# Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (video game)
**Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader** is a turn-based computer role-playing game developed and published by Owlcat Games, released on December 7, 2023 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and later for [Nintendo Switch 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/nintendo-switch-2)[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?curator_clanid=44032507&l=english) • [2](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sci-fi-rpgs/). Owlcat describes it as the first classic roleplaying game with turn-based combat set in the [Warhammer 40,000](https://www.edgepedia.org/warhammer-40-000) universe, and it adapts Fantasy Flight Games' pen-and-paper *Rogue Trader* RPG[3](https://owlcat.games/news/70?mobile-app=true&theme=dark) • [4](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / publisher | Owlcat Games, made in close partnership with Games Workshop[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?curator_clanid=44032507&l=english) |
| Release | December 7, 2023 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X\|S); Nintendo Switch 2 later[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?curator_clanid=44032507&l=english) • [2](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sci-fi-rpgs/) |
| Setting | The Koronus Expanse, a barely charted, perilous frontier region of the Imperium of Man[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?curator_clanid=44032507&l=english) |
| Campaign length | 50 to 100 hours per the developer[5](https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k-rogue-trader/review) |
| Morality system | Three independent Conviction tracks: Iconoclast, Heretical, and Dogmatic[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/) |
| Expansions | Void Shadows (September 24, 2024), Lex Imperialis (June 24, 2025), The Infinite Museion (June 11, 2026)[7](https://store.steampowered.com/dlc/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?l=english) • [8](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/62) |
## Premise and story
The player takes the role of a Rogue Trader, a holder of an Imperial Warrant of Trade who reigns over a merchant empire and explores the fringes of Imperial space with the Emperor's blessing[3](https://owlcat.games/news/70?mobile-app=true&theme=dark). The title is inherited: the player character becomes the heir of Theodora von Valancius, head of a large dynasty based in the Koronus Expanse, after her death aboard her voidship[9](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review). In the prologue, Theodora's head of spies, Kunrad Voigtvir, stages a coup with the help of warp entities during a trip through the Warp, the alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel[10](https://rpgamer.com/review/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/).
From there the Lord-Captain commands a gargantuan voidship with a crew that has lived aboard for generations, gathers companions including a Space Marine, an Aeldari Ranger, and a Sister of Battle, and makes decisions that ripple across entire star systems[3](https://owlcat.games/news/70?mobile-app=true&theme=dark). Reviewers noted that the player-character ranks among the most important people in the setting from the outset, not through prophecy but through inheritance and connection[9](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review).
## Gameplay
**Combat.** Ground combat is turn-based on a grid, which TechRadar described as a combination of [XCOM](https://www.edgepedia.org/xcom) and [Baldur's Gate 3](https://www.edgepedia.org/baldurs-gate-3), with cover, hit-chance information, and friendly fire[4](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review) • [5](https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k-rogue-trader/review). A Momentum mechanic fills as the player deals damage and drains when the party takes damage or is outflanked, unlocking powerful abilities when full[4](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review). Up to six party members can fight in any encounter[9](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review).
Character building combines an [Archetype](https://www.edgepedia.org/archetype) (the class analog) with a [Homeworld](https://www.edgepedia.org/homeworld) and an Origin, so that, for example, a Psyker Officer plays very differently from a Noble Officer; from level 16 characters can multiclass into linked archetypes[9](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review) • [5](https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k-rogue-trader/review). Ability descriptions include explicit stat formulas, a depth several reviewers found daunting[5](https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k-rogue-trader/review).
**Space and empire.** Space combat plays out on a flat 2D plane, with cruisers firing broadsides in arcs reminiscent of the tabletop game Battlefleet Gothic; companions assigned to ship stations provide cooldown abilities such as short-range warp jumps[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/). The player also builds a network of colony worlds through project trees, and wealth is represented by a Profit Factor rather than a currency amount, governing what the Rogue Trader can requisition from factions[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/) • [9](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review). Warp travel between systems triggers text-adventure events with consequences such as lost crew or sealed ship sections[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/).
**Convictions.** Instead of a D&D-style alignment system, choices feed three independent morality tracks: Iconoclast for compassion, Heretical for dabbling in Chaos, and Dogmatic for zealous Imperial values. Puritan characters are Dogmatic, while Heretics and Iconoclasts are both considered Radical[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/) • [9](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review).
## Reception
At launch, critics praised the atmosphere and writing but criticized bugs and complexity. The game held a Metacritic aggregate of 74, with [PC Gamer](https://www.edgepedia.org/pc-gamer) scoring it 59/100 and IGN, Screen Rant, NME, and The Gamer each awarding 4/5 or 8/10[11](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/review-roundup-for-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader/1100-6519752/). IGN's review called it a "130-hour space epic with excellent writing and combat"[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?curator_clanid=44032507&l=english).
The launch build suffered broken quests, stuck cutscenes, and stability problems that worsened in Act III and later[12](https://playwanderer.online/game-reviews/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader). Owlcat issued large patches through 2024: update 1.2.0.25 in June 2024 contained over 2,500 changes and granted a free one-time respecialization[13](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/38), and update 1.3 followed in December 2024[14](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/45). By mid-2026 the game held a "Very Positive" Steam rating from close to 47,000 reviews[12](https://playwanderer.online/game-reviews/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader).
The game joined Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series S/X and PC in February 2025[15](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news).
The Nintendo Switch 2 port launched poorly; Nintendo Life rated it 4/10, citing stuttering frame rate, long loading times, and hard crashes. In July 2026 Owlcat released a major performance patch and made all DLC free on Switch 2 as an apology[16](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/07/exclusive-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-receives-massive-patch-on-switch-2-all-dlc-now-free).
## Post-launch content
Three story expansions have been released. **Void Shadows** (September 24, 2024) explores the von Valancius flagship and adds a romanceable companion, with about 15 hours of gameplay[7](https://store.steampowered.com/dlc/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?l=english). **Lex Imperialis** (June 24, 2025), the second story expansion, adds the Adeptus Arbites faction, a new companion, and Familiars[7](https://store.steampowered.com/dlc/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?l=english). **The Infinite Museion** (June 11, 2026) sends players into the vault of Trazyn the Infinite, with augmentations and a choice to serve or oppose the collector[8](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/62). Both expansions in the first Season Pass must be experienced from a new playthrough, since their content is threaded into the campaign rather than appended[17](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/if-youve-been-putting-off-rogue-trader-until-patches-and-dlc-make-it-better-nows-finally-the-time-to-jump-in/). A free collaboration DLC with Fatshark, The Shovel DLC, brought a weapon from [Warhammer 40,000: Darktide](https://www.edgepedia.org/warhammer-40-000-darktide) into the game in April 2025[7](https://store.steampowered.com/dlc/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?l=english).
## Legacy
Rogue Trader established Owlcat's partnership with [Games Workshop](https://www.edgepedia.org/games-workshop): in May 2025 the studio announced a second Warhammer 40,000 CRPG, **Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy**, casting the player as an Inquisitor in the Calixis Sector, promised as a more condensed game with more roleplaying flexibility[18](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/51) • [19](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/warhammer-40k-dark-heresy-might-just-have-everything-i-want-from-a-crpg/). Critics have since ranked Rogue Trader among the best CRPGs on [Steam](https://www.edgepedia.org/steam-service) and among the strongest Warhammer 40,000 video games[20](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-steam-games/) • [21](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review).
## References
1. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?curator_clanid=44032507&l=english)
2. [10 Best sci-fi RPGs to play in 2026, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sci-fi-rpgs/)
3. [Owlcat Games Announces Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, June 1, 2022](https://owlcat.games/news/70?mobile-app=true&theme=dark)
4. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader review, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review)
5. [Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader review in progress, Wargamer](https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k-rogue-trader/review)
6. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader review, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/)
7. [Steam DLC Page: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader](https://store.steampowered.com/dlc/2186680/Warhammer_40000/?l=english)
8. [The Infinite Museion DLC is out now!, Owlcat news](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/62)
9. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Review, RPG Site](https://www.rpgsite.net/review/16164-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review)
10. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Review, RPGamer](https://rpgamer.com/review/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review/)
11. [Review Roundup For Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/review-roundup-for-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader/1100-6519752/)
12. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader review, Wanderer](https://playwanderer.online/game-reviews/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader)
13. [Rogue Trader 1.2.0.25 Patch Notes, Owlcat news](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/38)
14. [Update 1.3 is live!, Owlcat news](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/45)
15. [News, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader official site](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news)
16. [Exclusive: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Receives Massive Patch On Switch 2, All DLC Now Free, Nintendo Life](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/07/exclusive-warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-receives-massive-patch-on-switch-2-all-dlc-now-free)
17. [If you've been putting off Rogue Trader until patches and DLC make it better, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/if-youve-been-putting-off-rogue-trader-until-patches-and-dlc-make-it-better-nows-finally-the-time-to-jump-in/)
18. [Announcing Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, Owlcat news](https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/51)
19. [Warhammer 40k: Dark Heresy might just have everything I want from a CRPG, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/warhammer-40k-dark-heresy-might-just-have-everything-i-want-from-a-crpg/)
20. [The 25 best Steam games to play right now, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-steam-games/)
21. [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader review, Windows Central](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/warhammer-40000-rogue-trader-review)
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