Owlcat Reveals New Look into Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy in Recent Dev Diary
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:25 pm
Today, publisher Owlcat Games invites future acolytes to take a look behind-the-scenes of upcoming party-based tactical cRPG Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy in the newly released dev diary. Based on one of the most iconic role-playing systems in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Dark Heresy depicts the dark, hopeless, gothic face of the Imperium, seen through the lens of the Inquisition. Read on to learn how the team took what they learned from Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader and built upon it, revealing innovative changes, fresh game mechanics, and how they went about crafting this title’s distinctive tone.
The world of Dark Heresy is one of decay — a crumbling empire rotting from within, steeped in fear, deception, and madness. No glory awaits for the acolytes of the Insquisition, no remembrance in death. While Rogue Traders stride boldly into the unknown — swathed in wealth and draped in ancient authority — the Inquisition's acolytes exist in silence and shadow. No voidship bears their sigil, no xenos relics line their vaults, and no riches wait at the end of their path.
Within the necrotic colossus of the Calixis Sector, players bestowed with the holy mission of rooting out heresy. Only faith can save the poisoned souls of these heretics, though xenos and daemons are not the only enemies acolytes must watch for. Dark harbingers known as Night Lords lurk in the voids, wielding weapons of unimaginable cruelty as they slay droves in the name of their Dark Gods. Survival is victory in this realm of horror, where the light of The Emperor cannot reach.
Dark Heresy peels back the veil on the Calixis Sector’s festering heart, exposing the rot born of centuries of atrocity. The decisions players will face aren’t presented as a spectrum of good and evil, but of purity versus pragmatism. This presents extremely fascinating, if not near-impossible moral dilemmas, ensuring players feel the full weight of the consequences.
In addition to the story differences players can expect in Dark Heresy, the Owlcat team also implemented updates to the combat system and introduced new game mechanics. Having listened to player feedback from Rogue Trader, the team worked on improving combat encounters and reworking the class system. Additionally, Dark Heresy will see the introduction of the Investigation mechanic — a new interactive mini-game where Inquisitors will be able to investigate crimes, analyze evidence, and dispense verdicts.
About Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
Step into the shadows as an acolyte of the Inquisition in Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, a second narrative-driven tactical RPG set in the beloved grimdark universe. Set against the backdrop of the Noctis Aeterna and the mystery of the Tyrant Star, players will lead a warband of diverse companions in a desperate battle against heresy and corruption, from loyal Imperial subjects, such as a veteran Guardsman from the death world of Catachan, to nefarious xenos, including a bird-like Kroot mercenary.
With intricate investigations, a turn-based combat system, and choices that carry grave consequences, Dark Heresy is an atmospheric dive into the brutality and mysticism of one of the Imperium’s most feared organizations. The game greatly expands on the ideas introduced in Rogue Trader and features fully voiced dialogues.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is coming to Windows PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store) and consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S). The players can add the game to their wishlist and support the development process by purchasing a Founder’s Pack on the official website.
Stay up to date with Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy by following Owlcat Games’ Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Discord, and YouTube.
The world of Dark Heresy is one of decay — a crumbling empire rotting from within, steeped in fear, deception, and madness. No glory awaits for the acolytes of the Insquisition, no remembrance in death. While Rogue Traders stride boldly into the unknown — swathed in wealth and draped in ancient authority — the Inquisition's acolytes exist in silence and shadow. No voidship bears their sigil, no xenos relics line their vaults, and no riches wait at the end of their path.
Within the necrotic colossus of the Calixis Sector, players bestowed with the holy mission of rooting out heresy. Only faith can save the poisoned souls of these heretics, though xenos and daemons are not the only enemies acolytes must watch for. Dark harbingers known as Night Lords lurk in the voids, wielding weapons of unimaginable cruelty as they slay droves in the name of their Dark Gods. Survival is victory in this realm of horror, where the light of The Emperor cannot reach.
Dark Heresy peels back the veil on the Calixis Sector’s festering heart, exposing the rot born of centuries of atrocity. The decisions players will face aren’t presented as a spectrum of good and evil, but of purity versus pragmatism. This presents extremely fascinating, if not near-impossible moral dilemmas, ensuring players feel the full weight of the consequences.
In addition to the story differences players can expect in Dark Heresy, the Owlcat team also implemented updates to the combat system and introduced new game mechanics. Having listened to player feedback from Rogue Trader, the team worked on improving combat encounters and reworking the class system. Additionally, Dark Heresy will see the introduction of the Investigation mechanic — a new interactive mini-game where Inquisitors will be able to investigate crimes, analyze evidence, and dispense verdicts.
About Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
Step into the shadows as an acolyte of the Inquisition in Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, a second narrative-driven tactical RPG set in the beloved grimdark universe. Set against the backdrop of the Noctis Aeterna and the mystery of the Tyrant Star, players will lead a warband of diverse companions in a desperate battle against heresy and corruption, from loyal Imperial subjects, such as a veteran Guardsman from the death world of Catachan, to nefarious xenos, including a bird-like Kroot mercenary.
With intricate investigations, a turn-based combat system, and choices that carry grave consequences, Dark Heresy is an atmospheric dive into the brutality and mysticism of one of the Imperium’s most feared organizations. The game greatly expands on the ideas introduced in Rogue Trader and features fully voiced dialogues.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is coming to Windows PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store) and consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S). The players can add the game to their wishlist and support the development process by purchasing a Founder’s Pack on the official website.
Stay up to date with Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy by following Owlcat Games’ Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Discord, and YouTube.