REVIEW – Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader has never lacked for hard-hitting, dark, bone-crunching tales, but with the Lex Imperialis DLC, galactic justice reaches a new level. You’re no longer just some Imperial hustler wheeling and dealing in the stars—now you’re the Emperor’s judge, jury, and executioner. Solomorne, the grizzled, battle-scarred Arbites, and his loyal cyber-mastiff Glaito don’t just add flavor to your crew—they bring a tougher, morally uncompromising outlook that not everyone will appreciate. Lex Imperialis isn’t just a throwaway add-on: this is a meaty, 12-16 hour story expansion, where you’ll be wrestling with Imperial pencil-pushers, scheming planetary governors, and plenty of in-house crew drama. The real question: is this a bold new direction for Owlcat’s classic CRPG, or just another layer on an old skeleton?

At first glance, Lex Imperialis is pure fanservice: you’re not just another Imperial buddy—you’re the one calling the shots as an interstellar lawman. Solomorne joins your crew right at the end of Act One (thank you, patch 1.4.1!), and you can’t just sideline his arc—it’s tightly woven into the main campaign. The new Arbites origin genuinely shakes things up: your answers, dialogue, even your crew’s attitude toward you, all feel fresh—like you’re kicking off a whole new playthrough. From the start, it’s clear you’re not just getting a new NPC, but a totally different worldview—one that’s thrilling, sometimes exhausting, especially if you’d grown used to the “band of brothers” from Void Shadows.

Arbites: More Than Just Armor and a Shock Maul—Meet the Real Enforcer

Solomorne doesn’t just kick in the door—he kicks it in both literally and figuratively. He spares no one: not the Rogue Trader, not the crew, and he can turn your whole morality system upside down. Glaito, the cyber-mastiff, isn’t just cute—he’s a legit powerhouse in combat and totally shakes up your party’s dynamic (“one of the coolest animal companions in CRPG history,” according to the forums). Gamesear called it out: “Every choice carries weight—sometimes so much weight, you feel like whichever side you pick, you’re going to get burned.”

Lex Imperialis is all about upholding order in the galaxy—but you quickly learn that “order” is as gray as the void. Corruption, double-crosses, betrayals at every corner, and the political games run deep: “Some of the galaxy’s biggest gangsters wear the cleanest uniforms,” as Windows Central put it. The new origin and dialogue system truly breathe new life into the familiar story. Reddit’s buzzing: “Playing Arbites led me to make totally different choices—felt like I was a whole new character.”

Gameplay: Fresh Twists, Old Bugs, and That Classic Owlcat Chaos

Thankfully, Owlcat didn’t just mess with the story: new familiars (cyber-eagle, psyche-raven, servo-skull swarm), new combat skills, and even better ship battles all get plenty of praise. Of course, bugs are still part of the package: some cutscenes needed a triple reload, a save or two might freeze, but at least the patches are finally fixing most of the pain points. As one GOG user said, “My second playthrough was finally not a bug-fest, but a real CRPG experience.”

Solomorne and Glaito are more than just “talking set pieces”—they’re real party members, constantly chiming in on events, sometimes lecturing the crew, and sparking heated debates at key decision points. This focus on party banter and dynamics puts Lex Imperialis closer to Mass Effect than any prior Warhammer adaptation—this is major league stuff.

Shorter, But the Drama Hits Hard—This DLC’s a Sprint, Not a Marathon

A lot of players have pointed out that Lex Imperialis is shorter than Void Shadows, and they’re not wrong—a seasoned player can finish the whole DLC in 12-16 hours, and there are fewer side quests. But every decision carries extra weight; there’s no such thing as a “safe choice.” You’ll have to work through some nasty moral traps, and the game will remember every move. The new Arbites origin is a real gameplay revolution: it’s not just a cosmetic change, but opens up whole new strategies—finally, it’s not all about being the Inquisitor, you can really play the “by the book” cop.

Steam reviews say it best: “Not many new locations, a shorter main story, sometimes a bit too straightforward, but because of the characters and decisions, it’s still worth playing to the end.” It’s sitting at 67% positive, but everyone’s raving about the new morality system and that grimmer, more serious vibe.

Lore, Atmosphere, Worldbuilding—Darkness Is Your Friend

Owlcat has always been a worldbuilding powerhouse (see: Pathfinder), but in Lex Imperialis, the darkness of Warhammer 40K is more than just set dressing—it’s the core of the experience. As Gamesear puts it: “The DLC’s biggest strength is how it makes you question everything you thought you knew about good and evil—here, it’s all shades of gray, no clean slates.” Conflicts between characters, real consequences, in-party drama—this is mature, grown-up CRPG storytelling, not a cartoon for kids. Every step feels like you’re living out harsh fates in the Emperor’s long shadow.

The atmosphere, music, and visuals all take a step up: “This isn’t just a DLC—it’s a dark, space-bureaucracy novel packed into digital pages.” (RPGWatch)

Who’s It For?

Lex Imperialis isn’t everyone’s cup of recaf. If you preferred the sandbox, intrigue-driven feel of Void Shadows, this tighter, drama-focused story might not hit you the same way—but here, every answer comes back to haunt you, and the game relentlessly tracks your moral path. The bugs are getting fixed, the companions are strong, and the new decision system is a real breath of fresh air for the genre.

If you’re into deeper, conflict-driven narratives where there’s no real right or wrong, just choices, Lex Imperialis is a must. If you just want another power fantasy Warhammer DLC, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if the darkness doesn’t scare you—and you care about story above all—this is a package you shouldn’t pass up.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Developer: Owlcat Games
Publisher: Owlcat Games
Genre: Turn-based CRPG, story expansion
Release date: June 24, 2025.