Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is the spiritual sequel to the critically acclaimed Rogue Trader. Instead of being more of the same, it expands in ambitious ways.
Earlier this year, I published my review of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Taking a crash course on this grimdark universe, I found myself heavily intrigued by what it entails. The God Emperor, the millions of daily human sacrifices, praying to the Machine Spirit. It gets dark fast. I could spend a whole day talking about the intricacies of the lore from its humble beginnings in the late 80s. Warhammer 40K: Dark Heresy is the spiritual sequel to Owlcat’s highly acclaimed cRPG, and I spent some time with its beta. Not to oversell my experience, but if the full game delivers even a sliver of what I played, we will have a GOTY contender on our hands.
Players of Rogue Trader will immediately see Dark Heresy is cut from the same cloth. Intricately detailed, you have to expect walls of text are the norm here. While it may seem daunting for prospective fans, certain in-universe words are highlighted to describe what they mean. More than that, every character interaction shines due to its grittiness and authenticity. If there is something Owlcat knows how to do well, it is creative writing. From an isometric perspective, the fully playable first chapter of Dark Heresy has your protagonist in front of a grand jury. The Inquisitor will now decide your fate.
Are You A Heretic?
Judged by the crime of being the sole survivor of an assault on a vessel called the Shultus’s Valour, you must navigate headfirst how to come out of this tricky situation alive. Because of the hierarchical nature of this world, you, as an acolyte, are in such a bind for the death of your superiors. Sensing an opportunity to create a new pawn, the Lord Inquisitor grants clemency in exchange for being indebted for life to this all-powerful magnate.
Whereas Rogue Trader had a pioneering vibe to it, Dark Heresy is more of an investigative adventure. In that game, exploring new planets and learning about the horrific plights of unfortunate souls and making tough decisions is the game’s MO. As an acolyte with the support of the Inquisition, a new mechanic called the Inquisitorial Journal has you collecting evidence like a hard-boiled detective. Seeking evidence in the most unthinkable of places, searching for footprints, and interrogating suspects will determine the fate of each case. As long as you pass the dialogue skill checks, that is.
Each decision forges your character path. Monodominant, Xanthite, Amalanthian, or Xenos Hybris are the alignments that basically boil down to how much of a believer you are. Because much in the world of Warhammer 40k revolves around the God Emperor, so do your character’s beliefs, forged by your decision. Pragmatic and cutthroat, my character aligned with the monodominant conviction.
New Paths Forward
Driven by self-sacrifice more than zealous fanaticism, my choices were determined by duty in my roleplay as an assassin. This is but a fraction of what the game has to offer, as every path taken will be solely your own, as it is mine in this case. If you are ever so slightly intrigued by the W40k universe, this is shaping up to be better than ever.
In regards to combat, a new Morale meter replaces the Momentun system seen in Rogue Trader. Overall more intuitive, morale is improved by killing stronger enemies or leaders of enemy factions. This unlocks heroic movements, ultimately changing the tide of battle that can eventually lead them to surrender should your morale prove too high for them. A focus on exploration to inspect every nook and cranny of the Scintilla system will help in battle, as ill-prepared acolytes will surely be decimated in seconds. Naturally, even more so in harder difficulties. A story mode for those focused on the narrative is available.
Conclusion: Dark Heresy
Longtime Warhammer fans have speculated that just as the original beta of Rogue Trader released in June 2023 to a December 2023 launch, so will Dark Heresy come out by then. Regardless of the current timeframe of the game’s launch, this beta simply confirms that it is not only a simple retread of what made its predecessor great, but it’s also taking strong steps forward to carve its own identity. An innovative Disco Elysium-inspired investigation system standing tall next to its complex tactical combat and award-winning writing means a new adventure the Emperor will be pleased by is not that far off.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy does not have an official launch date yet, but the current beta can be accessed by pre-ordering the game.
