Rogue Trader’s first expansion and post-launch refinements are great additions to the 40K CRPG

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an incredibly compact and narratively satisfying game, but one that launched with some balance issues, bugs, and other bumps. As the game’s first anniversary approaches, developer Owlcat Studios has continued to build the Koronus Expanse and the adventures within it, smoothing off the launch version’s rough edges along the way. The first expansion, Void shadowsbuilds on some of my favorite parts of the original game and sets a nice foundation for future DLC.

Rogue Traders wear many hats: they serve as the vanguard of the Imperium of Man and explore unknown sectors. They are among the highest authorities of the Imperium and can take on the Inquisition or the highest officers of the Imperial Guard. A rogue trader shows this by positioning the player as planetary governor, adventurer, political player and – if necessary – judge, jury and executioner.

Void shadows builds on this nicely. I started a new save to really dive into the expansion; the quests appear automatically after Chapter 2 and throughout most of the game. This expansion largely concerns the Rogue Trader’s void as the Trader explores the distant Koronus Expanse, which lies on the edge of the Imperium’s territory and experiences battles between Xenos, the religious Ecclesiarchy, and the Administratum. The scale and scope of the 40K franchise is enormous, and so are the ships. The player’s void is the size of a city, complete with class divisions, competing ideologies, and a risk of rebellion.

It contains approximately 15 hours of new content Void shadowsand there’s a new companion: Kibellah, an assassin from the Death Cult. Kibellah is the Rogue Trader’s bodyguard and a potential romance, and she offers the very interesting perspective of someone who was born and raised and spends all their time in the bowels of a huge ship. Even seeing the upper decks, which are decked out in garish and overwrought Gothic architecture, is enough to shake her perspective. The 40K galaxy is such a vast backdrop, and it’s always fascinating to see the sub-societies forming in every dark corner.

Void shadows also introduces a Genestealer infestation aboard the Von Valancius voidship, providing another interesting enemy to spice up the midgame. Genestealers are Tyranid hybrids who slowly infiltrate sentient societies, shifting the balance of power in their favor. Ultimately, they overthrow the population and clear the way for a Tyranid tendril to come and feast on the freshly prepared tribute. It is clear that you have an interest in getting these monstrous mutineers off your ship.

While I’ve been enjoying all the new content out there Void shadows has to offer, I’m also impressed with how smooth the performance is compared to the game at launch. My first time playing through A rogue traderI ended up playing on a lower difficulty and abusing my Navigator’s completely overpowering abilities to propel combat so I could get to more sweet, sweet exploration and dialogue. Going ahead and trying to maximize my crew’s stats based on a confusing talent system was completely unappealing, and instead I just brutally pushed my way past it.

There were also some unfortunate bugs that hindered my progress, like the time I seduced Heinrix from Calox. The Inquisitorial Agent and I had some serious chemistry that eventually culminated in a spicy encounter, but afterward he was stuck in a T-pose in his underwear. I was able to get him to throw grenades onto the battlefield, but otherwise he was stuck as a big, sexy scarecrow.

Bugs like this plagued my first playthrough of A rogue traderand their absence is much appreciated. Owlcat still has a new expansion in the works A rogue traderand the developer just announced a new challenge for players, similar to Honor Mode Baldur’s Gate 3. In this mode, players are tested with one life, one save and no reloads or take-backs. The challenge will be streamed by players on Twitch from October 22 to November 4, with drops available from Owlcat Games and a prize at stake.

I enjoyed my time in the Koronus Expanse the first time, especially since then A rogue trader takes so much inspiration from the classic tabletop games in the Warhammer 40,000 setting Only war or Dark heresy. The strange, enigmatic take on 40K fiction, at the outer limits of the galaxy, is a lot of fun. I’m glad Owlcat continues to support this CRPG, as it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the gritty environment.