Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

About

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.

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Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader screenshot

+10

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 28,623 reviews

story4.1k positive mentions

stability2.5k negative mentions

The story is praised for its depth, engaging characters, and rich lore, effectively immersing players in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Gameplay features deep and complex mechanics, blending turn-based tactical combat with RPG elements, providing a fun and engaging experience.
The atmosphere is widely appreciated for its immersive representation of the grimdark universe, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and detailed environments.

The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and performance problems, particularly in the later acts.
Later acts of the game are criticized for pacing issues and a loss of narrative direction, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall story cohesion.
The monetization strategy has drawn criticism, with many players feeling the game is a 'cash grab' that lacks substance and relies on microtransactions.

story
11,328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The story of "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and rich lore, effectively immersing players in the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40k. Many reviewers highlight the meaningful choices that significantly impact the narrative, creating a sense of agency and replayability. However, the latter acts of the game, particularly Acts 4 and 5, are criticized for pacing issues, rushed plotlines, and numerous bugs that can disrupt the storytelling experience, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall narrative cohesion.
- “The story is great, full of lore and grim humor, but what makes it unbeatable is its fluidity, constantly changing based on your choices.”
- “The writing of the story is gripping, the characters feel real and autonomous, and the narrative choices presented to you are numerous and meaningful.”
- “The story captivates from start to finish, with a richness that beckons for another playthrough.”
- “Leaving a negative review simply because the game doesn't warn you that completing a quest ends Act 1.”
- “By the second act, things start to make less sense, the story wears more thin, and decisions stop mattering quite as much.”
- “The story starts strong but loses direction in later acts, with the player often reacting to events that seem to happen arbitrarily.”
gameplay
4,725 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
7%
The gameplay of "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, blending turn-based tactical combat with RPG elements reminiscent of both XCOM and Owlcat's previous Pathfinder titles. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and variety of character builds, the game is marred by numerous bugs, unclear mechanics, and balance issues, particularly in the later chapters, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these challenges, the engaging story and rich lore of the Warhammer 40k universe keep many players invested, making it a compelling, albeit flawed, entry in the genre.
- “Gameplay-wise, the combat’s fun and the build diversity feels quite large.”
- “Deep and immersive gameplay, with engaging characters and a rich story.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly fun and engaging, the combat system is quite well balanced (at least on daring difficulty) and the environments and designs are both gorgeous and very true to the Warhammer 40k setting.”
- “Some gameplay features seem underbaked, such as the colony management system, which I feel should be a bit more robust and require more of the player, rather than just 'get the resources and interact with a menu.'”
- “The mechanics of the gameplay have passed through a lot of trial and error, due to the many problems at launch (and for a good chunk of time afterwards), but I can say it's been worth it.”
- “The game mechanics are overwhelming with little explanation, the AI cheats when above normal difficulty, and the pacing is just a slog.”
stability
2,544 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The stability of "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as "incredibly buggy" and "a buggy mess." While some users report improvements post-launch due to patches, the game still suffers from numerous glitches, particularly in the later acts, which can lead to game-breaking issues and frustrating experiences. Overall, while the game has potential and offers an engaging story, its current state is marred by instability, prompting many to recommend waiting for further updates before diving in.
- “It is my 2nd favorite CRPG I've played (the first being Baldur's Gate 3), and my playthrough has been 99% bug free minus some harmless bugs like character models going into each other during some traversal, but that elicited a chuckle out of me rather than any frustration.”
- “However, as of writing this review, it's finally close to being bug free - all game-breaking bugs seem to be fixed, at least as far as I can tell.”
- “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.”
- “On release, it was a buggy mess.”
- “While very enjoyable, at release, the game was a buggy mess post act 3.”
- “The game is currently still a buggy mess, but I recommend it highly.”
graphics
1,681 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The graphics of "Rogue Trader" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the game's ability to capture the grimdark aesthetic of the Warhammer 40k universe through its art style and environmental design. However, several players noted that the graphics feel dated, often likening them to those from older titles, and criticized the game's performance issues, including graphical glitches and high resource demands. Overall, while the visuals effectively convey the atmosphere and lore, they fall short of modern standards, especially when compared to higher-budget titles like Baldur's Gate 3.
- “The developers have done an incredible job of bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life with stunning visuals that capture the grim darkness of the far future.”
- “The graphics and attention to detail remain commendable, portraying the grim landscapes and massive starships with a visual flair that immerses players into the dark and oppressive ambiance of the Warhammer 40k universe.”
- “The visuals are stunning, with meticulously designed environments that immerse you into a dystopian future.”
- “The graphics are based on Owlcat's engine, which means they are somewhat dated at times.”
- “This is 2024... why am I still seeing graphics from roughly 2006?”
- “The graphics are very dated, like 2015 level, yet my girlfriend's 1060 was getting lower fps than DOS2, which arguably has better graphics and smoother performance.”
music
1,137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
40%
1%
The music in "Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader" has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the grimdark essence of the 40k universe. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the best in the franchise, with a diverse range of tracks that enhance gameplay and evoke strong emotions during key moments. While some players noted occasional repetitiveness in the music, the overall consensus is that the score significantly contributes to the game's rich atmosphere and storytelling.
- “The OST is probably one of the best ever and really helps with the game's atmosphere.”
- “The attention to detail of the setting is great and the soundtrack fits the 40k universe so much.”
- “The music hits in all the right places and does a lot to craft a 40k atmosphere.”
- “Also I turned off the music because it doesn't feel like there is any worth mentioning.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
1,128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The atmosphere in "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of the grimdark universe, effectively capturing the essence of Warhammer 40k lore through detailed environments, compelling music, and rich storytelling. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of dread and complexity, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise, despite some technical issues and bugs. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, drawing players into a deeply engaging and atmospheric experience.
- “The atmosphere is rich in no small part thanks to the art and music.”
- “The atmosphere, detail and the soundtrack elevate the experience even further.”
- “The atmosphere, the dialogue, the visuals, it just bleeds grimdark, and I played most of the available 40k games, so this doesn't come easily from me.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is infused with the spirit and lore of the Warhammer 40k universe, reflected in lovingly crafted details that bring the setting to life.”
- “The atmosphere nails 40k - it's easily apparent that the Imperium isn't the 'good guys', and the warp is a credible threat.”
grinding
640 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader" has received significant criticism, with many players finding the leveling system and combat mechanics to be tedious and overly complex. Frequent level-ups can feel like a chore, especially with the vast array of skills to manage, leading to a sense of burnout as players navigate repetitive combat encounters and extensive dialogue. While some enjoy the depth and role-playing elements, the overall sentiment suggests that the game may require a considerable investment of time and patience, often feeling like a grind rather than an engaging experience.
- “Likewise, the combat is interesting but not too tedious.”
- “No grinding I have seen so far, but it doesn't need it.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “Character progression is complicated and tedious and I don't think it's going to be fun for most players.”
- “The combat is tedious and magnitudes of abilities and classes are straight up useless.”
- “The leveling system is beyond tedious and so frequent I would not doubt over a quarter of my playtime was just me reading skills for a character system that doesn't make any sense why they would set it up like that.”
optimization
488 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
57%
23%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in later acts, and a tendency for the game to struggle with frame rates and stability during combat. While some users report smooth performance on high-end rigs, others experience stuttering, long loading times, and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Overall, it appears that while there have been improvements since launch, further optimization is still needed to enhance gameplay and stability.
- “Leveling up has a million different options and ways to optimize it, which can be overwhelming, but if you don't want to put a lot of energy into it, the game is definitely beatable without optimized builds.”
- “They did a great job with the lore of a niche universe and keeping true to the things that make CRPGs enjoyable: obsessive optimization, ridiculous strings of information to keep hold of, a complicated UI that feels comfortable, and pages upon pages of text.”
- “After the updates and optimizations, I can't recommend this CRPG enough.”
- “The game stutters constantly, even after removing the direct input DLLs and tuning the game for as much performance as possible to a point of near unplayability.”
- “It's also badly optimized; my cooler should not run louder here than in Baldur's Gate 3.”
- “The performance though is horrendous as well as having multiple bugs happen to me just in the prologue.”
humor
368 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark, grim humor with absurd and over-the-top scenarios that resonate well with the Warhammer 40k universe. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, hilarious character interactions, and the comedic potential of gameplay mechanics, often finding themselves laughing at both intentional jokes and unintentional bugs, such as T-posing characters. Overall, the game successfully balances its serious themes with moments of levity, making it a memorable experience for fans of dark humor.
- “It's hilarious and well structured.”
- “I was totally unprepared for how funny this game is.”
- “The writing is top-notch, capturing the grimdark essence of Warhammer 40k while also providing moments of dark humor and satire.”
replayability
296 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The game boasts high replayability, with players praising its diverse story paths, character builds, and meaningful choices that significantly impact outcomes. Many reviews highlight the potential for 100+ hours of content, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different ideological routes and character combinations. However, some players express concerns about the lengthy nature of the game potentially diminishing the desire for repeated runs, alongside a few technical issues that may affect the overall experience.
- “This game is extremely fun, very diverse in story and play style of the campaign that it allows replayability and keeps you hooked.”
- “The replayability value alone, to discover all the different outcomes, gives this game an added value which is hard to overstate.”
- “Your decisions significantly impact the narrative and the fate of your crew, which adds a layer of replayability that’s rare to find.”
- “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 development
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
66%
2%
Character development in the game is noted for its complexity and depth, offering a wide range of options and synergies that allow for diverse playstyles and meaningful choices. While many players appreciate the intricate mechanics and the impact of character decisions on gameplay and story, some find the system overly complicated and difficult to navigate, leading to potential frustration. Overall, the character development is seen as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience, though it may require a steep learning curve.
- “The character development is spectacular, and I was glued to the screen my whole playthrough.”
- “I am completely blown away at the level of detail, story, lore, depth, 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.”
- “Whole character development system is extremely overcomplicated.”
- “The character development is very complicated without a sound tree system to lead you as you develop your crew.”
- “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.”
emotional
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed reactions, with many players expressing deep emotional engagement through laughter, tears, and a sense of immersion in the Warhammer 40k universe. While some moments and character arcs are praised for their depth and impact, others feel that the game lacks a consistent emotional core, particularly in key story moments and character interactions. Overall, players appreciate the potential for emotional investment but note that technical issues and uneven storytelling detract from the experience.
- “Overall, it’s been an incredible experience and although I haven't yet finished the game, it already has made me cry, laugh, and otherwise completely and utterly consumed my every waking thought.”
- “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.”
- “You can get emotionally invested in some characters and then have to make a decision to kill them or ruin their lives for the greater good, or sacrifice the masses to save a few that you know.”
- “GW apparently didn't let them do anything interesting with characters, so enjoy the bland interactions as you slog through a boring story.”
- “Tldr: bad combat, bad characters, boring story, awful travel system, unrewarding leveling.”
- “Tldr: bad combat, bad characters, boring story, awful travel system, unrewarding leveling.”
monetization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
79%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it as a "cash grab" that feels unfinished and rushed, often relying on microtransactions. While some acknowledge the effort put into the game, there is a pervasive concern that future downloadable content (DLC) may lack substance and simply serve to extract more money from players. Overall, the sentiment reflects a distrust of the game's monetization strategy, with players wary of being treated as beta testers rather than valued customers.
- “It feels like a lazy, unfinished, and unoptimized cash grab misusing the same engine as previous efforts.”
- “Forget the promise of progression and non-linearity, for in the grim dark future there are only microtransactions.”
- “It was released as a cash grab and people are basically paying to be beta testers for this product.”