Summary
- Dark Heresy is a new CRPG set in the Calixis Sector, offering investigative gameplay and fully voiced characters.
- Players take on the role of an Inquisition acolyte, navigating political situations and uncovering conspiracies.
- The game will feature turn-based combat with a new morale system, diverse companions, and enemies like the Tau and Chaos.
With the recent announcement of Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy during Games Workshop's annual Skulls reveal show, fans of 40k video games have another high-quality title to be excited about. Developed by Owlcat Games, the creators of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, this new title promises to be another epic CRPG adventure across the grimdark future of the 41st millennium.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy - Official Announcement Trailer
Watch the official announcement trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, a party-based, story-driven CRPG developed by Owlcat Games.
Dark Heresy is based on a 2008 tabletop RPG of the same name, with players taking on the role of an acolyte of the Inquisition. While only a small amount of gameplay and information has been revealed so far, this small morsel has given players an exciting look into the future game. Owlcat Games has quickly become a major name in the world of Warhammer video games, and Dark Heresy looks set to solidify this status with new, deeply immersive gameplay and fully voiced characters.
1 The Calixis Sector
Explore A Cursed Area Of Space
Like the tabletop RPG, Dark Heresy is set in the Calixis Sector, an area of the Milky Way galaxy located in the Segmentum Obscurus in the far galactic North. Due to the area's proximity to the Eye of Terror, a colossal warp rift where the forces of Chaos reside, the Calixis Sector is prone to daemonic incursions and Chaos attacks. This has only increased since the formation of the great rift that tore the galaxy in two.
In addition, players are set to investigate the mysterious Tyrant Star that can be found in the Calixis Sector. The Hereticus Tenebrae, also known as The Tyrant Star, is a dark stellar anomaly that appears at random in different locations and always heralds a planet's doom. The existence of this Black Dwarf star, along with the Inquisition's interest in the prophecy surrounding it, will likely be key to the narrative of Dark Heresy.
2 The Inquisition
The Secretive & Feared Organization
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy revolves around the Inquisition. This powerful faction is tasked with seeking out and stopping the many dangers that threaten humanity, often with fanatical zeal. This is one of the most secretive and dangerous factions within the Imperium. They enjoy almost unrivaled power and access, and have the authority to destroy entire planets if it aids their goals.
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Dark Heresy promises players an in-depth look into the Inquisition organization with “its power, bureaucracy, and inner conflicts laid bare.” This statement hints that, like in Rogue Trader, players must navigate various political situations and gain allies and enemies within the Inquisition itself.
3 Investigation Mechanics
Uncover Hidden Secrets
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader offered players a vast and immersive story, filled with warring factions and hidden secrets. Dark Heresy looks to be building on this narrative style even further, with players taking on the role of an investigator.
The game's description states players will “Uncover nefarious plots, interrogate suspects, and piece together conspiracies in a deep investigation system.” These exciting new mechanics may offer complex narrative possibilities, with different outcomes relying on the information the player gathers. Dark Heresy is poised to be a deeply immersive experience with an untold number of outcomes ready for players to discover.
4 Career Path
Create A Unique Character
Much like in Rogue Trader, Dark Heresy will likely offer players a variety of options when creating their character. Starting as an Inquisition Acolyte, players will choose different career paths and rise through the ranks of the Inquisition, with each path offering different abilities and proficiencies.
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While Dark Heresy, the video game, is likely to differ from Dark Heresy, the tabletop RPG, fans can be close to certain that some of the known career paths will be available in the game. In the tabletop RPG, players can choose from either an Adept, Arbitrator, Assassin, Cleric, Guardsman, Imperial Psyker, Scum, Tech-Priest, Adepta Sororitas, or Grey Knight. While fans don’t know which of these will be available in the video game, these offer players an exciting variety of story-changing playstyles and powerful abilities.
5 Combat & Morale System
Battle The Enemies Of Humanity
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader offers players in-depth combat mechanics through various characters and classes. Using a turn-based system, players can strategize the best way to approach any dangerous situation with numerous abilities and weapons available to aid in the fighting.
Dark Heresy is set to build on this, using the same style of turn-based combat. However, this time, a Morale system is being introduced over Rogue Trader’s Momentum. Players will need to manage their party’s morale, which becomes vital during combat encounters to boost combat efficiency. How deep this morale system goes beyond combat, fans have yet to find out. However, Dark Heresy promises “complex yet elegant systems” that hint at some intriguing possibilities for combat encounters.
6 Companions
Revealed Allies
Companions are a major part of any CRPG experience, with different characters offering unique abilities in combat and fun storylines to explore. Dark Heresy is no different, with five of the game’s diverse playable companions already revealed.
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Epione Spes is an Inquisition acolyte and the party's healer. Haymar Devos is a combat specialist and a member of the elite Catachan jungle fighters. Conscript O-118-B, simply known as Cogg, is a large and powerful Ogryn, a subspecies of human tolerated by the Imperium. Ra’akhti is a xenos mercenary of the predatory Kroot race. These avian-like creatures can evolve after consuming genetic material. Lastly, Laarthyr Cairnareth is an Aeldari Corsair and a powerful psyker who has entered into a dangerous alliance with the Inquisition.
7 Enemies Of The Imperium
Overwhelming Evil
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy will likely feature a diverse army of enemies that players must battle. The 40k setting has no shortage of inhuman monstrosities to feature in the future game. However, Owlcat has already revealed some of the dangerous foes players will face.
In the trailer, players were treated to a few glimpses of gameplay, which included battles with the Kroot. These carnivorous xenos are known members of the Tau Empire and are used as savage frontline warriors in battle. This may hint that the Tau will also play a major role in Dark Heresy’s story. Also revealed in the trailer were the forces of Chaos. This took the form of a deformed mutant spawn that breathes fire and a terrifying Night Lord Space Marine. The Night Lords are masters of fear and pain and are set to be a major enemy in Dark Heresy’s story.
- Created by
- Rick Priestley
- Video Game(s)
- Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Warhammer 40000 Mechanicus, Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus, Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr, Warhammer 40,000: Deathwatch, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef, Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters
- Creation Year
- 1987