I found myself pondering how Owlcat Games would follow up on its acclaimed CRPG, Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader. While I anticipated a sequel, the rapid emergence of another adventure set in the 41st millennium took me by surprise. The studio is actively releasing downloadable content for Rogue Trader, has announced a new Mass Effect-style RPG inspired by The Expanse novels, and has even launched its own publishing division, which is producing intriguing titles like Rue Valley, with contributions from Disco Elysium writer Robert Kurvitz. After immersing myself in nearly ten hours of the Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy alpha, I am convinced that this new title shares more than just a thematic connection with Disco Elysium; it embodies a similar spirit of exploration and narrative depth.
Exploring the Alpha Test
To be featured on our list of the best Warhammer 40k games requires a remarkable display of creativity and execution. Yet, it only takes a few echoes of Disco Elysium for a game to ascend my personal ‘must-play’ list. Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy captures the grimdark essence of the 41st millennium while introducing a detective system that feels reminiscent of ZA/UM’s celebrated work.
The alpha test is currently accessible to players who have pre-ordered either the Developers Digital Pack or the Collector’s Edition, priced at (~£59) and 9 (~£217) respectively. The latter includes an exquisite Kroot statue that I find myself trying to rationalize as a necessity, despite its hefty price tag. This investment grants early access to one of the game’s initial levels.
To summarize my experience, the alpha test spans approximately eight hours. I found myself replaying certain sections to explore the outcomes of different choices. Players can select between two world states, which likely influence the narrative, although I have yet to fully explore this aspect. While it’s challenging to form strong attachments to the characters at this stage—save for one notable exception—I found the alpha to be an engaging introduction to Owlcat’s evolution of Rogue Trader’s mechanics.
The first parallel to Disco Elysium is evident in the updated text presentation. Although not as ornate as Disco’s prose, Owlcat has shifted the text from the bottom of the screen to the right-hand side, a change that, while not exclusive to ZA/UM, certainly evokes memories of my recent hobocop escapades.
More significantly, Dark Heresy places a strong emphasis on investigation. The Inquisitor, while a ruthless enforcer, also embodies the role of a detective. Their primary duty revolves around uncovering heretics and neutralizing threats to the Emperor. Owlcat has successfully integrated a compelling detective mechanic into the gameplay.
As players gather clues throughout their journey, these are compiled into the Inquisitorial Journal. While the image of an Inquisitor penning diary entries may seem far-fetched, this mechanic serves as an effective tool for players to reference vital dialogue and environmental clues at any moment.
This focus on the Inquisitor’s investigative prowess distinguishes Dark Heresy from its predecessor, introducing a layer of tension within the Warhammer 40k universe. Unlike its origins in a miniatures game centered on combat, this spin-off allows for a more nuanced approach. While skirmishes were a key element of Rogue Trader, it appears that players can navigate many encounters through dialogue skills or keen observation in Dark Heresy.
This shift is likely advantageous, as combat currently represents the weakest aspect of the demo. The revamped armor functions as an additional health bar, akin to the mechanics in Divinity: Original Sin 2. Combat arenas feel slightly misaligned, with ranged weapons not quite performing as expected. However, the option to circumvent combat altogether offers a fresh perspective on the Warhammer experience. While a complete pacifist run may be unrealistic with the looming threat of Night Lords, it will be intriguing to see players attempt it.
With the new text box and an emphasis on detective skills, Dark Heresy bears a striking resemblance to Disco Elysium, more than I initially anticipated. In keeping with this comparison, I predict that our Kroot companion, Ra’ahkti—the standout character of the alpha—will serve a role akin to Kim Kitsuragi. With Owlcat’s promise of “kinky stuff,” it seems likely that players will have the opportunity to engage romantically with her, leaving it to the community to determine whether such interactions are deemed heretical.
