Experience “Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader”! Enjoy classic TRPG with the latest graphics – GAME Watch

A preliminary hands-on event for “Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader”, a computer RPG (hereinafter referred to as cRPG) for PlayStation 5/Xbox Series It was held on the 17th. The location is “Warhammer Store & Cafe Tokyo,” a store specializing in “Warhammer” related hobbies in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The price for the Japanese version of this work has not yet been determined.

“Warhammer 40,000” (Warhammer 40K), which used miniatures made of metal and resin and was popular as a tabletop RPG in the past and is now a war game, is set in the distant future and is a game where players are exhausted by endless battles. It is a game culture that depicts an epic battle between the declining human civilization and the aliens (Xenos) surrounding them and the “Chaos” who try to drag the universe into a whirlpool of destruction.

In this work “Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader”, players become “Rogue Traders” (free pioneers) who trade and cultivate to expand the reach of humanity in the “Warhammer 40K” world, and set out into a dark space infested with foreign enemies. . While the current miniature game “Warhammer 40K” is a wargame depicting a clash between large armies, “Rogue Trader” is a classic RPG where you play a series of small battles, increase your allies, and grow your character. is.

cRPG is an abbreviation for “computer RPG” and is the genre name used to distinguish it from TRPGs and board games. What I was able to experience this time was part of the tutorial stage and character creation. Let’s check it out with actual play photos. Please note that the translation is currently in beta and may change in the final version.

The main character is neither a superman nor a god, but an “ordinary soldier”

The game begins with character creation. In character creation, the setting is created from the place where the main character was born. Choose a place where you were born, such as a “dead planet” full of dangerous foreign enemies or a “void ship” sailing across the stars, and learn about your accomplishments, your experience at rock bottom, and what is called “doctrine”. Create your individuality by selecting a so-called skill tree. These parts have a strong TRPG feel, and it’s easy to feel like you’re creating your own character.

“Doctrine” is roughly divided into “Fighter” who is good at close combat, “Leader” who is good at increasing the status of allies (buff), “Adept” who attacks by manipulating supernatural phenomena and performs reconnaissance, and “Adept” who is good at shooting. Marksman”. As you grow further through battles, you can choose another doctrine.

After completing detailed status adjustments, it is decided to “board”. This game also features anti-ship battles in outer space, so it’s best to make sure the ship you’re on is cool. This time, I chose the “Sword Class” with its large sharp horns, the “Falchion Class” with a large statue on the bridge, and the “Firestorm Class” which seemed to have high transport capacity, and I was able to name it myself. During my experience, I was only able to check the appearance and minor settings. Character creation is now complete and you can proceed to the tutorial.

Classic adventure-style conversation system and modern combat system

The dialogue system in this game is lined with windows with facial graphics, dialogue, and choices reminiscent of classic adventure games. When you hover over technical terms highlighted in orange, a short explanation will appear. This specification is also pleasing to experienced “Warhammer” players. The “Warhammer” series has a lot of technical terms such as “imperium,” “chaos,” and “warp,” which are sure to confuse beginners as well as experts, so you can understand the worldview well. A very nice point is that explanations are provided throughout the book.

Hover your cursor over technical terms to check the explanation.

There is also a function to display flavor text on objects placed in various places on the map, providing a sufficient sense of immersion.

There are several combat tutorials in the experience area, where “mechanized slaves” (Servitors) run away, and heretics (cultists) who believe in the “Chaos” gods who take advantage of humans’ weaknesses and control them attack. , depicts how the main character gradually gets caught up in a larger conspiracy.

The combat system is similar to a strategy game in which characters who take the initiative fight against enemy and ally. They move as many squares as their movement power allows them to engage in close combat, firefights, and attacks using supernatural abilities. In this respect, it is similar to “Kill Team”, which is a small-scale battle in the miniature game “Warhammer 40K”, and the fact that the battle is depicted on a small scale with dynamic characters in the image is different from miniature games. .

Characters have movement power (MP) and action power (AP), which allow them to move, attack, and perform other actions. Characters have special abilities depending on their doctrine, and can use tactics only once per battle, such as “Prepare for impact!” to increase evasion power. Also, the weapons you equip have special abilities. Depending on the battle situation, you can use these abilities to your advantage in battle, such as “Mow”, which inflicts a bleeding effect on the enemy, and “Slash”, which attacks 3 squares in front of you.

You can also increase your defense power by hiding behind obstacles, and the idea of ​​“hiding and shooting” and “fighting by combining character abilities and weapon abilities” is similar to miniature games. Shooting is not limited to normal bullets, but there are effects depending on the bullets such as exploding “bolters” and “plasma”, and for players of the miniature game “Warhammer 40K”, the miniatures they control actually move and fight. You can also feel that you are there.

It also depicts how the number of friends gradually increases and their power increases. New companions join the ship, including the Imperial Navy officer “Abelard”, the psyker “Idira”, and “Sister Argenta” of “Adepta Sororitas”, a gathering of battle nuns (battle sisters). It’s really fun to see how the fighting style changes every time.

Especially when Sister Argenta is on board, the unrivaled look is a must-see.

There isn’t much information gained from the experience, but in the main story, you will immerse yourself in a big drama in the space called “Coronas Expanse” with a total of 10 friends full of individuality. I can’t wait for the release date on December 7th.