Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- December 7, 2023
- Owlcat Games
- 64h median play time
Take a walk on the more obscure side of the humans in the Warhammer universe, but it will be a bumpy ride.
In "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - Deluxe Edition," players explore the Koronus Expanse, a dangerous and profitable region of space, from their personal voidship. As a Lord-Captain, players make decisions that change the open world and their crew of heroes, psykers, and xenos. Every action, even in character creation, affects the game's outcome.
Reviews
- Engaging story and characters that immerse players in the Warhammer 40k universe.
- Complex character customization and build options that allow for diverse playstyles.
- Turn-based combat that feels satisfying and rewarding, especially when utilizing character synergies.
- Numerous bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay and immersion.
- Significant difficulty spikes in certain encounters, leading to frustration for players.
- Pacing issues in the latter acts of the game, with some players feeling that the story loses momentum.
- story3,474 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" is generally praised for its depth, engaging characters, and strong ties to the Warhammer 40k lore, providing a rich narrative experience that resonates with fans of the franchise. However, many players report significant issues with bugs that disrupt quest progression and narrative coherence, particularly in the later acts, leading to frustration and a sense of incompleteness in the storytelling. While the initial chapters are well-received, the latter parts of the game often feel rushed and disjointed, detracting from the overall experience.
“The story is unexpectedly deep.”
“The developers truly managed to capture the spirit of Warhammer 40k, giving this game a very genuine and unique feel that makes it stand out a lot amongst other story-focused RPGs.”
“The story is rich, showcasing the Warhammer universe well, getting a better view of everyday life and workings of the Imperium than a lot of media, with its own brand of quirky dark humor going throughout.”
“The story is solid, but it spreads itself thin by the middle act, with many plot points seemingly dropped for no reason or suddenly declared non-important despite being driving mysteries.”
“The story completely stalls after the first act and just gives you a bunch of busywork to do.”
“The story is well written for the most part, but the pacing and writing quality begin to suffer towards the middle of the game, with some characters behaving in an odd way and several writing breaks that I can only assume are the result of half-baked storylines being scrapped and re-worked into the final game.”
- gameplay1,427 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, reminiscent of classic CRPGs, with a focus on tactical turn-based combat and character customization. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and rich lore, they also note significant issues such as bugs, unbalanced mechanics, and a steep learning curve that can make the experience frustrating, especially for newcomers. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable gameplay and narrative depth, but it is marred by technical problems and design choices that detract from its potential.
“The mechanics are similar to the Owlcat Pathfinder games, but set in 40k.”
“The gameplay is much more fun than the Pathfinder system.”
“The combat mechanics are quite solid and provide an enjoyable tactical experience.”
“The mechanics behind the game are horrible; I am not a fan at all of how they approached the classes and all the tiny upgrades.”
“However, the gameplay and UI are dated, clunky, obtuse, and often times immensely irritating to go through.”
“The gameplay is just so abysmal.”
- stability854 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay, particularly in the later acts. Many users experienced game-breaking issues, such as crashes, unresponsive quests, and visual glitches, making the game feel unfinished and frustrating to play. While some players noted improvements post-launch, the consensus is that the game remains too buggy for a full recommendation, with many suggesting waiting for further patches before diving in.
“Runs great, only really experienced 1 bug that I noticed at least.”
“I've been rather lucky with the game; my latest run to completion was by and large bug free, minus two quests that were failed still being active being the most glaring.”
“Acts 1 to 3 are fun and almost bug free, except for quests/rumors in the journal not updating and some visual glitches resolved by saving and reloading.”
“The UI constantly glitches out, rumors still bugged and have been since release, saves/loads still broken... no auto-saves in 2 hours and all the quick saves I'd done not there... I do not understand how this game has very positive reviews when it gets to a point of being unplayable.”
“Months after release, a new DLC is coming and the game remains buggy as hell.”
“The game is a buggy mess that shouldn't be released so early.”
- graphics537 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated and lack the polish seen in more recent titles like Baldur's Gate 3. While some appreciate the art style and its faithful representation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, others criticize the overall quality, citing issues such as graphical glitches, low-resolution textures, and a lack of character animations. Despite these shortcomings, the game's aesthetic and atmosphere are often praised, contributing to an immersive experience for fans of the franchise.
“The graphics are lush in my personal opinion.”
“The grim and dark atmosphere of the Warhammer 40,000 universe is effectively conveyed through the art style, making you truly feel like a part of this dystopian future.”
“The visuals are stunning, with meticulously designed environments that immerse you into a dystopian future.”
“Also the text-heavy dialogues (that are mostly not voiced), lack of real cutscenes and overall lower quality graphics obviously are certainly not for everyone and feel out of date.”
“The graphics do look dated; imagine 'Kingmaker' with some fancier lighting effects.”
“For a universe as rich and visually intense as Warhammer 40k, the graphical quality falls embarrassingly short, making it seem like a relic in comparison to more modern titles.”
- music322 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and immersion, effectively capturing the grimdark essence of the Warhammer 40k universe. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with compositions that range from epic orchestral pieces to haunting choral arrangements, although some note that certain tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset to the game's experience, contributing to its narrative depth and emotional impact.
“The music is phenomenal, as is the sound design.”
“The soundtrack is an absolute banger, and I found myself vibing to the music rather than actually taking turns in combat, because the songs are that good.”
“The atmosphere, the voice acting, the music, and the writing are superb.”
“The music was passable, but didn't really stand out.”
“The music is slow and repetitive like a goddamned lullaby.”
“Some of the music gets repetitive, very repetitive but the combat sounds... holy emperor they're amazingly good.”
- atmosphere315 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of the grimdark universe, with meticulous attention to detail in world-building, art design, and sound. Players appreciate the rich lore, compelling narratives, and atmospheric music that enhance the overall experience, although some note that bugs and gameplay issues can detract from immersion. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the Warhammer 40k setting, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.
“The atmosphere and world-building are stellar; rarely did a game so effectively draw me into its setting.”
“Rogue Trader absolutely nails the atmosphere of the grimdark 40k universe, with convincing dialogue options for those that inhabit it.”
“The atmosphere, characters, and writing have been great, but there are significant bugs.”
“There is so much exposition, much of which is badly written, poorly and partially voice acted, and featured in stop-start cut sequences that create no immersion or atmosphere at all.”
“The atmosphere you can cut with a knife.”
“It sucks like they nailed the atmosphere with the game but decided to be classic Owlcat and not improve at all and release their game in an extremely unfinished state.”
- grinding213 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive combat encounters and lengthy leveling processes. While some appreciate the depth of character customization and the engaging story, the overall experience is often marred by a lack of variety and overly complex mechanics that lead to a slog through the gameplay. Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from streamlining certain systems to reduce the grind and enhance enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy.”
“No grinding I have seen so far, but it doesn't need it.”
“The combat encounters feel tedious and repetitive; the typical cycle of stacking buffs, mowing over cannon fodder, and focusing down the hero lacks depth and variety.”
“The game is plagued by a god awful amount of loading screens combined with a tedious space component that drags down the game as a whole to an insufferable level.”
“Up to act 3 this game is great, after that however it crumbles into tedious repetitive patterns, arbitrary difficulty spikes, navigation becomes soul crushingly tedious, the final level in particular seems to have fights and events designed to kill your will.”
- optimization147 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including long loading times, frame rate drops, and bugs, particularly in later chapters. While some users with high-end rigs experienced smooth gameplay, others noted that even powerful systems struggled, indicating that the game may require further patches and optimizations to reach its full potential. Overall, many recommend waiting for improvements before purchasing, as the current state is often described as poorly optimized and buggy.
“Was worried my computer would have issues because it can barely run Baldur's Gate 3 without lagging, but the game runs smooth and looks great, very well optimized.”
“Performance-wise, I had no issues; it ran smoothly and I didn't experience any crashes.”
“Oh, on a side note, the game is probably the most optimized Owlcat game to date.”
“Optimization needs attention as the game can struggle with frame rates and stability, particularly in more demanding scenarios.”
“Performance is poor as usual with Owlcat games.”
“It's technically playable from start to finish, yes, but the amount of game-breaking bugs and performance issues involved in a rushed release quickly sour the experience.”
- humor106 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of quirky dark comedy and absurd situations, effectively capturing the grim yet satirical essence of the Warhammer 40k universe. Players appreciate the well-crafted dialogue that ranges from hilarious to heartbreaking, alongside amusing bugs and character interactions that enhance the overall experience. While some find the humor to be a highlight, others note that it can sometimes detract from the game's pacing and seriousness, resulting in a mix of genuinely funny moments and frustrating gameplay elements.
“I was totally unprepared for how funny this game is.”
“A lot of love and care has been put into making the dialogue intriguing while still providing the dark humor expected in a Warhammer game.”
“It's funny to make moral choices when everything is so terrible.”
- replayability81 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its numerous branching paths, character builds, and alignment choices, allowing players to experience different outcomes and storylines. Many reviewers highlight the depth of customization and the variety of decisions that significantly alter gameplay, making it appealing for RPG fans. However, some players express concerns about the game's length and certain design choices that may limit replay value, suggesting that while replayability is present, it may not be as enticing for all players.
“The many branching choices, classes, and alignments offer a high replay value.”
“The unending number of story options makes the game incredibly replayable.”
“So, not only does this game give newcomers to the world of 40k the perfect way to learn about the world, but it also has an incredible amount of replayability for such a long game, with most people saying their playthroughs take about 80-150 hours, and the game having three distinct paths through the game (dogmatic, iconoclast, or heretic), with two different endings for each path.”
“The biggest issue with all of Owlcat's games is that it taunts you with so much replayability and branching paths, but makes the games 100+ hours long.”
“This game just doesn't have what it should to make me want to bother finishing it; forget any replayability, that is a zero.”
“Has absolutely no replayability once you beat it.”
- character development63 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is praised for its complexity and depth, offering a wide array of customization options and meaningful choices that significantly impact gameplay and story outcomes. Players appreciate the intricate leveling system and the unique synergies between abilities and items, although some find it overwhelming, especially when managing multiple characters. Overall, the character development is seen as a standout feature that enhances the immersive experience within the Warhammer 40k universe.
“I am completely blown away at the level of detail, story, lore, depth, and character development this game brings to the table. Owlcat has absolutely broken this genre of games for me now.”
“The game provides a sophisticated character development flow.”
“The companions you meet are not mere NPCs; they are masterpieces of character design, brimming with personality and purpose.”
“The character development is very complicated without a sound tree system to lead you as you develop your crew.”
“Lots of wasted potential in terms of story, equipment, and character development.”
“All the side-characters, with the exception of two, have really boring and meaningless personal story arcs with no actual character development or proper payoff.”
- emotional37 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding heartwarming moments and deep character connections, while others criticize the lack of organic emotional depth and impactful storytelling. Many appreciated the heavy and complex dialogue choices that elicited a range of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak, but felt that the overall emotional core was lacking, particularly in key story moments. Despite some touching interactions and character arcs, the game often left players feeling disconnected from their characters and the narrative, leading to a sense of hollowness in the emotional payoff.
“Her 'romance' (or more likely a bond) was heartwarming and sincere.”
“The companions, character arcs, and plots for some acts, go from gut-wrenching to emotional.”
“There were so many moments where I laughed out loud or had a difficult choice that I sat for minutes pondering the ramifications of or some truly heartfelt moments that really made me connected to the world.”
“The combat is frustrating, the characters are forgettable, and the story is painfully dull, making it hard to feel any emotional connection.”
“The game fails to provide engaging character interactions, leaving players to endure a tedious narrative without any emotional investment.”
“With a lackluster travel system and an unrewarding leveling experience, the emotional depth of the game is completely lost.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the effort put into the game and noting it isn't a typical cash grab, while others criticize it for microtransactions and rushed DLCs that feel unfinished. Many players express disappointment over misleading advertising and a lack of genuine progression, leading to concerns about the game's long-term value and integrity. Overall, the sentiment reflects a cautious optimism overshadowed by skepticism regarding future monetization practices.
“Forget the promise of progression and non-linearity, for in the grim dark future there are only microtransactions.”
“I really wanted to give this game a chance and I did, but it comes across as an unfinished cash grab.”
“Most seem incredibly rushed, full of bugs, and just a blatant cash grab.”
Critic Reviews
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Review
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader not only promises, but delivers the very thing it was designed to be – a meaty, authentic Warhammer 40k game that feels right at home in its RPG trappings.
85%Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Review – Boundless Ambition
Paying extensive homage to the source material while weaving a compelling tale of its own, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an involving experience with fun combat and memorable characters.
80%bugs can’t fully spoil a CRPG dream come true
“Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader delivers a dream CRPG for Warhammer fans if you can get past its bugs.”
70%