Owlcat releases Dark Heresy trailer focused on detective gameplay
In short
Owlcat Games published a new gameplay trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy centred on the game's investigation mechanics. Players take the role of an acolyte of the Imperial Inquisition in the Calixis Sector, gathering evidence, questioning characters and deciding who is guilty. Platforms listed are PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series; no release date has been announced.
Read the full story 1 min read
Owlcat Games has published a new gameplay trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy devoted to the game's detective mechanics. Three games outlets reported the trailer, describing a party-based role-playing game in which the player is an acolyte of the Imperial Inquisition operating in the Calixis Sector. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to 3DNews and StopGame, investigations range from minor cases to ones with consequences for the whole sector. Players collect evidence, compare facts, analyse contradictions, track and interrogate characters, and then decide who will face the anger of the Holy Ordos. The developers' own framing, quoted by 3DNews, is that the search for an answer “порой и вовсе ненужная”, and that “виновным можно сделать кого угодно”. [ 1 , 3 ]
Companions assist the acolyte, 3DNews reported: Epiona has medical knowledge, Heimar is a survival expert and Laartir can advise on the behaviour of xenos, with a swarm of servo-skulls also listed as a helper in investigations. The game is being made for PC via Steam, GOG and Epic Games Store, and for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, with Russian text localisation and voiced dialogue promised. [ 1 ]
The documents do not agree on every detail of the game's presentation, though no outlet contradicts another on the trailer itself. Igromania gave only a short summary of the trailer. StopGame stated that the game still has no release dates, while 3DNews did not address timing at all. StopGame also reported that Owlcat Games is running a closed beta that anyone who pre-ordered the game on the studio's official site can join. [ 2 , 3 ]
3DNews described Owlcat Games as a Cyprus-based studio with Russian roots. The trailer shows only the investigation system, and no outlet reported a release window or a beta end date. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The trailer is the most detailed look so far at how the party-based RPG handles investigations, a mechanic the developers are presenting as central rather than incidental. Owlcat Games is currently running a closed beta, suggesting the game is in a later stage of development, though no release window has been given.
Key facts
- Owlcat Games released a new gameplay trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy dedicated to its detective system. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Players take the role of an acolyte of the Imperial Inquisition, and their actions affect the fate of the Calixis Sector. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Investigations involve collecting evidence, comparing facts, talking to characters, tracking, interrogating and accusing. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The developers said guilt does not always depend on the truth: “виновным можно сделать кого угодно”. [ 1 ]
- Companions assist the acolyte, among them Epiona (medicine), Heimar (survival) and Laartir (knowledge of xenos). [ 1 ]
- The game is in development for PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. [ 1 , 3 ]
- No release date has been announced, and a closed beta is under way for players who pre-ordered on the studio's official site. [ 3 ]
- Russian text localisation and voiced dialogue are promised. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Owlcat Games released a new gameplay trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy focused on the detective/investigation mechanic. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The game is a party-based RPG set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe in which the player is an acolyte of the Inquisition. [ 1 , 3 ]
- It is being developed for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether a release date has been set at all StopGame states there are still no release dates, and no other document gives one.
- Details of the closed beta, such as its start date or scope Only one document mentions the beta and gives no further detail.
- The full list and roles of the acolyte's companions Only 3DNews names companions, and only three of them.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 3DNews publishes a detailed report on the detective-system trailer, naming companions and listing platforms and localisation. [ 1 ]
- Igromania notes that a new trailer devoted to the detective component has been released. [ 2 ]
- StopGame reports on the investigation-system trailer and states that no release date exists and a closed beta is under way. [ 3 ]