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Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (video game)

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Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Developer(s)Owlcat Games
Publisher(s)Owlcat Games
Director(s)Alexander Mishulin[1]
SeriesWarhammer 40,000
EngineUnity[2]
Platform(s)
Release7 December 2023
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an isometric role-playing video game developed and published by Owlcat Games set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The game was released for Windows PC, macOS, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S in December 2023.

Gameplay

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Similar to prior Owlcat games (Pathfinder: Kingmaker), Rogue Trader is an isometric role-playing video game, heavily utilizing the d100 TTRPG system from the game of the same name.

The player controls a party of six characters, including their own, through ground combat and social interactions.[3] It features a turn-based combat system and an isometric perspective. One of the game's distinguishing features is its emphasis on realm-building, with the player's decisions as a Rogue Trader affecting the rest of the gameplay as they build their space empire.[4] Space combat is also present. The game also supports a cooperative multiplayer mode on PC, consoles do not support cooperative multiplayer.[5]

The alignment system allows the player to make Dogmatic choices that are typically merciless but in keeping with the setting's fervent belief in the God-Emperor, Iconoclastic choices that challenge the status quo, or Heretical choices that are Chaos-aligned. These choice radically alter conversation options and equipment availability.

Setting

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Rogue Trader takes place in the Koronus Expanse, a little charted and unknown region of space. The player, the titular Rogue Trader, is a member of the hegemonic Imperium of Man, given special permission by the Imperium to explore, trade, and conquer, all for the benefit of the Imperium and Mankind as a whole.[6]

The player character, a member of a powerful Von Valancius family, unexpectedly rises to power in the Koronus Expanse.

The first DLC, Void Shadows, released on September 24, 2024. The expansion introduced a new storyline focused on a Genestealer Cult threat aboard the player's voidship, creating tension and suspicion among the crew.[7]

Reception

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Rogue Trader received generally positive reviews upon release, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[8]

Rock, Paper, Shotgun applauded the alignment system, citing that both extremes and the middle of the road options had playable value.[11] Leana Hafer from IGN described the game as an "ultra crunchy, 130-hour space epic with excellent writing and combat", though she criticized the presence of various software bugs.[9]

Jody Macgregor from PC Gamer praised the game's tone and atmosphere, though he disliked the combat and the game's technical issues at launch.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "OWLCAT GAMES ANNOUNCES WARHAMMER 40,000: ROGUE TRADER". Owlcat Games. My.com. Retrieved 29 Nov 2023.
  2. ^ Saver, Michael; Pung, Julia; Stanton, Devon (2024-01-04). "Made with Unity: 2023 in review". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  3. ^ Reuben, Nic (June 15, 2022). "Owlcat Games on exploring the Koronus Expanse and going full heretic in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  4. ^ Marshall, Cass (December 6, 2023). "Rogue Trader's role-playing embraces the brutality and freedom of Warhammer 40K". Polygon. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Marshall, Cass (November 2, 2023). "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader's co-op campaign is super flexible". Polygon. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "ABELARD WERSERIAN: A MAN OF HIS DUTY". Owlcat Games. Retrieved 29 Nov 2023.
  7. ^ McHugh, Alex (2024-09-24). "The best Warhammer 40k RPG just got even better thanks to this new DLC, out now". PCGamesN. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  8. ^ a b "Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader review". Metacritic. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Hafer, Leana (December 16, 2023). "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Review". IGN. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Macgregor, Jody (December 6, 2023). "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader review". PC Gamer. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  11. ^ Evans-Thirwell, Edwin (28 Nov 2023). "Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader's most intriguing aspect is the most boring part of other RPGs - the middle ground". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 29 Nov 2023.
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