Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader a TTRPG Classic Made New

By JIM RASBERRY/Staff Writer

As 2023 came to an end, so did an amazing year for fans of the video game industry. Countless new sequels, brand new IPs, and the delivery of long-awaited games came out in the year.

One such game, which came up right at the tail end of the year, was Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader. This game is yet another fantastic new addition to the computer role playing game (CRPG) genre, and is a perfectly done nod to older games in the franchise. Like other hit CRPG of the year Blador’s Gate, it is a wonderful interpretation of its source material. Warhammer 40k was made by Owlcat Games, the creators of other CRPG hits such as Pathfinder Kingmaker. The studio is no stranger to the CRPG genre and they really flex their knowledge with this installment. 

In this game, you take the role of a newly appointed Rogue Trader, which is an explorer, merchant, noble, and bastion of humanity given near-undisputable authority in the dark sci-fi setting of Warhammer 40k. The game sees you flung into a role with vast amounts of political influence and with the lives of thousands in your hands as you traverse the Koronus Expanse. It takes place in the midst of a rising conspiracy from humanity’s greatest enemies, the forces of Chaos. As you travel with your retinue of soldiers, psykers, and cutthroats, you make various decisions that can have lasting benefits or consequences to your playthrough. 

The game itself is a wonderful rendition of the dark, gritty and gothic world of 40k. Vast amounts of lore is found in every location, and the locations themselves perfectly match the strange, imposing and yet beautiful structures of the 40k universe.

The game was made as a modern conversion of its original source materials, the Rogue Trader tabletop role playing game (TTRPG). The system will likely be a welcome surprise to fans of the original Fantasy Flight Rogue Trader game. The company partnership, and with it this series of TTRPG, was dropped by Games Workshop in 2017. Fans who lost their favorite 40k TTRPG will be right at home in Warhammer 40k, since the mechanics and abilities took direct inspiration from this source material. The system was, of course, heavily modified to better fit a video game medium.

The game receives praise for all that it’s done, but it, like many modern games, is not without its flaws. During various cutscenes, both visual and audio glitches break the flow of otherwise dramatic scenes. Like many other 40k franchises, it is a game heavily carried by the existing fan base, and thus may be difficult for newer players to get into. Should newcomers of the franchise give it a try, however, they will be greeted by what is frankly a very well-done introduction to the 40k universe. The intro features plenty of dialogue options and in-game explanations of universe terms, items, and factions. With this in-depth intro, nobody will be left behind in knowledge as they play the game. 

At the time of this writing, Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader consists of five chapters in its main story, with plans for additional story content to be added later on. The game rounds out to roughly 130 hours to completion, with time varying depending on player choices and play styles. With discussions in place for potential cut content and future improvements, 40k fans may expect to enjoy Rogue Trader for some time.