Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Review ( PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS, PC)

You know how the saying goes: ‘Once you go Warhammer, you’ll never go back.’ And as an avid fan myself, this is one genre that I find offers plenty more. With the vast universe and robust lore, you simply can’t get enough of it. Despite being a fan, I can also say that I’m not an expert. And after giving Owlcat Games’ Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader a go, I have my work cut out for me this holiday season. Plenty of planetary maps exist to explore, character levels to upgrade, and cursed elements to dabble with.  

Nevertheless, I’ll still review the game and give my overall impression. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a work of art and holds firmly to the traditions of every Warhammer game. So if a rich narrative and immersive universe are your ticks, then you should add Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader to your list. Here’s our honest take on the game, featuring the good, the bad, and the downright ugly (if any). 

Always Go Rogue

Owlcat Games made a fantastic choice by focusing on Rogue Traders for their game. It perfectly matches the isometric, top-down RPG style, paying homage to classic computer RPGs. Despite feeling like a fresh system, it captures the essence of those old-school games. If I had to pick a role in this dark and gritty setting, I’d definitely go for the trader. Space Marines might be cool with their huge, bioengineered suits, but they often meet a gruesome end at the hands of alien bugs.

As a trader in this universe, you take charge of massive ships with thousands of crew members whose destinies depend on your decisions. You are free to trade, engage with aliens, and explore uncharted territories that regular Imperium citizens wouldn’t dare to tread. It’s an exciting and immersive experience. 

However, these perks come with a boatload of terrifying risks. Every decision you make affects countless lives, and if you become too oppressive, your loyal subjects might try to stage a mutiny or rebellion. They could even transform you into a grim creature in the worst cases. Essentially, as a rogue leader, you’re meant to embody exemplary leadership, and if you embrace this role, the game rewards you greatly. It’s a delicate balance between reaping the benefits and facing the consequences of your actions.

Character Creation

In Rogue Trader, creating your character is crucial, just like in any RPG. You have two main choices: make your own character or pick one ready to go. The second option is a bit more fixed regarding the type of character, but you can still tweak their looks.

Whether you go for a custom or a pre-made character, they all fall into three main classes: Hecatam, Bahardor, or Darrius. If you’re new to the game, going with a pre-made character is a good idea for a more straightforward experience.

But if you like doing things your way, you’ve got a lot of options. You can customize your character’s appearance, like changing their hair or adding tattoos. You can even go cyborg with different augmentations. And there’s more—you get to choose where your character comes from, which gives you some stat bonuses. Be careful, though, because these can be good or bad for your character. If you want to play it safe, pick the Imperial World for positive perks. 

You also get to decide some details about your character’s past, like their triumphs and darkest hour, and these choices can affect your character. Finally, there are archetypes that build on your character’s origins and past. There are three types: basic, advanced, and exemplar. The first two describe your character build, and the last is where you level up your chosen path.

Feel free to invest countless hours crafting your character. If you aim for a look resembling Henry Cavill, take advantage of the numerous options available to create a character akin to The Man of Steel.

Galactic Glory

In the Warhammer universe, humanity teeters on the edge of extinction due to ceaseless battles. Ancient civilizations clashed with mutants and aliens, offering no respite or mercy. However, beyond the grim darkness of the far future, a glimmer of hope emerges—and that hope is you. As the protagonist, you hold the potential to change the course of this relentless struggle and bring a spark of optimism to a seemingly desolate world. You play as the rightful heir to the powerful Von Valancius Rogue dynasty. Aside from maintaining your family’s legacy, you must also explore the Koronus Expanse, which is ripe with depositories of rare minerals. 

Your massive ship and tens of thousands of crewmates are not the only perks of the Von Volancius name. You also get the family’s warrant of free trade, meaning you have unrestricted access to roam any planet or establish colonies. 

Now, with your ideal character in hand, it’s time to get into the nick of things. Rogue Trader is a one-of-a-kind RPG tailored for PCs. What does this mean? Well, you get stunning graphics and immersive sound effects that immerse you in the grim world. From an eagle-eye perspective, you take your character through various quests as you explore the massive world. The rich narrative unfolds through dialogue, where the game presents choices for you to pick from. 

As a wealthy trader, you don’t have to venture into the grim world alone. You get companions who can make your journey better or worse. Thankfully, you get to pick who to tag along with and get a bunch of choices.

Dive Into the Abyss

As a 40K game, prepare for a journey of terror and challenges in the perilous Koronus Expanse. This region is far from safe, hosting the Wars, a parallel dimension brimming with energy and demonic entities. Navigating the expanse poses a considerable challenge, especially as your decisions may lead to encounters with Xenos incursions.

Combat in this game differs from Pathfinder, where buffing characters involves casting spells for improved stats. Instead, you build up abilities as you progress through each fight, with your character’s menu being central to these developments. The combat itself is turn-based and tactical, but before engaging adversaries, you go through a preparation phase. This allows you to set up your characters and position them strategically, although beware of surprise attacks if uncertain about the encounter.

One noteworthy aspect of combat is its unforgiving nature. The game doesn’t hold back on portraying brutal ways to meet your end. Whether your army takes cover to snipe adversaries or you unleash chain-sword attacks, the experience is intense. Initially, you have a range of weapons at your disposal, including blades, guns, and powerful lightning strikes. Realism comes into play with friendly fire considerations, adding extra caution to your strategic decisions.

The Good

In tabletop gaming, a few games, like Warhammer, grab players’ attention. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader keeps up the tradition, offering a gaming experience that’s both exciting for seasoned fans and welcoming for new players.

At the core of Rogue Trader is massive lore that’s been carefully crafted, pulling you into a world filled with dark magic, heroic tales, and epic battles. The game introduces you to various races, factions, and characters, each with unique stories, making your journey through the Koronus Sphere captivating and purposeful.

The top-notch combat system features powerful support characters and varied move sets. Space combat takes the excitement up a notch, turning void cruisers into sailing ships navigating a flat 2D plane while blasting broadsides. This adds a remarkable change of pace and keeps things interesting.

And let’s not forget the game’s ability to capture the grim, dark setting perfectly. The characters have the right amount of grit, and the surroundings are incredibly detailed, immersing you in a world as intense as it is fascinating. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is more than just a game; it’s a journey into a universe that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

The Bad

Owlcat Games faces a performance challenge, a trend seen in both Pathfinder games and Rogue Trader. Despite their greatness, these games have encountered notable performance issues, a common occurrence with titles offering extensive gameplay options. If you’ve played any Pathfinder games at launch, you’re likely familiar with this experience. The good news is that a handful of patch updates have come to the rescue, breathing new life into the initially troubled systems. It’s worth noting that Kingmaker, another Owlcat Games creation, initially launched with a real-time-with-pause combat system but received a later patch introducing turn-based combat. This history suggests that OwlCat Games is committed to refining and enhancing the player experience post-launch.

Verdict

Owlcat Games emerges as a notable RPG developer, taking a proud step forward with Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. The bugs and complexities in the systems do exist, but the game’s strengths eclipse them. It’s a testament to the game’s quality that, despite the imperfections, the experience remains a standout in the Imperium’s collection of fine titles. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a must-play for RPG enthusiasts and is a commendable addition to the Imperium’s legacy.