During the Warhammer Skulls showcase, Owlcat games revealed their new upcoming CRPG set in the Warhammer 40K universe: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy. While still supporting their previous CRPG, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Owlcat are busy working on Dark Heresy, another party-based adventure, this time exploring the brutal, unflinching bureaucracy of the Inquisition.
Based on the legendary Dark Heresy TTRPG setting, Owlcat’s RPG will cast the player as an acolyte of the Inquistion, which to the uninitiated is like the Warhammer 40K version of the Gestapo, a powerful force designed and cultivated to uphold the Emperor’s law throughout the galaxy by any means necessary.
Despatched with a disparate, hand-picked group of mercenaries and warriors, you’ll be exploring the deadly Calixis Sector. Billed as story-rich and narrative-driven, Dark Heresy’s use of an Inquisitor as a protagonist will grant it much the same narrative freedoms as Rogue Traders, allowing for a diverse mix of classes and races to join your party. Featuring a deadly jungle fighter from the Death World of Catachan, a Kroot mercenary of the Tau Empire, an Ogryn brute, and even a Drukhari, the party in Dark Heresy has massive potential to deliver surprising twist at every turn. You can view the announcement trailer below:
One of the most intriguing elements is the setting, as Dark Heresy will dive into the mysteries of the Tyrant Star, an anomalous black star that is said to herald the destruction of the Imperium of Man. We haven’t seen many story details yet, but given Owlcat’s impressive pedigree and masterful handling of the setting in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, we’re fairly confident that whatever they’re cooking up will be worth exploring.
With fully voiced dialogue, an expansive setting, diverse player characters and Owlcat’s deft direction, Dark Heresy aims to build upon the foundations laid in Rogue Trader to deliver a brutal new story in in Games Workshop’s grimdark universe.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is set to release on PC some time in 2025.
