Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Dealer gives a rewarding roleplaying expertise set within the grimdark far way forward for Video games Workshop’s storied sci-fi universe — one thing followers have been screaming for perpetually. Developer OwlCat Video games has realized loads of methods from its Pathfinder collection, and whereas nonetheless a bit of tough across the edges, largely succeeds in crafting a becoming tribute worthy of the God-Emperor of Mankind.
Rogue Dealer casts gamers within the titular function of a Rogue Dealer, a hereditary, semi-divine authority granted to a person, who then has the best to exit and conquer star programs within the identify of the Emperor and govern in his identify. This necessitates amassing wealth, establishing commerce networks, and controlling topic populations. It is the sci-fi equal of privateering and makes for a wealthy roleplaying setting, with gamers inspired to make choices based on their chosen philosophy.
A basic isometric CRPG in some ways, Rogue Dealer maintains convoluted style conventions however does make some concessions for brand new gamers. This implies a statistically deep, content-rich gameplay expertise that pushes again and calls for focus. That is doubly the case in the event you plan on enjoying Core issue, positioned because the set of parameters that finest emulate the setting (and required to unlock sure Trophies, because it occurs). For our cash, OwlCat Video games is the CRPG studio finest poised to benefit from Baldur’s Gate 3’s breakout success, however gamers coming from that sport ought to anticipate a a lot scrappier expertise with a steeper studying curve.
Graphically, Rogue Dealer seems to be nice on PS5, with the uber-gothic 40K aesthetic delivered to life in expansive environments and thru detailed weaponry and tools. Character fashions go away little to be desired, and, sadly, OwlCat determined to reuse cosmetics choices like hairstyles from its earlier sport, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, which recycled these of Pathfinder: Kingmaker. It is not a deal breaker, however it’s disappointing, and gamers who take delight in creating their characters may discover the present limitations restrictive.
Fortunately, when it comes to gameplay mechanics, Rogue Dealer is an interesting sport with loads of room for constructing selection and fight that continues to escalate. When creating a personality, you may choose from the sport’s 4 base courses and progress to extra superior ones, selecting up abilities to assist exploration, dialogue, commerce, and fight alongside the best way.
Gamers should handle the gear and development of their companions to beat the percentages towards them. 5 characters can accompany the Lord Captain (the title of your participant character) on away missions, and this entourage must be well-rounded sufficient to deal with something they encounter, from mechanical faults to hostile Xenos races. There’s a sizeable roster of companion characters, every with persona, playstyle, and philosophical preferences, with sufficient selection to accommodate your customized lead.
Between the hardline Imperialis, altruistic Benevolentia, or sadistic Hereticus philosophies, you are rewarded with perks and gameplay choices for sticking to a creed whereas remaining trustworthy to the famously bleak setting. It is a universe during which any weak point is punished, and a second of hesitation can have far-reaching penalties. For instance, Imperialis means following the legal guidelines of the land to the letter, burning heretics, killing mutants, and purging something (or anybody) the Imperium has deemed unclean; not your common “good man” fare. Conversely, taking the ostensibly kinder Benovolentia possibility may imply letting the corruption of Chaos unfold, infecting total worlds, necessitating planet-killing measures like Exterminatus.
Fight is the place gamers will spend the overwhelming majority of their time, and it is a competent turn-based tactical affair, if a tad gradual (however you may pace issues up). Ruled by motion and motion factors, characters can use melee, ranged, and psychic talents to dominate the battlefield, with superior courses permitting entry to extra unique choices. Rogue Dealer consists of thrilling set items and boss encounters, and elements like pleasant fireplace and bullet penetrations must be accounted for. OwlCat manages the fragile balancing act of 40K fight, the place futuristic firearms take care of improbable tools like chainswords and energy fists, making fight at any vary each vital and impactful.
By way of writing, we loved what OwlCat has managed to attain, however then we have been already lifelong followers of the schlocky sci-fi setting. Your mileage might fluctuate relating to Warhammer, however Rogue Dealer tells a compelling story that may see the participant character rise to startling heights and uncover a sprawling thriller, anticipated to beat excessive opposition and switch a revenue all of the whereas. There’s a shocking quantity of voiced dialogue from companion characters, however most interactions are delivered via textual content reams. A leisurely playthrough will seemingly take you over 50 hours, with the potential for extra in the event you’re deeply invested.
Nonetheless, we did have some pretty constant efficiency points on PS5 all through, with dropped frames in populated areas and extra vital fight encounters. We did not discover a lot reduction within the sport’s settings, as graphical choices appear geared in direction of PC. Relatively than having the easy efficiency and graphic settings console gamers have come to anticipate, Rogue Dealer gives numerous FSR upscaling tweaks, which did not repair our body charge (even on the efficiency setting), however did achieve decreasing the decision. Worse, a couple of bugs prevented development, corresponding to the subsequent quest marker not triggering after clearing a room and being unable to depart. These are the sorts of issues more likely to be fastened post-launch, however did negatively affect our expertise nonetheless.
Conclusion
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Dealer is a CRPG worthy of its grimdark sci-fi setting, providing gamers participating tactical turn-based fight and an immersive journey. It lacks polish, and we encountered some irritating bugs, however deep class customisation and an exploration of the setting like nothing earlier than means there’s lots to advocate for followers who’re prepared to make the leap.
