Warhammer 40,000 Dark Heresy has you step into the shoes of an Acolyte of the Inquisition, a low ranking member of the order who has been sent on a mission to investigate potential heresies, as well as assist other members of the inquisition.
This is a brief look into the initial Alpha Playtest with about 15 hours of gameplay but from what I’ve seen so far it looks very promising. A lot of people that are familiar with Rogue Trader will instantly recognise the similar gameplay style and controls but with the new investigation system being added you now must draw your own conclusions to some of the mysteries you encounter on your journey.
The investigation system in Dark Heresy has you slowly piece together the actions of others based on evidence and information that you gather while exploring the world, talking to locals (whether that be through diplomacy or blatant threats) as well as investigating potential areas of interest. This all culminates with an interactive investigation board which you can use to piece together and create reports on what you think happened however things are not always as they seem.
Dark Heresy seems to be a game that requires you to focus on the details, although, yes, you could just bumble through without paying attention. It genuinely pays to listen to what people are saying as well as focusing on the more suspicious and out of place investigation points dotted around certain areas. One set of tracks, one bit of scrap that isn’t where it’s supposed to be, one cultist who may have eavesdropped on a conversation can be the difference between finding the truth or failing the Inquisition and suffering the consequences.
The combat of Dark Heresy is intense, with each fight needing to be well thought out and planned meticulously to ensure you take the least damage while simultaneously outputting as much as you can. There’s a wide arsenal at your disposal, as well as a crack team with varied skills and abilities to help bring the enemies of mankind to their knees. You can also find yourself recruiting new members to your party in different circumstances and even work with certain Xenos if the situation calls for truly diverse combat teams.
The skills of your team doesn’t just extend to combat with each member having their own stats and individual traits allowing them to add their professional insights to your investigation as well as being able to help with obstacles and examinations while exploring the world making it a real team effort and letting you utilise everyone efficiently.
Owlcat’s Dark Heresy is shaping up to be a real gritty game with some unique edges and a well structured story to boot. I’ve found myself immediately drawn in and I’m sure when the full experience is released it will certainly be one you won’t want to miss.
There is currently no release date for Dark Heresy but you can check out the Dark Heresy website for further information as well as taking a look at becoming a supporter for the game.
