Owlcat Games has released a significant update for its role-playing game, Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader, aimed at enhancing the experience of the recently launched expansion, Lex Imperialis.
The new update, version 1.4.1, introduces several key changes that improve gameplay and address previous concerns. This update arrives just over a year after a major patch in February 2023, which was one of the largest ever issued by Owlcat. While this latest update does not warrant a free character respec, it brings notable advancements beyond minor fixes.
One of the most significant changes in the update is the earlier introduction of the new party character, the Arbites officer Solomorne Anthar. Players can begin his recruitment mission at the start of Act II, allowing those who have progressed further to pursue Anthar and his Cyber Mastiff companion after a few warp jumps. This adjustment aims to enhance the narrative flow of the game.
New Features and Narrative Enhancements
In addition to the recruitment changes, the update facilitates the inclusion of The Heartless, a new escort ship for the player’s fleet, from Act II onwards. This addition alters the story trajectory slightly, but Owlcat has implemented “narrative adjustments” to ensure continuity.
The update also enriches Solomorne’s character with additional dialogue, allowing him to express opinions on decisions made regarding the colonies he invests in. Furthermore, dialogues related to characters and locations introduced in the Lex Imperialis expansion have been improved for a more cohesive storytelling experience.
Numerous mechanical adjustments have been made to enhance gameplay. For example, the Cyber Mastiff’s ‘Terror Battle’ mode now stacks up to 100 times, while its regeneration ability has been fine-tuned to interact with multiple effects, including warp burning. An array of in-game items has also seen adjustments, such as an increased area of effect for the vindicator flamer, leading to more extensive damage.
Quality Improvements and Community Feedback
Owlcat has addressed numerous user interface and localization issues, along with minor tweaks to cooperative play. One notable change prevents cooperative players from interacting with each other’s familiars, a decision likely welcomed by fans of the lore.
These updates aim to enhance the player experience and potentially elevate the current ‘Mixed’ rating of the Lex Imperialis DLC on Steam. While the changes are promising, many players hope that Owlcat will strive for a more polished launch state in future releases. Despite the complexity involved in developing such ambitious games, the expectation remains that quality should be a priority from the outset.
As the gaming community continues to engage with Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader, this update represents Owlcat’s commitment to improving their titles and responding to player feedback.
