Lightning crackles between another group of foes.
A leering Daemonette of Slaanesh tears into reality, clawing at one of my squad members.
That’s just another day in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, the latest role-playing game from Owlcat Studios.
A moment of respite.
Disclaimer: This review was made possible by a review code provided by Owlcat Games.
The companies did not see the contents of this review before publishing.
What is Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader?
That means gathering allies, striking trade deals, resolving problems, and engaging in combat.
Lots and lots of combat.
Something that Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader absolutely nails is the writing.
Instead, this game completely understands the scale of horror that unfolds on a daily basis.
Your companions serve as roughly hewn gems, cloudy facets to see a small glimpse of the world through.
All of that culminates in the payoff of your decisions.
Something bad may have happened here.
Or do you want to be a frontline brawler, focusing on soaking up damage?
Either path (and many more) is possible.
With each turn, characters can move a certain distance and use ranged or melee attacks.
One clever ability use can turn defeat into victory.
Myriad weapons, armor, equipment, abilities, and skills will have to be managed for find success.
Having a powerful psyker in the right spot means being able to flip an enemy vessel’s direction.
Levels are expansive, selling the scale of towering, impossibly large warships and cities.
Man the guns.
Additionally, combat plays out with a stunning array of color and detail.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Should you buy it?
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a gem.
A tranquil coastline?
A gem that could use more polish, but a gem all the same.
If you’re a Warhammer veteran, you’ll feel right at home.
If you’re a newcomer, this is a great way to explore the depths without drowning.
You’ll be doing a lot of reading.
A tangled web of possibilities awaits, though you should be cautious and save frequently when playing.
Get your squad ready.
