs were not provided, these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation title built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. Actual performance would vary significantly based on the final game's optimization and the laptop's specific hardware configuration.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, heavy particle effects, and cinematic combat.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense boss fights will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game with slow-motion mechanics.
• Game Name: Project Retrograde: The Becoming

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs were not provided, these are hypothetical projections for a demanding third-person ARPG built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop. The game's required scientific realism (physics, ballistics) and high-fidelity visuals will be demanding.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced graphical features and maintain a stable 60 FPS during zero-G combat.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and complex physics simulation will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of rival squads and the demanding physics of zero-G environments.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a tactical shooter.
• Game Name: The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, heavy particle effects, and cinematic combat.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense boss fights will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game with slow-motion mechanics.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced graphical features and maintain a stable 60 FPS during zero-G combat.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and complex physics simulation will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of rival squads and the demanding physics of zero-G environments.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a tactical shooter.