Deal | Best Steam price yet: 130-hour CRPG drops to all-time low
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, developed by Owlcat Games – known for Pathfinder: Kingmaker and similar titles – is the first classic CRPG set in the Warhammer 40K universe. Staying true to the genre, it features an isometric view, turn-based tactical combat and a deep choice system that shapes the story. You play as a Rogue Trader, a powerful expedition leader granted broad authority by the Emperor, exploring the lawless fringes of the galaxy. Along the way, you trade, fight and forge alliances – either in service of the Imperium or in pursuit of your own ambition. In true 40K fashion, you’ll encounter zealous Inquisitors, heretics, Eldar, Chaos cults and more. Your decisions not only drive the narrative but also impact your companions' loyalty and your standing within the Imperium.
The game features partially non-linear missions with optional planets to explore, layered conflicts and moral choices that shape the journey. Rogue Trader uses a turn-based combat system built around action points, cover mechanics and unique abilities. You command a diverse crew of Imperial officers, psykers, xenos warriors and mercenaries – each with their own backstories, motivations and development paths that players can influence. Visually, the CRPG adopts an isometric 2.5D style, combining richly detailed environments with the signature grimdark aesthetic of the 40K universe. Rounding out the experience is a two-player co-op mode – entirely free of microtransactions.
Ratings: Strong atmosphere and solid combat, but story falls short
In its German review, 4Players praised Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader for its complex and tactically deep combat system that allows for a wide range of strategic approaches. With five expansive chapters and a total playtime of up to 130 hours (according to GameStar), the game offers content on par with Baldur’s Gate 3. The grim atmosphere of the Warhammer 40K universe is captured with great attention to detail – especially the portrayal of the Imperium's religious fanaticism. A large cast of heroes with distinct specializations, combined with a faction-based reputation system, adds meaningful depth and a strong sense of player freedom to the overall experience.
However, 4Players noted that Rogue Trader struggles with a clunky narrative, marked by lengthy text passages, minimal presentation and limited voice acting. The difficulty of battles can also feel unbalanced at times. Technical issues – such as broken line-of-sight mechanics and occasional bugs – were also reported. Despite these drawbacks, the CRPG earned a solid 8 out of 10 from 4Players. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 78, with players echoing that sentiment through an identical User Score of 7.8. On Steam, the game has received around 21,000 reviews, with 84% rating it positively.
50% off on Steam – best deal to date
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader was released in December 2023 and is typically priced at around $50 on Steam. For the first time, it’s available at a 50% discount, bringing the price down to approximately $25. This offer runs until May 29 and, according to SteamDB, marks the lowest price the game has seen to date.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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